Settlement for claimants injured when glass roof of electric taxi flew off on motorway
Dushal Mehta and Charlotte Thorpe recently settled a claim for two Claimants against the London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC), which is responsible for electric black cabs in London. As part of the design of the electric black cabs, introduced onto London streets four years ago to generate greener transport, the taxis have a panoramic glass roof.
One December, the Claimants were travelling in an electric black cab along the motorway when, suddenly and without warning, the entire panoramic glass roof detached completely and flew down the motorway behind them. Fortunately, it did not collide with any other vehicle travelling on the motorway, and the Claimants pulled over safely at the side of the motorway.
Testing and inspection of the vehicle was subsequently carried out to understand what happened. The testing revealed that the sealant had not been properly bonded to the roof aperture during manufacturing. The sealant was therefore not bonded to the panoramic roof as it should have been and had always been detached from the roof aperture.
The vehicle was therefore faulty and LEVC admitted liability.
Both claimants suffered psychiatric injury as a result of the index event. They were both diagnosed with PTSD and experienced anxiety when travelling in cars, flashbacks to the index event, disturbed sleep and intrusive thoughts of 'what if' the accident had been worse. Both Claimants continue to be impacted in their day to day lives by the accident and the trauma they experienced.
Court proceedings had to be issued against LEVC due to limitation expiring, however Charlotte and Dushal were able to settle the claim before needing to formally serve proceedings. The claims settled for a collective six figure sum, which will allow both Claimants to move on with their lives and access the medical treatment they require both now and in the future to progress their recovery.
Following settlement, the family said:
"Me and my partner cannot thank Dushal, Charlotte and their team enough. What we had to go through on the day of the incident will forever be etched in our minds.
'It was a very long drawn out process but we knew from day one of speaking to Dushal and Charlotte that we were in safe hands. A truly fantastic outfit that always put their clients mind at ease with their thoughtfulness, professionalism and care. Fully recommend Fieldfisher for anyone seeking similar help in the future.”
Contact us
For further information about road traffic accident claims and personal injury claims please call Dushal Mehta on 03304606751 or email dushal.mehta@fieldfisher.com or call Charlotte Thorpe on 0330 460 6744 or email charlotte.thorpe@fieldfisher.com.
Alternatively
- You can speak to our personal injury lawyers on freephone 0800 358 3848
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