£12,000 Compensation Following Rear Shunt RTA

Mrs. M, a Birmingham based client, had her no win no fee claim handled by Personal Injury Lawyer, Maria Dobson at Ward & Rider Solicitors. 

The Claimant was a front seat passenger which was rear shunted whilst stationary at traffic lights.

Initial instructions were received by Ward & Rider Solicitors and investigations were entered into liability.  The Defendant's insurers advised that causation was disputed as they believed that this was a low speed impact case and therefore no personal injury could have been sustained.  Photographic evidence of the damage to the Claimant’s vehicle was provided to the Defendant’s insurers but liability continued to be in dispute.

The Claimant's medical records were obtained along with a report from a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon.  The report confirmed that the Claimant had sustained personal injury, with a whiplash injury to her neck, soft tissue injury to her left knee with aggravation of pre-existing symptoms and psychological symptoms with aggravation of pre-existing symptoms as a result of the accident. The expert recommended that the Claimant be assessed by a Psychologist for evaluation and provision of a long term prognosis.

Instructions were, therefore, sent to a Charted Clinical Psychologist to prepare a report. The report confirmed that whilst there was an increase in the Claimant's distress associated with her physical limitations and pain, the expert considered the principal emotional consequence of the accident to be the development of a specific phobia anxiety response to the driving and travelling as a passenger. The expert recommended that the Claimant undergo a course of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy which was funded by the Defendant’s insurers.

A Schedule of Loss was also prepared which claimed travelling expenses and domestic care and assistance.

As liability continued to be denied, County Court proceedings were issued and served.  A defence was filed in which liability was admitted.

The Defendant's Solicitors made an offer in the sum of £12,000.00 which was accepted by the Claimant and the matter concluded.  Mrs. M’s legal fees were also paid by the Defendant’s solicitors.

*Mrs. M’s name has been changed to respect her privacy but this is, indeed, a true compensation claim case.