Car accident news
30/11/2007

Grandmother wins brain damage compensation

A grandmother of four who suffered severe brain damage when she was knocked down by a police car has been awarded personal injury compensation of £4 million.

The 55-year-old Tyneside woman was in a coma for two years after the car accident and will require 24-hour care for the rest of her life.

She had been walking across a pelican crossing in Newcastle in April 2002 when the police car hit her. Not only did she suffer brain injuries in the smash, but she was also left with multiple fractures.

The police officer had been answering a 999 call at the time of the road traffic accident and the constable behind the wheel was later convicted of dangerous driving and forced to resign from the force.

The £4 million personal injury compensation payout was approved by a judge at London's High Court and the money will be used to provide the brain damaged woman with the nursing care that she requires.

Speaking after the car accident claim payout was settled, the woman's husband said, "What I want more than anything else is for this not to have happened at all.

"But we are happy with the amount and it should be enough to care for her for the rest of her life. It is a big relief it is all over because it has been dragging on for years."