WR Solicitor & Director Jonathan LeachEven if injuries suffered in road accidents are relatively slight, the consequences of trauma can be devastating. In this article, WR Director and Head of Personal Injury, Jonathan Leach examines how the consequences of emotional trauma can have a significant bearing on an accident claim. That was certainly so in one case concerning a senior IT manager who won a six-figure compensation award for the psychiatric consequences of a head-on collision.

Emotional trauma and accident claims

The man had been hit by another driver who was travelling on the wrong side of a dual carriageway in an apparent attempt at self-harm. Miraculously, neither motorist was seriously physically injured in the crash. However, in the six years since, the man has suffered depression of quite exceptional severity. Despite extensive treatment, he has been unable to put the memory of the accident behind him and his career has been wrecked. His wife has also had to give up her job as a school librarian in order to care for him.He commenced a personal injury claim and, after extensive negotiations, the other driver’s insurers admitted liability for the accident and agreed to a settlement of his case. The exact amount of the compensation award was kept confidential, but it was a six-figure sum. In approving the settlement, a judge expressed the hope that it would enable the man’s wife to relinquish, at least to some extent, her role as nurse and carer.

Compensation for emotional trauma in personal injury claims

Jonathan Leach, Director and Head of our Personal Injury department at Watson Ramsbottom commented: “Not everyone is aware that even if serious physical injury is not suffered, a compensation claim can be made if serious trauma has occurred and resulted in an emotional or mental health issue. The best advice is to speak to us directly about your case and we can talk through your specific circumstances. It is also worth noting that accident victims who turn down an insurer’s initial offer and take legal advice from a solicitor get on average 2-3 times more compensation. ”

Speak to a solicitor specialising in personal injury claims

If you have been injured in an accident through no fault of your own, you could be entitled to compensation, please contact us on 01254 30 10 44 or complete our online enquiry form to discuss your concerns with one of our team of expert advisors.

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