Relatives Instruct Lawyers To Help Woman Access Specialist Rehabilitation She Requires

The family of a woman seriously injured when she was knocked down by a driver who had suffered a partial seizure are urging others with similar conditions to seek medical advice.

The woman suffered multiple skull fractures, a bleed on the brain as well as ankle fractures when she was hit by a van while queuing outside a food bank in Kirk Hallam, Derbyshire.

The 35-year-old spent one week in intensive care following the collision. She still suffers issues associated from her injuries.

Her family have instructed expert serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help her access the specialist rehabilitation and support she requires because of her injuries. 

The woman’s mother also suffered minor injuries in the collision. They don’t want to be named.

The sister is now using Road Safety Week to speak for the first time about the impact the collision has had on her family. She is also encouraging motorists who may have suffered blackouts of seizures to ensure they seek medical advice to determine whether they are safe to continue driving. 

In July the driver who caused the collision was jailed for two-and-a-half years. 

Nottingham Crown Court had been told that incident was the third time in a month that the motorist had caused an accident after a blackout when driving. 

Harriet Trail, a specialist serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the family said: “Our client suffered major injuries in the collision and her family feared she may not survive. While thankfully she did survive, her injuries continue to have a major impact on her life.  

“Her case vividly highlights the consequences innocent people can be left to face because of the dangerous actions of others.

“We will continue to support the family to help them access the specialist support the woman needs to maximise her recovery.”

The woman was among five people who were hit by the van outside Kirk Hallam Community Centre at around 8.55am on 5 July, 2019. She was queuing with her sister and their mum.

Another person was also seriously injured. 

The woman now suffers from seizures, hearing loss and short-term memory loss. 

She has mobility and balance problems because of her ankle injuries. 

At the time of the collision she was attending a life skills course at college and working as a cosmetics saleswoman. She has been unable to return to these because of her injuries. 

The woman is also unable to take her pet Staffordshire bull terrier for long walks which she used to enjoy.

Her sister said: “The last few months have been incredibly difficult for all the family but particularly my sister. 

“We are so grateful that she is still with us. However, she is a different person since the collision and has lost a lot of her independence which has been difficult. 

“The circumstances of the crash have been particularly hard to take for us all. We just hope that by speaking out it raises the importance of people who may have suffered blackouts seeking medical advice to establish whether they are safe to drive.

“We wouldn’t want anyone else to go through what our family and in particularly what my sister has over the last year.” 

The driver, Martin Casey, then aged 38, of Long Eaton, had suffered a serious brain trauma following a car crash in 2002, Nottingham Crown Court was told in July.

The court was told that he had crashed into the same community centre following a blackout on 26 June and collided with another vehicle four days later.

Casey had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and one count of dangerous driving.

Organised by the charity Brake, Road Safety Week runs from 16-22 November.

Find out more about our expertise in supporting families hurt in road crashes at our specialist serious injury section. Alternatively to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100