Serious Injury Claim Case – Pedestrian Hit by a Car

Our client was a young adult who suffered life-changing injuries after being struck by a car while crossing a road. We were instructed to investigate the circumstances of the collision, obtain the necessary expert medical evidence, and secure a fair settlement for the long-term impact on their life.

What Happened

Our client was crossing a residential street when a driver failed to notice them and collided with them. The force of the impact caused a serious head injury and several other physical injuries. Emergency services attended, and our client required urgent hospital treatment, including emergency surgery.

The driver later pleaded guilty in criminal proceedings, but still refused to admit liability in the civil proceedings. 

Injuries Suffered

The injuries were extensive and had a major impact on our client’s day-to-day life:

Head Injury

• A significant brain injury requiring emergency surgery.
• Ongoing symptoms included fatigue, dizziness, slower thinking, memory problems, cognitive issues and reduced spatial awareness (for example, bumping into things or misjudging distances).
• These symptoms affected the client’s confidence, independence, return to work and his degree studies.

Orthopaedic Injuries

• Pain in the hip, knee and shoulder.
• Medical investigations showed that the accident temporarily worsened some pre-existing issues.
• The most troublesome symptoms were in the right hip and knee, particularly when walking, standing for long periods or exercising.

Psychological & Cognitive Effects

• Difficulty concentrating.
• Feeling more easily overwhelmed or tired.
• Reduced ability to multitask or manage busy environments.

These symptoms were confirmed through specialist neurological and neuropsychological assessments.

Gathering the Evidence

To fully understand the long-term impact of the injuries, we arranged for our client to be assessed by a range of experts, including:

• A neurosurgeon specialising in brain injuries
• An orthopaedic surgeon
• A clinical neuropsychologist

Their combined opinions showed that the accident had caused a substantial and lasting effect on how our client thinks, processes information and manages daily tasks. There was also an increased risk of long-term complications, which required careful consideration when valuing the claim.

Negotiations and Settlement

The driver’s insurers made an early offer to settle the claim, but based on the medical evidence, we advised our client that it was too low.
After further negotiation, including discussions with a specialist barrister, a significantly improved 6 figure offer was made.

Our client ultimately chose to settle the claim. The compensation achieved reflected:

• The seriousness of the head injury
• The potential long-term impact on work, education and independence
• Future risks and uncertainties
• Pain, suffering and loss of amenity

The settlement allowed our client to move forward with financial security and access to further support as needed.

Outcome

This case shows the importance of:

• Thorough investigation
• Early specialist medical involvement and rehabilitation.
• Careful assessment of long-term needs
• Standing firm against premature or undervalued offers

Our team ensured that the final settlement properly reflected the lifelong impact of the accident, while supporting our client throughout what was an emotionally and physically challenging process.

Contact ASD to Get Help With Your Injury Claim

Contact us and get a free case review and home visit! We’ll analyse the circumstances and provide you with the best legal advice and fight to get the compensation you need.