Multiple fractures and PTSD sustained in road traffic collision

On 20 December Mrs D, who is a freelance writer publisher, teacher and mentor, was driving her Toyota Yaris, travelling south along the A21. Her husband was a passenger. A VW Polo was heading along the carriageway in the opposite direction when the driver of that vehicle lost control and skidded across the central reservation and into collision with Mrs D’s vehicle, pushing it off of the road and onto the grass verge. Mrs D managed to crawl out of the vehicle but was unable to use her legs. Her husband, who managed to get out of the vehicle on the passenger side, lifted her away from the vehicle.

Mrs D was taken to Tunbridge Wells Hospital by ambulance and was assessed by the trauma team. It was confirmed that she had sustained a fracture of the transverse process of the C7 cervical vertebra with a sternal fracture of the body and manubrium as well as multiple fractures of the right 1st and 3rd ribs and the left 3rd, 4th and 5th ribs. Mrs D had further sustained a transverse fracture of the T2 thoracic vertebral transverse process. Mrs D was admitted to the hospital and gradually mobilised until her discharge on 25 December.

Mrs D arranged cranial osteopathy for her injuries as well as acupuncture treatment and physiotherapy. She also started EMDR therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder.

We were instructed by Mrs D to investigate her potential claim. We obtained her medical records and instructed an orthopaedic surgeon and a psychiatrist to report on the injuries that she had sustained.

A letter of claim was served on the defendant’s and his insurers admitted liability in full.

The final settlement reached was £15,000 more than the defendant’s initial offer.

Specialist personal injury lawyer acting for the claimant successfully obtained an out-of court settlement of £30,000 to compensate the claimant for their pain and suffering.

Specialises in personal injury cases. If you have a general query about any personal injury, please contact Carley at Thomson Snell & Passmore solicitors on 01892 701376 in confidence.