Road traffic accidents can, in the twinkling of an eye, turn a happy day out into a life-changing tragedy. That was certainly so in the case of a young woman who was struck by a car and severely injured as she left a public event.
The streets were congested following the event and marshals were attempting to close off to traffic the road on which the accident occurred. However, the motorist involved in the collision ignored their efforts and entered the road. She was travelling at about 25 mph when she hit the woman, who was walking towards a railway station.
The motorist did not stop at the scene. There was evidence that she had been drinking and there was no indication that she attempted to brake, swerve or slow down prior to the impact. On the other hand, the woman had moved obliquely across the road, jogging over part of it. Neither she nor the motorist had apparently seen each other although it was plain that they should have done so.
After proceedings were launched, the motorist's insurers agreed to settle the case for a total of £1,525,000, that sum representing 80 per cent of the full value of the woman's claim. In the light of litigation risks, the High Court had no hesitation in approving the compromise as prudent and in her best interests.
The woman suffered multiple skull fractures and a moderately severe brain injury in the collision. Aged in her late 30s, her cognitive and executive skills are impaired. She has difficulty organising her thoughts and she tends to become emotionally overwhelmed. An attempt to reintroduce her to the workplace had not succeeded and she remains heavily dependent on her mother's support.