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Serious Pedestrian Accident

Jonathan’s Serious Pedestrian Accident Settles for £3,000,000 (Belfast)

Jonathan was involved in a serious pedestrian accident late one evening in the summer of 2017. He was crossing a road in Belfast when a car came around the bend on the wrong side of the road and struck him. The driver exited the car and then moved his car back to the correct side of the road. Jonathan was taken by ambulance to the Royal Victoria Hospital and remained in a coma for 7 weeks. He was then transferred from intensive care to the high dependency unit at Musgrave Park Hospital.

As a result of this accident, Jonathan sustained a significant injury to his right knee, which required surgery. He also suffered a fracture of his cervical and thoracic spine. His main injury was a head injury with underlying traumatic brain injury. He had a prolonged period of time in ICU and required placement of a tracheostomy. Jonathan required NG and subsequent RIG feeding. He was left with significant problems with cognition, language and overall motor control. Additionally, his balance was affected by the accident. Jonathan also had an altered persona. He demonstrated rigidity of thinking, which showed evidence of frontal lobe dysfunction. Jonathan also exhibited a lack of concentration and reduced memory.

Jonathan searched for a serious pedestrian accident solicitor

 

A number of months after the accident, the Jonathan’s family decided to pursue a personal injury claim on his behalf. They carried out research on Google to identify an appropriate local specialist personal injury law firm and decided upon Paschal O’Hare Personal Injury Solicitors. From the outset, it was clear that Jonathan had suffered life-changing injuries and would require a degree of care for life.

A letter of claim was initiated on behalf of Jonathan against the driver of the vehicle concerned. The driver was prosecuted at Belfast Crown Court for causing grievous bodily injury by careless driving. He was given a jail sentence. Medical reports were obtained from a consultant in rehabilitation medicine, an orthopaedic surgeon, a maxillofacial surgeon, and ENT surgeon, a clinical neuropsychologist, and a thoracic surgeon. Additionally, a consultant psychiatrist to highlight the full extent of the Jonathan’s injuries. Furthermore, given the seriousness of the injuries and its consequences, it was necessary to obtain a report from an occupational therapist and a forensic accountant. It was clear from the medical evidence that Jonathan would not be able to return to work in any capacity due to the ongoing consequences of his underlying traumatic brain injury.

High Court proceedings were issued on behalf of Jonathan. Whilst liability was officially denied in the Defendant’s Defence, liability was admitted in open correspondence. The matter was brought to trial. Medical reports, a care report, and an accountancy report were obtained on behalf of the Defendant. Prior to the trial hearing, negotiations ensued, and the case settled for £3,000,000 plus a sum of benefits repaid to the government.

Jonathan was very pleased with the outcome of his case.

Contact our local pedestrian accident solicitors to find out how we can help you were involved in a serious pedestrian road traffic accident. You can reach us by filling out our contact form or by visiting us in our Belfast, Glengormley, and Carrickfergus offices.

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