Settlement helps elite cyclist back into the saddle
Minutes later, the dream was shattered when a fast-food delivery driver turned right across her and crashed head on into her, leaving her lying in the middle of the road with a broken tibia and fibula, quickly going into extreme shock. She was taken by ambulance to Kings College Hospital in south-east London where she was operated on to insert a titanium rod and four screws into her leg.
The driver was later fined £145 and given four points on his licence after pleading guilty at Bexley magistrates' court in January 2016, while Laura, pretty much in constant pain, faced the uphill struggle of rehabilitation, hampered by the ongoing physical and psychological trauma.
Jenny took over Laura's case from the previous solicitors who, sometime after the accident, still hadn’t secured any interim funds for rehabilitation. When criminal sentences (for the driver) are so lenient, it causes difficulties securing an early admission of liability in civil proceedings for this type of accident.
Jenny, however, secured an admission of liability and interim funds within weeks of instruction and worked closely with the driver's insurers to put a full rehabilitation plan in place. Although Laura's employers were very understanding, she was not able to work for four months and needed ongoing specialist treatment to get to the stage to begin rebuilding her life.
The good news is that following years of gruellingly hard work, Laura is back racing and on track to achieve her goals.
Laura said: "I remember the first day I met Jenny, sitting at home, feeling a shell of my former self. Following hours of detailed, yet focussed and pragmatic discussion, plus copious amounts of tea, I knew that everything would turn out for the best. Jenny’s calm yet tenacious character plus her detailed, expert knowledge helped me believe that with the right physical and mental support, things would improve.
Her professionalism, guidance and counsel over the following two-and-a-half years have been exceptional. Nothing is too much or inconvenient and you believe she is living the case with you. I can say, quite honestly, I would not be here now in this capacity, or back racing on my bike if it were not for Jenny. I shall be forever grateful."
Contact us
For further information about road traffic accident claims and cycling accident claims, please call Jennifer Buchanan on 03304606774 or email jennifer.buchanan@fieldfisher.com.
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