Dad Focused On Returning To Competition After Lawyers Secure Money To Fund Rehabilitation

A para-athlete seriously injured when he was hit by a car while taking part in a charity event has spoken of his determination to return to competition.

Daniel Metcalfe-Hall suffered a spinal injury and severe concussion when a car, which had attempted to overtake him on a bend, collided with a lorry before bouncing back into the path of his hand cycle. The father-of-one came to rest under the car’s bonnet

Daniel, 30, took up hand cycling after he was left paralysed in a motorbike crash in 2014.

He continues to from suffer memory loss, severe headaches and upper limb pain following the latest crash which happened on the A607 in Denton, near Grantham, last June, when he was competing in a 600-mile charity race.  

Following the collision Daniel, of Grantham, has instructed expert serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help him access the specialist support and therapies he needs to overcome the injuries he has suffered.

He has now joined his legal team at Irwin Mitchell in urging road users to look out and take extra care for disabled riders. It comes after Irwin Mitchell secured Daniel an admission of liability from the car driver’s insurance company and an interim payment to help fund his continued rehabilitation.

Expert Opinion

“The injuries Daniel suffered when taking part in the charity event have had a profound effect on him. He continues to struggle with headaches, pain in his upper limbs as well as memory loss which have impacted on his ability to live as independently as he can.

“Despite this he has shown amazing determination as he continues to focus on overcoming his injuries the best he can.

“Daniel’s case vividly highlights the need for motorists to pay attention on the roads at all times. Hand cycles are becoming more common on our roads as we embrace disability sport. I would urge road users to be careful when passing hand-cyclists to avoid these types of incidents.

“We will continue to support Daniel through his continued rehabilitation to help him to achieve his goals.” Rachel Hedley (Née Cooper) - Associate Solicitor

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in handling serious injury cases 

Before last June’s collision Daniel had applied to the British Cycling Foundation to train for the Paralympics. He attended as an instructor at the Grantham Tennis Club regularly, undertaking circuit training.

He said: “The last few months have been incredibly hard, not only for me but for my family who I have had to rely on more to help me following the collision.

“However, I don’t want to be defined by what has happened to me and want to try and live my life to the full. I want to concentrate on the future rather than dwell on what has gone. I will continue to push myself to overcome my injuries and am determined to return to competition. 

“After I was paralysed in June 2014, hand cycling has given me a purpose and a drive. I still have ambitions to compete in the Paralympics and to raise funds for charity. This is what I will be focusing on now.

“However, by speaking out I hope that motorists are aware of the need to pay attention on the roads at all times.”

The car driver involved in the collision was charged with careless driving. They originally denied the offence but changed their plea before a hearing held at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court at the end of March.

The driver was ordered to pay a total of £580 including fines and court fees and had five penalty points endorsed on their licence.