Our specialist Road Traffic Accident solicitors have secured a significant settlement for a police detective who suffered a brain injury and spinal fracture when he was hit by a car while out running near his home in Kent.
In 2013, John went out for a run around his regular route as part of his training for an upcoming charity event. He was about to cross the A2, a single carriage road in a built up area, when he was hit by a Mercedes CLK. The driver has been prosecuted and found guilty of dangerous driving.
John’s condition was so serious that the air ambulance crew were called, who treated him on the scene. He had sustained a severe brain injury, a C2 spinal fracture and serious orthopaedic injuries, as well as a bruised lung. He was rushed to the King’s College Hospital in a road ambulance with the helicopter crew accompanying.
After intensive surgery he was transferred from King’s College Hospital to the East Kent Neuro-Rehabilitation Unit for further rehabilitation. He was eventually allowed to return home where his wife, Rebecca, continued to care for him. He still had to wear a hard collar 24 hours a day for several months to help his spinal fracture heal.
The accident totally changed John’s way of life. At the time of the collision, John was a detective for the Metropolitan Police Service, highly trained in driving at speed and intelligence operations. He and Rebecca had only recently got married – they enjoyed travelling and had a busy social life together. Tragically, John no longer remembers his wedding day to Rebecca because of his brain injury.
John got in touch with our road traffic accident lawyers to see if they could help him get compensation for his injuries. We were able to organise a rehabilitation programme for John as soon as possible while the police investigation was on-going. This gave John a head start with his recovery and benefit from a range of therapies including neuropsychology, neuro-occupational therapy, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and neuropsychiatry.
Once the police investigation was finished, the driver’s insurers accepted that the driver was mostly to blame for the accident. Our solicitors secured John a substantial settlement from the insurers that will fund continued rehabilitation and provide financial security for the future.
John commented: “My recovery has gone through many phases but the one thing that has remained constant is the professionalism and care that Irwin Mitchell has shown to me and my wife.”
“Irwin Mitchell gave me the reassurance that I needed to be able to look forward. They identified the need for vocational support, liaised with my employer and have worked tirelessly to ensure that I have financial security in the future.”
John’s solicitor, Laura Murphy, commented: “John’s life has changed immeasurably since he sustained a severe brain injury in his collision. He had to cope with a change in status in all aspects of his life, most notably because he was a police officer, however John was forced to retire due to his extensive injuries which prevented him from being able to return to work.
“Initially, John tried a phased return to work which sadly was not sustainable in the long term, but it was a sign of John’s determination that he kept trying over a long period of time.”
“Life for me will never be the same,” said John, “but I choose to focus on the positives. It has taken me time to adjust but I am proud of my recovery and the goals that I have achieved. I survived and am embracing everything that life has to offer.”
If you have been hit by a car, our road traffic accident lawyers could help you make a compensation claim. See our Pedestrian Accident Claims page for more information.
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