Personal Injury team settle claim for client with spinal injury after being hit by a taxi on roadside

Posted: 18/09/2013

The personal injury team at Penningtons has just settled a claim for substantial damages for a client who sustained a serious spinal injury rendering her tetraplegic after being hit by a taxi on the A303. The circumstances leading up to the accident were not entirely clear. The claimant’s case was that she had broken down and got out of her car and that the taxi driver had failed to notice the hold up ahead and was driving too fast. He swerved into the near side lane and collided with our client who was standing at the side of the road on the verge.

While it was clear that the taxi driver had been unable to stop and had hit her, he argued that he had no alternative. There was also significant uncertainty as to how and why the claimant came to be at the side of the road. The case was therefore contested and court proceedings were issued. Following a settlement meeting, a substantial settlement was negotiated for our client which will enable her to set up her home and care arrangements to maximise her independence.

Philippa Luscombe, head of the personal injury team, said: “This was a case where our client sustained devastating injuries but the accident circumstances were very unclear. We felt that the defendant taxi driver was clearly at fault for driving too fast and not keeping a look out but he and his insurers vehemently disputed liability. We are pleased to have reached a good settlement which will enable our client to plan her future and ensure she gets the assistance she needs to live at home as comfortably and independently as is possible given the severity of her injuries.”

Contact: Philippa Luscombe
Related services:  Personal injury

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