Solicitors Speak Out Over Car Crash

Law firm Irwin Mitchell is calling for road users to take more responsibility after a driver pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving in a collision on the A1151 in Norfolk.

Barbara Brennan, from Hainford, near Norwich, suffered serious injuries and needed her leg amputating as a result of the crash, which also tragically killed her friend Joyce Ferguson, a passenger in the Brennan’s car.

The defendant, Stephen Doubleday, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving and was sentenced to 120 hours community service at Cromer Magistrates Court yesterday. He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months and was ordered to pay £85 costs.

Mrs Brennan is now seeking compensation to help with rehabilitation from her injuries, future treatment and care, and has instructed law firm Irwin Mitchell to proceed with legal action.

Mr Doubleday was attempting to overtake two cars on the A1151 near Beeston St. Lawrence when he collided head on with the Brennan’s vehicle, driven by Barbara’s husband Dennis Brennan, on 31 May 2009.

The accident left Mrs Brennan with serious neurological damage, which led to her needing a below knee amputation of her right leg. She also suffered multiple fractures to her left leg, as well as a number of minor injuries to her upper body.

Mr Brennan was also injured in the crash, suffering extensive internal and external bruising and damage to his ribs.

Mrs Brennan said: “This was a very tragic incident and has caused my family considerable stress. I suffered extremely serious injuries and our friend was killed as a result of Mr Doubleday’s actions. Our lives and the lives of Joyce’s family will never be the same again.

“I just hope this story highlights the need for care on the roads so that others don’t have to experience what we have gone through.”

Rachael Aram, the Brennan’s solicitor at Irwin Mitchell, said: “This is a deeply tragic case which would never have happened if Mr Doubleday had driven with the care and responsibility expected of road users.

“Mrs Brennan now requires help and support from others on a daily basis, and will also need a prosthetic leg and ongoing rehabilitation for her injuries, however no amount of money can ever make up for the tragedy and ordeal that they have been put through.

“Time and time again we see lives wrecked by people driving carelessly, without consideration for others. Hopefully this case will be a wake up call for others who continue to put lives at risk and will persuade them to take responsibility for the health and lives of others.”

If you have been lost a limb in an accident, find out more about amputation claims.