The Bott and Co cycling accident claims team has secured a £30,000 injury compensation settlement for 30 year old Police Special Constable and claims handler from Stockport, Greater Manchester.
Phillip Williams was riding home from work on his bike in a cycle lane at around 5.45pm on 28th March 2012 when he was knocked off his bike into the path of a passing vehicle.
“I was riding home from work in Sharston a little later than usual; filtering along the traffic in the bike lane. I was aware of my surroundings and noticed slightly ahead of me was a car parked half on and half off the pavement and into the bike lane. As I drew level with the back of the car the driver suddenly opened his door and I rode into the door, I had no other option because there were cars passing me on the right going past me as they would normally.
I was told that my body went into shock and then shut down as I had sustained total heart block.
“The immediate impact was harsh, from what I am told, the left hand side of my chest hit the top corner of the door and punctured a hole in my chest, broke a handful of ribs and fractured my sternum.
“I came off the bike and hit the windscreen of another car following me; I then bounced onto the bonnet and then hit the floor. I don’t recollect anything that happened after that other than witness accounts. I was told that my body went into shock and then shut down as I had sustained total heart block. It took 40 minutes for a rapid response vehicle to arrive and an hour for an ambulance to arrive.”
A life-changing ride home from work
Phil was rushed to the emergency trauma unit at Wythenshawe Hospital. He was considered as a special case because of the impact of hitting the door and being thrown back onto another car which caused the total heart block. The hospital had only ever seen one other case similar to Phil’s so student doctors as well as senior doctors were learning from his case. Once stabilised, he was moved to the general ward and was released from hospital a week later.
Phil’s stress and worries following the accident were added to further because the driver continuously denied responsibility.
“The driver at fault for the accident originally blamed me. They disputed that they were responsible initially but then pleaded guilty by post the day before it was due in the magistrates’ court for their prosecution.”
Phil’s stress and worries following the accident were added to further because the driver continuously denied responsibility up until the date of the court hearing.
“My life has changed dramatically since the accident. At the time, I had just bought a house with my partner and I was also due to start the police force as a special constable that following weekend. I was unable to start the training for this position so they kept the offer open for a year.
“Although I only had three weeks off work, I suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and depression so I wasn’t psychologically prepared to join the police, even a year later. My relationship broke down and it took me three years to get myself back together again.
“I have scars on my chest and cartilage lumps. Physically I came off quite well but the psychological effects are still with me.”
Rebuilding life and career dreams after the accident
“I started the police in February 2016 after 18 months of trying to get accepted again because I had to declare I have an issue with my heart and so this meant many medical appointments and checks back and forth.”
Phil has managed to rebuild his life and follow his dreams of joining the police force. Despite this, he is told he will eventually need an operation but when this will be is still unclear.
Finding the right people to negotiate my claim
“I was originally referred to another firm of solicitors who made a right mess of my case. My case is quite complex and it was being dealt with by a junior at this firm and I felt I needed more of an expert to deal with it.
“A friend mentioned Bott and Co and after doing my research, and seeing that they were knowledgeable and well-practiced in cycling accident claims, I instructed them to deal with my case and I am so glad that I did.”
Bott and Co kept me updated from start to finish.
“There was a lot missing off my file that should have been done by the original solicitors that hadn’t been but Bott and Co took over and the team got on with it.
“Now I have been compensated I can get on with my life. I will need to attend hospital appointments every few months and the scars will remain but I can finally put it behind me and move forward.”
Contact Us
If, like Philip, you’ve been involved in an accident and want to know if you can claim compensation per passenger, contact our award winning client first response team for a free, no obligation consultation.