Whitehaven Woman Joins With Lawyers To Back Road Safety Week

An amateur cyclist who suffered a brain injury and multiple fractures after she was hit by car in Cumbria last year has joined with specialist lawyers to back Road Safety Week’s campaign for motorists to get ‘Bike Smart’.

Karen Bell, 40, from Whitehaven, was cycling home from her job at Sellafield on the A595 near Bigrigg in August 2017 when a car travelling in the opposite direction turned right across the oncoming traffic and collided with her. 

The incident left her with a serious head injury, a dislocated shoulder, cuts to her hands, neck and face and fractures to her spine, left cheekbone and ribs. 

The severity of the injuries meant that Karen was immediately airlifted to Royal Preston Hospital after the crash and she was treated on the Major Trauma ward for 10 days before being discharged.

Following the ordeal, Karen’s family instructed specialist serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help her not only gain justice regarding the incident but also secure vital funds to support her rehabilitation needs.

Now, she has joined with the legal experts to raise awareness of Road Safety Week, which is taking place from November 19th. The theme of this year’s campaign is ‘Bike Smart’ and is calling on road users to do everything they can to look out for those travelling on two wheels.

Andrew McGowan, the specialist lawyer at Irwin Mitchell’s Newcastle office who is representing Karen, said: 

Following their instruction, legal experts at Irwin Mitchell helped Karen access the services of a Brain Injury Case Manager and a therapeutic team to assist her in her recovery, with a bespoke rehabilitation package to help Karen in her recovery.

Karen said: “It is very difficult for me to look back on the crash as I do not remember any details regarding the incident itself. I recall leaving work through the security gate but my next memory is being in hospital the next day.

“The injuries I’ve suffered have completely transformed my life, as initially I was very dependent on family to do even the most basic household tasks or other activities like shopping. Blurred vision also meant I could not drive or attend work for 11 months.

“It has been an incredibly difficult year but I am delighted to have made strides with my recovery. I have recently returned to work on a phased basis, albeit in a different role and my physiotherapist is assisting me with getting back onto a bike although this isn’t going as well as I had hoped yet.

“When I heard the theme of Road Safety Week this year I knew I had to speak out about what I’ve been through. Cyclists can face massive risks on the road, but a little bit of extra vigilance from road users could make an enormous difference.

“Safety should always be the priority for road users, both in terms of keeping themselves and others protected from harm.”

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in road accident cases.