Kirsty sustained a serious brain injury in a car accident. This is the story of her journey to recovery, her efforts to rebuild her life, and how she secured compensation despite her doubts about whether even a claim could be made.
The Accident
Kirsty was a passenger in a car when the driver suffered a seizure at the wheel. The resulting crash into a nearby building left her with significant injuries, including a traumatic brain injury. She couldn’t remember much from that day or the days that followed. “I woke up in the ambulance and then woke up again in the hospital. Every time I closed my eyes, I woke up in a different place.”
After hospital treatment and months of recuperation, her injuries healed. However, the longer-term effects of her brain injury continued to impact her day-to-day life. She felt constantly tired and struggled with a lack of energy. Despite ongoing challenges, she sought a sense of normality and returned to work just three months after the accident as a hotel waitress.
She said: “I just wanted to go back to work, because that’s normal, and that’s what I know. When I did go back, I was having all these problems. The manager wouldn’t believe me when I told her why I’d be late as I struggled to wake up and I would then need to go home because I was in so much pain.”
Eventually, she was let go from her role and struggled to hold down other jobs. “I tried to clean for a little bit, but I’d get pains and headaches.”
Overcoming Doubts to Make a Claim
While Kirsty was recovering from the accident in hospital, a friend told her about someone who had successfully made a personal injury claim after an accident.
When Kirsty mentioned to her friends and family that she was considering making a claim, they expressed doubts, telling her there was no point in doing it.
It was only after confiding in her therapist that Kirsty decided to make the first step and contact Injury Lawyers 4u. “Calling up [to make a claim] was a real struggle. I didn’t know what I was talking about or doing, or even if I was ringing the right people.”
At Injury Lawyers 4u, we listened, took control, and referred her to one of our partners to begin her claim and get the treatment and compensation she deserved.
Making a Personal Injury Claim
After making a claim, Kirsty was introduced to various medical specialists to help her better adapt to life with a brain injury. She also received financial support, known as interim payments, to help fund specialist care and avoid rushing back into work before she was ready.
Compensation Marked a New Beginning
Despite other people’s doubts, Kirsty’s determination and perseverance paid off. With the support of Injury Lawyers 4u, she was awarded £400,000 in compensation to help her rebuild her life.
Before the accident, Kirsty had discovered her love of travel and had just returned from her first trip abroad. She thought the accident would put a stop to that. “I have always wanted to travel. As a child, I never went on holiday. Two days before the crash, I had just returned from holiday with a friend. Me and my friend were saying were talking about all the places we wanted to go to. There were so many things I wanted to do before the car crash. When the car crash happened, I thought, oh my god, I am never going to be able to go on holiday again.”
However, thanks to excellent rehabilitation and the compensation, she has kept that dream alive.
“Since the accident, I have been to Hungary, Greece, Dubai and the Maldives. It was so crazy to me – I kept saying, I almost died and now I’m here. When I went to the Maldives, it didn’t feel real, and I was like, am I even alive right now? I had to pinch myself.”
Kirsty now plans to use part of her compensation to start her own business and continue pursuing her love of travel.
Have you been involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault?
If you have been involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, talk to Injury Lawyers 4u. We’re a national network of experienced, specialist personal injury lawyers who work on a genuine ‘no win, no fee’ basis, so there’s nothing to lose by asking us for advice. Call today on 0333 060 8614 to speak to an expert legal adviser at any time of the day or night.