Robert Nixon faced losing both of his feet after the devastating crash last year

A man left severely disabled after his car was struck by a driver using a mobile phone says he is the one with a life sentence while the guilty driver avoids prison.

Robert Nixon, from Newbury, Berkshire faced the possibility of losing one or both of his feet following the devastating crash on September 11 last year which left the bones in his heels  described by his consultant as being  “like a box of cornflakes”.  

The father-of-three instructed expert serious injury lawyers Irwin Mitchell and the law firm is now working closely with the driver’s insurers, NFU to support Robert with access to specialist rehabilitation, disability aids and any additional support he may need throughout his life.

Yesterday, the man who crashed into Robert changing his life forever, was told he would avoid jail as he was handed a 15 month sentence that was suspended for two years

Robert was travelling home from Marlborough having been out looking for his son’s birthday present when an oncoming car veered into his path resulting in the head on collision.

Robert had to be cut free from his vehicle and was conscious throughout the ordeal; pinned into his seat and helpless as he watched the first paramedics on the scene treat the other driver before more help arrived

The entrepreneur, who built his own successful tiling business, has been forced to take a back seat with work since the crash which left him hospitalised for five months and requiring months of intensive therapy. Even now, he travels to Salisbury each week for two days of rehabilitative therapy, with further surgery planned for end of this month.

Robert, who didn’t want to be pictured, said; “At the time of the accident, I was a fit 46-year-old, the sole director of my own successful business and spent quality time with my children regularly. I was happy and contented with my life, but after the crash life will now never be the same again.

“The bones in both feet were shattered.  The fragments were not big enough to pin or plate, instead I had rods put though my feet in the hope that bone regrowth would fuse them back together again.  After spending five months in hospital, I now face several more operations and another six to nine months of extensive rehabilitation to try and improve my feet.

“If ever there was proof of what driving and talking on a mobile phone can do, I am it. No sentence can equal what my family and I have been put through and continue to go through every day.

“If one good thing can come of this devastation, it would be for people to stop using mobile phones at the wheel. That one stupid decision has changed my life forever.”

As a result of Robert’s injuries, his partner Rita had no choice but to give up her much-loved job as a nursery nurse to care for him and support his business as he struggles to recover.

Robert’s relationship with his three children has also changed as he was unable to see them as often as he previously would and has missed out on family trips and holidays.

Expert Opinion

“The conviction and sentencing of the other driver is bittersweet for Robert, who’s life changing injuries impact on him far more than any sentence handed down to the guilty party.

“In truth, no one is a winner in this case. Robert must live with the consequences of someone else’s decision for the rest of his life and the other driver must live with that knowledge, as well as his own injuries.

“Robert has come a long way since the crash last year and has shown incredible strength, but understandably is still struggling to come to terms with the long-term implications of the crash.

“We will now be working with Robert to assess his needs in order to access funding for his ongoing therapy, home adaptations and any care needs he may have.” Claire Howard - Solicitor

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious back or spinal cord injury as the result of an accident, our serious injury claims team could help you claim compensation. Visit our Spinal Injury Compensation Claims page for more information.