Woman ‘Left For Dead’ By Driver Reveals Determination To Look To The Future

A mum left fighting for life following a hit and run has spoken of her determination to look to the future after lawyers secured her compensation.

Kayley Hicken as waiting for a taxi outside a friend’s house in Thurmaston, Leicestershire, when a white VW Golf mounted the pavement and ploughed into her, dragging the mum-of-one under the car. 

Leicestershire mum Kayley described as an unexpected survivor by doctors 

Kayley, of Melton Mowbray, suffered a catalogue of injuries including a traumatic brain injury, a double left leg fracture, pelvic fractures as well as a torn liver and internal bleeding. 

She spent more than a week in a coma and more than two months in hospital. Doctors described her as an “unexpected survivor.”

Serious injury lawyers secure compensation which will fund Kayley's life-time rehab

Kayley’s family instructed expert serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help her access the specialist rehabilitation and therapies she required. 

Despite the Golf driver never being traced, Irwin Mitchell secured Kayley, now aged 35, an undisclosed award to ensure her financial security as well as fund ongoing therapy and rehabilitation for the rest of her life. 

The funds have also helped Kayley access the specialist support she requires and to move into her own home. Kayley, who would struggle to work full-time because of her injuries, has also set up her own business inspired by her rehabilitation experience. 

She is now joining with her legal team at Irwin Mitchell in supporting Road Safety Week. 

Kelly Lingard is the expert serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Kayley.

Expert Opinion

“Kayley’s case vividly highlights the devastating consequences of crashes and how lived can be turned upside down in a split second.

“Understandably the last few years and trying to come to terms with physical and psychological impact of what happened has been incredibly difficult for not only Kayley but also her loved ones.

“While Kayley has made great progress in her recovery through access to rehab, she’ll continue to be affected by her injuries for the rest of her life.

“This settlement means Kayley can now continue to access the care and support she needs to regain more of her independence.

“We hope what happened to Kayley acts as a warning as to the need for everyone to take care on the roads so the numbers of people killed or seriously injured reduces.” Kelly Lingard

Serious injury: Kayley Hicken's story

Following the collision on 17 December, 2016, Kayley was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary before being transferred to Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham. She required surgery to repair her torn liver as well as remove infected tissue and repair her fractures.

She remained in intensive care until Boxing Day 2016. Kayley, who has a son, Lukah, 13, was discharged from hospital on 24 February, 2017.

Kayley continues to suffer symptoms including pelvis and leg pain which affect her mobility and significant scarring from her injuries. There is also a risk of deterioration in the future and the chance she will need further surgery and potentially require a wheelchair to mobilise as she ages.

She said: “The collision changed everything in an instant. I suffered multiple injuries and the recovery has been long, painful, and exhausting - physically and emotionally. 

“I’d just started training to be a home carer and was looking forward to building a career helping others, but I had to give that up as I couldn’t even care for myself. 

“When I woke up in hospital I looked a mess. There were tubes everywhere and the doctors described me as an unexpected survivor. It was then that the gravity of what happened really sunk in. 

“It wasn’t a case of staying in hospital and recovering to go home. That was only the start of it. Once home I continued to suffer with problems and went from being an independent and outgoing person to one reliant on my family. 

“I’ll always be angry at the driver and what they did, especially driving off and leaving me for dead. Clearly, they have no conscience. 

“What happened will always stay with me, but I’ve learned to try and control the things I can, such as my recovery, and trying to make the best life I can for my family.” 

After undergoing cryotherapy – a treatment that uses extreme cold to promote healing and act as a pain relief – as part of management for her leg pain Kayley still suffers, she recently launched her own business Cryovive in North Street, Melton Mowbray. 

Kayley supports Road Safety Week

Kayley added: “Even after all these years I still suffer with pain, especially in my left leg. It really affected my mobility. I can only walk short distances and particularly struggle to carry anything. 

“I started having cryotherapy as part of the rehab and it made such a difference to me that I thought if it helped me that much it will help others. 

“I wouldn’t be able to cope with the demands of full-time job so being my own boss gives me the work flexibility I need. 

“I can’t thank my family and everyone else who has supported me over the last few years. I’m not sure I’ll have got through it without them. 

“By sharing my story, I want others to see that there is hope after a life-changing injury and I hope that it will make others think twice and take care on the roads.”

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in supporting people seriously injured on the roads at our dedicated road traffic collision claims section. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.

Road Safety Weeks runs from 16-22 November and is organised by road safety Brake. For more information visit the Brake website.