NEWS

From Tragedy to Triumph: How Mark Rebuilt His Life After a Devastating Road Collision 

Author Nicola Ryan-Donnelly Partner & Solicitor

Last Updated 26th November 2025

Supporting Road Safety Week 2025

Each year during Road Safety Week, we reflect on the devastating consequences of road collisions – and the lives forever changed by them. Behind every statistic is a person, a family, and a story of courage. 

For one of our clients, Mark Fardon, one moment on the road changed everything. 

A Life Changed in an Instant

In 2015, Mark was riding his motorbike when a driver turned right across his path. The impact was catastrophic, leaving Mark unconscious on the ground. As traffic built up and witnesses waited for paramedics to attend the scene, another driver overtook traffic to get ahead. The driver failed to spot Mark on the ground and he was struck again.

At the scene, Mark’s Glasgow Coma Score was recorded as just 3 out of 15. Few expected him to survive, let alone recover. His injuries were severe and he was rushed to hospital in critical condition, having sustained a traumatic brain injury. Remarkably, despite the severity of the accident, he sustained no physical injuries.

Five weeks later, Mark miraculously awoke from his coma. But life was completely different. He had no recollection of the incident and was no longer able to walk or perform day-to-day tasks. Having been surrounded by loved ones whilst in a coma, sadly in that moment, he could not fully remember many of his friends and family.

What followed was a long and difficult journey through hospital treatments, rehabilitation, and complex legal proceedings. But thanks to the interim payments that Fletchers Solicitors successfully secured, we were able to give Mark early access to specialist rehabilitation, which turned Marks story from one of tragedy, to one of hope.

The Road to Recovery

When Fletchers Solicitors first took on Mark’s case, he was still in a rehabilitation unit, struggling with the life-changing effects of his injury. He was supported by Nicola Ryan-Donnelly, Associate Solicitor, who helped to navigate Mark through his complex legal case – and the challenges that came with this.

There were various obstacles throughout the legal journey. Having to navigate the litigation of not one but two incidents in the same case meant the team had to take a robust approach to securing liability and interim payments that would allow Mark to secure a suitable home and access rehabilitation – something he desperately needed to aid his recovery.

Mark Rebuilt His Life After a Devastating Road Collision — **The Rochdale newspaper report on the day of the collision.**

Reflecting on Marks case, Nicola commented: “Securing the early interim payments for Mark was essential. It allowed us to move him into a home suitable for his needs post-injury, where he was safe and could continue his recovery. It also meant he could access a multidisciplinary rehabilitation team which including neuropsychologists, therapists and a case manager, all of whom were instrumental in his progress. Securing these payments was challenging, but we fought tirelessly to make sure Mark had everything he needed to get back on his feet.”

Throughout those early years in Marks recovery, the combination of our expert legal team and our holistic teams that worked closely with Mark’s case managers, therapists, and doctors was key to helping him to thrive today.

In 2020, the case was successfully settled for £2.5 million, giving Mark the stability he needed to rebuild his life.

Determination, Discipline and a Love of Sport

Because of this, Mark was able to thrive on his rehabilitation journey. A keen sportsman and golf player, he was motivated by his goal to get back on the course again. To get him to where he is now, Mark committed himself to daily exercises prescribed by his physiotherapists – a routine he still follows every morning.

Whilst on his recovery journey, Mark took up bowls and gradually built a new rehabilitation routine that allowed him to get back to himself and the return to the thing he loved the most, golf.

Eventually Mark was able to achieve his ambitions and return to golf, and despite starting with a higher handicap, he has since managed to achieve a 9 handicap – something once thought impossible.

Defying the Odds

In the early days of his case, Mark lacked the mental capacity needed to manage his own finances and affairs. At this point our Court of Protection team, supported by Emily Meadow, was appointed to safeguard his financial and welfare interests.

But inspiringly, after years of progress, Mark regained capacity and was able to come out of his deputyship. With Emily’s assistance and guidance, he purchased land and has recently finished building his forever home – a place that represents independence, strength, and a new chapter.

Reflecting on his journey, Emily Meadow commented: “Mark truly defied the odds to get to where he is today. His recovery was built on determination and discipline and it’s amazing to see how far he has come. Seeing him reach the point where he regained capacity to manage his own affairs again has been incredibly rewarding. He was a keen sportsman before the accident, and he definitely channelled that same drive into his rehabilitation.”

Family, Resilience, and Purpose

Through it all, Mark’s greatest motivation has been his daughter, Lexi. Despite the enormous challenges that brain injury can bring to family relationships, Mark has worked tirelessly to remain a constant presence in her life.

Now 15, Lexi spends weekends and holidays with her dad in the home he has built; a place where she feels safe, happy, and proud of how far he’s come.

Mark’s journey is more than a story of recovery; it’s a story of love, persistence, and the human spirit. He continues to share his experience to help others, acting as an ambassador for rehabilitation and as a mentor to those facing similar challenges.

Reflecting on how far he has come, Mark commented, “both my daughter and my close friends have really been my anchors, and my determination to get back to golf has pushed me to keep going even on the tough days. It’s not always easy, I can experience cognitive decline easily and I never regained my sense of taste and smell, but I can still enjoy the foods I used to eat before the accident by remembering the taste.”

“Nicola and Emily have become friends to me and I am grateful for everything they have done to help me. Now I have a home that supports me and will support my daughter in the future.”

The Need for Safer Roads

Mark’s story is a powerful reminder of the real human impact behind road collision statistics. Lives can change in an instant but, with safer roads, greater awareness, and accountability, many of these tragedies can be prevented.

At Fletchers, we see every day how devastating road collisions can be for individuals and families. But we also see the power of early rehabilitation, expert legal support, and determination to rebuild.

As we mark Road Safety Week, we stand with those campaigning for change – for safer infrastructure, better driver awareness, and justice for road victims.

Mark’s story shows that even in the face of unimaginable adversity, recovery is possible but prevention must always come first.

A Message of Hope

Today, Mark continues to live life to the fullest. He plays sport, supports others in recovery, and enjoys time with his daughter in the home he built from the ground up.

His story is one of resilience, but also a call to action; a reminder that every journey on the road carries responsibility, and that behind every collision are lives that deserve to be protected.