I am able to be with my family

In November 2015, a serious crash left Samantha with a brain injury and paralysed from the waist down. Now our road traffic accident solicitors are helping Samantha claim compensation and regain her active lifestyle.

At the time of the accident, Samantha was a 29 year-old hotel administrator from Inverness looking forward to her 30th birthday – which is also Christmas Day.

Samantha and her fiancé were travelling down the A835 in her fiancé’s work van. Suddenly, her fiancé lost control of the van and it rolled over twice at speed. Samantha’s seatbelt broke and she was violently thrown out of the side window.

Samantha’s brain and spine were both injured in the crash. She’s now paralysed from the waist down and needs to use a wheelchair to get around.

She got in touch with lawyers at our Glasgow office to see if we could help. After hearing her story, we go to work straight away to help Samantha get the support she needs to manage her injuries. We’ve started a compensation claim and have already secured interim payments that will help Samantha while the claim continues.

These payments have paid for an adapted car and bungalow designed for Samantha’s specific mobility needs, so she can live and get around safely and comfortably. They’re also funding 24-hour support in case Samantha needs it.

"Irwin Mitchell have given me all the legal advice I need.” said Samantha. “I felt like I had someone to help me when I have no idea who to speak to."

The car is particularly significant to Samantha as it’s helped her maintain her independence. “It allows me to visit my family which is so important,” she says.

Samantha had a very active lifestyle before the accident that included swimming, climbing, and keeping fit in the gym. And she isn’t letting her injuries hold her back now either. She’s working with Headway and Enable Scotland to support others with disabilities, and spends as much quality time as possible with her family – especially her two young nieces.

Samantha has one key message for anyone else that’s been in a serious accident: "I would advise anyone who's had an accident not to give up and just remember that the life that you had, you can have back."

If you or a loved one has been injured in a road traffic accident, our solicitors may be able to help. Contact us online or call 0370 1500 100 to find out more.

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