Truck driver suffers multiple injuries in traumatic road traffic accident

The Claimant, now aged 54 years, was involved in a road traffic accident in September 2011 when the truck he was driving was initially involved in a minor collision with a car being driven by the Defendant, travelling in the lane to the right of him along the A2. The Claimant was able to control his truck, but the Defendant’s vehicle then disappeared from view before swinging across the carriageway into the driver’s side of the truck, causing it to be pushed over towards the hard shoulder. The truck then rolled two or three times and hit the crash barrier on the hard shoulder.

The Claimant was partially ejected through the driver’s side window of the truck and trapped underneath the cab.

The Claimant suffered extensive orthopaedic and other injuries including broken ribs, a broken femur and multiple pelvic fractures. He also suffered a serious injury to his right hand, together with internal injuries and the psychological effects of the accident. Medical evidence from experts in five separate disciplines was obtained.

The mechanism of the accident raised complex evidential issues regarding the effects of “rollover” of a vehicle.