At Optimal Solicitors, we understand how devastating road traffic accidents can be. When an injured motorcyclist came to us after being struck by another vehicle, she needed strong legal support to secure the compensation she deserved for her recovery and future well-being.
With our personal injury litigation executive Rubina Chowdhury leading the case, we worked diligently over two years and four months to gather comprehensive medical evidence and present a strong legal argument. Thanks to Rubina’s expertise and strategic approach, we successfully secured £37,473.86 – helping our client move forward with her life.
Here’s how we achieved this outcome and what you need to know if you’ve been involved in a similar accident.
An accident that led to injuries
Our client was riding her motorcycle correctly when a car unexpectedly changed lanes, striking her handlebar. The impact caused her to fall and sustain multiple injuries, including:
- Left knee pain
- Left elbow soft tissue damage
- Right thumb fracture
- Left shoulder pain which affected sleeping
To ensure the claim was supported by strong medical evidence, we advised the client to undergo an MRI scan. This revealed:
- Permanent cartilage loss and minor osteoarthritic changes in her right thumb
- Minor osteoarthritic changes in the AC joint of her left shoulder, exacerbating a pre-existing condition and causing pain expected to last for up to two years
These findings played an important role in securing the right level of compensation.
What constitutes a road traffic accident claim?
Before we delve any deeper into the case, let’s unpack the core elements of a road traffic accident claim to give you a greater understanding.
If you’re the victim of a road traffic accident, you have a right to claim for compensation if the accident was either partially or fully the fault of another party, such as a driver. Here are a few key points to bear in mind before you can make a claim:
- Involvement – You must have been involved in the accident as a driver, passenger, pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist, or a vulnerable road user
- Injury – You must have suffered physical or psychological injuries as a direct result of the accident
- Negligence – Another party’s negligence or breach of duty must have caused the accident
- Time limit – You must make your claim within three years of the accident or from the date you first became aware of your injury
Should you choose to make a claim with legal representation, your solicitor will send a letter of claim to the defendant’s insurer. An investigation and confirmation of responsibility takes place within three months, followed by a court process where your solicitor will seek for you to be awarded maximum compensation from the judge.
If you’re successful, the level of compensation you receive will vary on a case-by-case basis and may cover medical costs, loss of earnings, ongoing treatments, or emotional trauma support.
Building a strong case
In this case, the defendant admitted liability immediately. This allowed Rubina to focus entirely on gathering the strongest possible evidence to maximise our client’s compensation.
Beyond the medical reports, we also demonstrated how the accident disrupted our client’s life, including:
- Unable to ride her motorcycle for four weeks
- Struggled with household tasks for three months
- Temporarily unable to work (though she chose not to claim for lost earnings due to lack of supporting paperwork)
With this information, Rubina submitted an initial claim for £41,449.99, aiming for the highest possible award.
Negotiating the best settlement
The defendant responded with a counter-offer of £37,473.86. While slightly lower than our original claim, Rubina advised the client that this exceeded fair compensation expectations based on the case details.
The final decision, however, rested with the client. After considering the offer carefully, she accepted it, delighted with the outcome.
This settlement covered:
- Medical treatments
- MRI scans
- Helmet damage
- Injuries sustained
Had it not been for NHS backlogs caused by COVID-19 [1], the case could have been resolved even sooner. Nevertheless, our client expressed her gratitude for the expert legal guidance and support she received throughout the process.
Been injured in a road traffic accident? We can help
Road traffic accidents can be physically, emotionally, and financially devastating. If you’ve been injured due to another party’s negligence, Optimal Solicitors can provide expert legal advice and fight to secure the compensation you deserve.
We guarantee:
- No-win, no-fee representation
- Expert legal advice tailored to your case
- Proven success in securing maximum compensation
Take the first step towards justice. Contact us today.
