Law student suffers traumatic brain injury in a motorcycle collision

The client was riding as a pillion passenger on a friend’s motorbike when a car struck them head‑on. The force of the impact threw him a considerable distance down the road.

He suffered a severe brain injury, included bleeding on the brain, along with skull fractures and soft‑tissue injuries.

At the time of the accident, he was studying Law at university. His injuries meant he had to leave his course, and he hasn’t been able to work since.

In the months that followed, he experienced at least two manic episodes with psychotic symptoms. He had significant cognitive impairments, including reduced memory, impaired concentration and difficulty taking in information. He also had balance problems, migraine headaches, dizziness, depression and anxiety. His family noticed a marked change in his personality, saying he had become much quieter and struggled to show emotion.

Experiences like these are sadly common after a serious brain injury, and many people describe feeling as though they are living a different life entirely. Our guide, Same face, different life, explores this in more detail and explains how these changes can affect everyday life.

We arranged extensive rehabilitation for the client, overseen by a specialist brain injury case manager. His programme brought together the right therapies to support his recovery and help him manage the effects of his injury. Over time, he made noticeable improvements in his symptoms and daily functioning, giving him a more stable foundation as he looked ahead.

Interim payments were secured from the defendant insurers to support his rehabilitation while the case progressed.

To understand the full impact of his injuries, we obtained reports from leading experts, including a neurologist, neuropsychiatrist, neuropsychologist, neuro otologist and an orthopaedic specialist. Interim payments were secured from the defendant insurers to support his rehabilitation while the case progressed.

The case was challenging, as there were four defendants involved. The driver of the car didn’t have motor insurance, so part of the claim had to be brought through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau. This added complexity and slowed progress while responsibility was being investigated.

Liability was slow to be admitted. Even when the defendants accepted primary responsibility, they continued to allege contributory negligence, arguing that his helmet hadn’t been fastened and that this contributed to the severity of his brain injury.

Despite these challenges, Matthew Tuff secured significant compensation for him without the need for a trial, giving him closure and the support he needed to move forward.

With the legal issues resolved, we reached a settlement that gives him stability as he continues his recovery. It reflects the wide‑ranging impact of his injuries and supports the progress he’s already made.  Most importantly, it gives him space to rebuild confidence and independence after an experience that changed the course of his life.