Road accidents occur in seconds but have consequences that often last a lifetime. That was certainly so in the case of a young woman who received seven-figure compensation after being struck down by a hit-and-run motorist.
A few days before Christmas, the woman, aged in her 30s, was crossing the road at night when the car hit her. The driver did not stop and abandoned his car in a nearby street. He was, however, swiftly arrested and it was established that he had cocaine and alcohol in his system at the time of the collision.
The woman suffered severe head injuries and was left paralysed down one side of her body. She usually needs a wheelchair when out of doors. The driver denied that he was to blame for the accident, insisting that he was going at a reasonable speed and that she had stepped out into his path.
After proceedings were launched on her behalf, however, the driver's insurers agreed to a £2 million settlement of her claim. In approving the compromise, the High Court noted that it avoided the need for a contested trial and represented a realistic view of litigation risks.