On 22 April 2022, Mrs Tait* was travelling as a front-seat passenger in a car driven by her husband on their way to visit a National Trust property. The day seemed like any other until they reached a crossroads on a rural single carriageway road. In a tragic moment, an HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) collided with the passenger side of their car, causing it to spin several times before coming to a stop.

Mrs Tait has no memory of the accident itself, but the aftermath was severe. Emergency services were called to the scene, and they had to cut her free from the wreckage. She was then rushed to Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham, where she stayed for ten days, receiving treatment for multiple serious injuries.

The extent of the injuries

Mrs Tait suffered a range of injuries from the accident, each of which significantly impacted her life:

1. Subarachnoid haemorrhage: This serious head injury resulted in bleeding in the space surrounding the brain.
2. Multiple rib fractures: She fractured six ribs on her left side.
3. Pulmonary contusion and haemothorax: These injuries affected her lungs, leading to bleeding and bruising within the chest cavity.
4. Spinal injuries: Fractures to her cervical spine (C6, C7, and T1), leading to permanent neck pain and restricted movement.
5. Hip fracture: Her left hip was fractured in the accident.
6. Eye injury (Ptosis): Initially, her left eyelid drooped due to nerve damage, which later partially recovered but still left her with significant issues.
7. Shoulder dislocation: A severe dislocation of her left shoulder resulted in permanent limitations in its movement and ongoing pain.

The ongoing impact

One of the most distressing consequences of the accident for Mrs Tait was the damage to her left eye. The head injury she suffered caused her to effectively lose vision in that eye. Despite recovering from the initial eyelid droop (ptosis), she now has ongoing issues with eye movement, leading to double vision whenever she looks away from a straight-ahead position. To cope with this, Mrs Tait has to wear an occlusive lens over her left eye, which helps with the double vision but means she can no longer use that eye at all.

This loss of vision has led to additional challenges in her daily life. Mrs Tait struggles with depth perception, making simple tasks like walking up and down stairs or navigating uneven ground particularly difficult. Although she has adapted somewhat to her monocular vision over the past two years, pouring liquids, for example, remains a challenge.

Psychological impact

Beyond the physical injuries, the accident also took a toll on Mrs Tait’s mental health. She was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder and now experiences significant travel anxiety, making it difficult for her to feel safe while on the road.

Life after the accident

As a result of the permanent injuries to her shoulder and neck, Mrs Tait can no longer lift her arm above her head or carry heavy items. The loss of vision in her left eye, however, has been the most upsetting and life-altering injury. Simple activities she once enjoyed, like reading, have become difficult due to fatigue and concentration issues.

Mrs Tait’s life has been forever changed by this tragic accident. In recognition of her suffering and the permanent injuries she sustained, she received a settlement of £150,000. While no amount of money can fully compensate for the loss she has experienced, this settlement will help her as she continues to adjust to her new reality.

If you’ve been injured in a road traffic accident that wasn’t your fault, call and speak to our team. Let us help you on the road to recovery - Call us on 0800 1380 458 or email help@switalskis.com

*not the client’s real name. While the client has given permission for us to tell their story, they have asked that we do not use their name.