Former Businessman Also Hopes To Inspire Others To Overcome Their Injuries

A former businessman left brain damaged and unable to walk following a horror crash is backing a campaign to reduce the number of motorcyclists killed or seriously injured on the roads.

Shane Booth was enjoying an annual motorcycling holiday with a friend in Germany when a tractor pulled into the path of his bike.

Shane, of Solihull, sustained multiple life-threatening injuries, including severe brain trauma and serious internal damage, as well as numerous fractures. He was in a coma for several weeks.

As a result of his injuries Shane, had to learn to walk again, had to give up his career as a sales director for IBM and relied on others to care for him.

Following the collision which happened in Baden-Baden, South West Germany in August 2009, the former keen sportsman instructed specialist international personal injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help investigate the incident. The legal experts subsequently secured Shane a multi-million pound settlement to help fund the specialist rehabilitation and therapies he needed.

Irwin Mitchell’s Court of Protection team is managing the funds on Shane’s behalf to ensure that they last for the rest of his life and pay for the vital ongoing care and rehabilitation programme he needs now that he can no longer work.

Shane continues to make remarkable progress in his recovery and can now walk with the aid of a stick, can talk and is self-sufficient in many aspects of his personal care.

He has joined his legal team at Irwin Mitchell in supporting Road Safety Week. This year the annual campaign is urging motorists to be ‘Bike Smart’ to help reduce the number of motorcyclists and cyclists injured or killed in collisions.

Shane, who is now a motivational speaker, is speaking out to urge motorists to pay attention to motorcyclists and cyclists but also inspire those seriously hurt in collisions to overcome their injuries the best they can.

He said: “In a way I’m lucky that I don’t remember much about the crash that in a split second changed my life.

“I was told that a police officer who attended the scene said that my accident was the worst he’d seen, where someone had received so many life-threatening injuries and actually survived.

“Coming to terms with how my life had changed was difficult. I’d gone from being really active enjoying my job, sport and travelling to being almost bed bound and having to be hoisted out of bed and totally wheelchair reliant when I went out.

“But then I thought I’m not putting my life on hold and was determined to try and overcome my injuries.”

Due to the severity of his brain trauma, Shane needed an intensive course of rehabilitation - including speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and assistance from an occupational therapist.

Prior to the accident, Shane’s sporting triumphs included cycling for England and running the London Marathon. He had also completed six half marathons and swam for Lancashire County.

Shane said: “The support I have had from my wife Yvette as well as medical and legal professionals has been absolutely amazing. I owe so much to them.

“I feel fortunate to be where I am today but it this should never have happened to me and I am only where I am because of tremendous grit and determination to succeed which has always been part of my personality.

“It is vitally important that drivers pay attention on the roads and help reduce the number of motorcyclists injured or killed.”

Lesley Edwards is the expert International Personal Injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell who secured Shane his settlement.

Expert Opinion

“Shane suffered truly devastating injuries in the collision. To have survived the initial crash and make the recovery he has is truly remarkable.

“I am immensely proud that he has managed to make the recovery he has and privileged to have been instructed to act for him in pursuing his case.

“Shane came to the office recently to give a motivational talk and he is truly inspiring and impressive as a speaker. I wish him every success with his business The Man That Speaks and hope that the firm can support his ventures in the future.

“Road Safety Week is an important time to reflect on the responsibility that all of us have to keep ourselves and others safe from harm on the road.” Lesley Edwards - Senior Associate

Joanna Grewer is a specialist Court of Protection lawyer at Irwin Mitchell.

Expert Opinion

“To see someone come back from a brain injury like Shane’s is nothing short of inspirational. His positive outlook and determination are proof that there can be life after serious injury.” Joanna Grewer - Partner