Motorcyclist receives £480K compensation for road accident

The incident 

This claim involved our client being knocked off his motorcycle in February 2018. The defendant drove out from a side road, hitting our client off this bike which resulted in serious injuries.  

The injuries our client suffered were mainly around a limb-threatening injury to his right lower leg. This required: 

• Fixation (stabilising the fractured bone) 

• Skin grafting (using skin from another part of his body to transplant to the wounded area) 

• Rectifying a severe soft tissue injury on his calf 

This naturally led to prolonged immobility after the accident occurred, and to years of treatment to correct it. 

The aftermath 

Although the accident happened in February 2018, the client had to undergo further surgery in December 2018. This surgery was needed to: 

• Remove the metalwork 

• Deep clean the fracture wound 

• Undertake revision fixation (re-stabilise the fracture) 

• Place a bone graft (replacing bone from one part of the body to the wounded part) to the fibula bone in the leg, from the base of his heel  

However, although the injuries were treated on the surface, the client then suffered from significant post-traumatic arthritis.  

In July 2022, this led to the client needing an ankle fusion – a surgery which fuses 2 or more bones in the ankle to treat pain caused by arthritis. 

The ankle fusion, however, did not work, so the client now expects to undergo a second fusion. This is expected to be successful, however, it’s not guaranteed. The potential damages and risks were agreed upon during a joint settlement meeting with the defendant.  

The case 

The case was handled by personal injury solicitors, Victoria Martin, Dale Bickerstaffe & Katie Rutter. 

The claim was mainly formulated on the basis of the loss of a military career. 

The client had previously been in the Royal Marine Reserves before the accident, and had left with the intention of joining the Marines full-time in the future. He was also a fitness instructor at the time of the accident. 

Due to his ongoing injuries, he now takes a much less physical role in his fitness industry career, and is unable to join the Marines – nor is he able to take on many other more physical forms of occupation. 

The outcome 

The client received a settlement of £480,000 to compensate for the injuries he sustained following the accident.  

With his settlement money, he plans to retrain – most likely to obtain a degree that he can put to good use.  

“It was a pleasure representing our client. He has had a very difficult time over the past 6 years, but he has faced everything with a great deal of optimism and fortitude.  

“We are delighted with the outcome achieved on his behalf.  

“It is unfortunate that due to his injuries, he can no longer pursue a career in the military. But, with his settlement money, he will have the opportunity to retrain and embark upon a new career path.”

Find out more about how Fletchers Solicitors can help with motorcycle accident claims.