Expert Lawyers Helping Daughter Seriously Injured In Same Accident With Recovery

The daughter of Paul Eric Gardner, 82, who died when the vehicle he was travelling in was involved in a head-on crash in October 2015, has spoken of the battle she continues to face to recover from the trauma of losing her father, as well as the severe injuries she suffered in the collision, following an inquest into his death.

The inquest, at the County Hall, Ruthin, on 8 September, into the death of Paul Gardner, from Tal-y-bont, Conwy recorded an accidental death verdict.

Paul died when the car his daughter, Elaine, 60, was driving was involved in a head-on collision on the B5106 in North Wales.

Two men travelling in the other vehicle, which lost control and veered across the road, causing the collision, also died in the incident.

Assistant Coroner Nicola Jones concluded Paul’s death was due to a road traffic collision and noted a significant factor in the accident was the ingestion of alcohol and cannabis by those in the other car.

Elaine was left with life-changing injuries, including fractures to her right tibia, fibia and patella, a fractured left foot, six cracked ribs, a bruised and scratched lung and severe lacerations.

Elaine instructed expert serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to represent her at the inquest and also to help her access the funds she will need for her rehabilitation.

Richard Biggs, an expert serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, who is representing Elaine, said:

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“It has been almost a year since this terrible incident, which cost Elaine not only her father, but caused her to suffer a number of life-changing injuries.

“Understandably, it has been an extremely difficult time for Elaine, but she is glad the coroner has fully investigated her father’s death.

“We are continuing to support Elaine to deal with the death of her father in such tragic circumstances and to help secure her the funds she will need to continue her recovery from the very serious and life-changing injuries she suffered in this incident.” Richard Biggs - Partner

Elaine said: “My life was turned upside down the night my dad and I were hit head-on. I lost my father and suffered terrible injuries myself, which have had a huge impact on my life, all because of careless driving by somebody else.

“I’m glad the coroner has investigated my dad’s death and although the process has been extremely difficult I feel like there is now some closure and I can begin to focus my energies on recovering and access the help and support I will need to overcome the life-changing injuries I have been dealing with since this terrible incident.”