Seven figure settlement for motorcyclist following a road traffic collision

On the day of his accident, a man was travelling to work on his motorbike when a driver pulled out from a side road and collided with him, knocking him from his bike.

He remained conscious throughout and immediately realised he had sustained a serious injury to his left foot. Emergency services attended the scene and, due to the severity of his injuries, he was taken to hospital in as a major trauma patient. Despite surgeons’ best efforts to save his foot, he underwent a below-knee amputation the following day.

The client spent several weeks in hospital before being transferred for specialist amputee rehabilitation. He remained there for a further three months before being discharged. Fitted with an NHS prosthetic limb, he began adapting to life after amputation.

Liability for the accident was admitted at an early stage, allowing rehabilitation to begin quickly. A case manager was instructed less than 10 days after the accident and completed an Initial Needs Assessment before the client left hospital. This early support helped coordinate his transfer to rehabilitation services, assist with his return home and ensure a seamless transition to ongoing treatment.

Following his discharge from NHS services, he was referred to ProActive Prosthetics, where he received a bespoke prosthetic limb as well as a specialist water activity limb to support his recovery and long-term independence.

One of the biggest challenges the client faced was that his pre-accident home was no longer suitable for his needs. The two-storey property did not provide enough space for comfortable wheelchair use and the washing facilities were inadequate. Through collaborative working with the defendant’s insurers, we secured a substantial interim payment which enabled the client to purchase a more suitable single-level property that is now being adapted to meet his current and future needs.

The compensation also supported the client’s recovery beyond the practicalities of day-to-day living. The specialist water activity limb allowed him to return to his passion for off-road motorcycling, with only minor modifications needed to his bike. Later, with the support of his case manager and bespoke equipment, he was also able to resume another important hobby, portraying Hagrid at role-playing and steampunk events using custom-made stilts.

These achievements reflected the significant role rehabilitation and compensation played in helping him regain his independence and return to the activities he enjoyed before the accident.

As the client continued to make excellent progress through rehabilitation, the defendant’s insurers made an initial settlement offer. After careful consideration, that offer was rejected and further negotiations took place. Subsequently, Tim Kirfield, a Senior Associate in our personal injury team, secured an increased settlement offer, resulting in a seven-figure settlement that reflected the client’s long-term needs. 

The client was referred to us through the Major Trauma Signposting Partnership at St George’s Hospital. This enabled us to implement an early rehabilitation and collaborative approach from the outset of the claim. 

The outcome demonstrates how prompt access to rehabilitation, specialist support and coordinated case management can help seriously injured people rebuild their lives following a traumatic accident.

The seven-figure settlement provided the client with the financial security needed to move forward with confidence. It enabled him to purchase a suitable property, fund ongoing rehabilitation and access the prosthetic support he will require in the future.

Most importantly, it helped him regain his independence, continue pursuing the hobbies he enjoys and live comfortably in a home adapted to meet his long-term needs.

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury following a road traffic collision, we’re here to help. Our expert serious injury solicitors can support you in securing the rehabilitation, care and compensation needed to move forward with confidence. Get in touch today for free, confidential advice about your situation.