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News Desk | News Story
16th February 2010
Railways worker compensated after serious car accident
Injured in car accident
An ASLEF member who suffered a horrendous car accident has received £360,000 in compensation.The 39-year-old, formerly from County Durham but now living in Holsworthy, Devon, suffered extensive injuries to his back and neck after his car was forced off a busy dual carriageway.
He was driving his Ford Fiesta on the A66 dual carriageway towards Stockton with his wife when the accident happened in September 2006.
He had driven across to the outside lane to allow a 4x4 towing a horsebox to move onto the dual carriageway but the 4x4 pulled straight over into the outside lane hitting the Fiesta forcing it off the road and down a banking.
The car rolled several times before coming to rest on its roof in a field.
Soft tissue injuries to back and neck
The freight train driver suffered from soft tissue injuries to his back and neck leaving him with ongoing pain and limited movement. He also suffered other milder injuries to his head, shoulder and chest.
He suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and needed counselling.
He was forced to give up his job working as a train driver for EWS Railways, a company he had worked with since he left school, because he was unable to cope with the physical element of the job including climbing up into and down from the trains and operating levers.
He has since started his own business as a locksmith but is unlikely to achieve the same level of earnings he had while working on the railway.
Thompsons Solicitors made claim for compensation
Following the accident he contacted his union ASLEF which instructed Thompsons Solicitors to pursue a claim for compensation.
Thompsons was successful in settling the claim out of court.
The member said: “The long term impact of this accident has been much more extensive than my initial injuries. I’ve been left with restricted movement in my neck which meant I could no longer work as a train driver.
“We’ve now had to relocate from County Durham so I could set up as a self employed locksmith. I’m fortunate I’ve been able to find work in this way but I realise that, as well as living with the physical limitations I now have I will never earn as much as I did whilst on the railways.”
ASLEF’s general secretary Keith Norman said: “It’s one of the benefits of ASLEF membership that we offer our members and their families free legal advice whether their accident occurs in or out of work. Many people involved in car accidents fall into the trap of using lawyers who are ‘recommended’ by their insurers when in reality their case has been sold to the highest bidder. The service we offer ensures our members get personal attention and first class representation.”
Michael Bray from Thompsons Solicitors added: “We are confident we achieved the best possible outcome. The carelessness of the 4x4 driver forced the client to give up working as a train driver and as a result he had to take a significant pay cut. Fortunately his injuries though long lasting are not life threatening.”
Personal Injury Compensation Claim Advice
If you or anyone you know has suffered an injury as a result of a road traffic accident, telephone us now for accurate claim advice.There are strict time limits in place to make any personal injury claim including Road Accidents. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.
Thompsons Solicitors are experts in all personal injury matters. We will be able to advise you whether or not you have a valid claim for compensation. Our specialist personal injury lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have. If you do have a valid personal injury compensation claim and you decide to instruct Thompsons Solicitors to deal with the matter for you, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for you. Telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.
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