Motorcyclist John Blackburn from Tyne and Weir was seriously injured in a road traffic accident in the Borders in July 2007. Among other injuries, John suffered fractures to his right femur, left collar bone and a vertebrae in his spine.

 

“I’ve no memory of the immediate aftermath of the crash, although I do remember being told I’d broken my back and the feeling of relief when I was able to move my toes,” says John, who was hit by a Nissan Terrano while negotiating a right hand bend on a narrow country road near Hawick.

 

“As I went round the corner, all I could see was a large jeep, right across my side of the road. I tried to get out of the way – but the next thing I remember was asking the ambulance driver what my bike was like and being told it was a right mess. I don’t remember being hit by the jeep or colliding with the rock face at the side of the road.”

 

With a view to seeking compensation from the driver of the Nissan Terrano, whenever John was discharged from hospital, he sought legal advice, “The first firm of solicitors I contacted, who were based in England, said they would be happy to represent me, which was good news as the driver of the jeep was blaming me for the accident,” John recalled.

 

Seven months later, and with the Terrano driver still blaming John, his solicitors explained that they would be unable to proceed any further with his case. John had been injured while riding his CBR 600 in Scotland and, as English lawyers, they had no jurisdiction in the Scottish courts, where it looked as though this case would have to be settled. However, thankfully, they recommended a specialist legal practice in Scotland by the name of Digby Brown.

 

John contacted Digby Brown’s Motorcycle Law Department and, following several very informative phone calls, had his first meeting with the head of the department, Brenda Mitchell, in April 2008. “Right from the start, nothing was too much trouble for the team at Digby Brown,” said John.

 

Brenda arranged for John’s case to be handled by Trish McFadden, Senior Solicitor with the Digby Brown Motorcycle Law Department. Trish, an expert in the legal aspects of motorcycle accidents, had also undergone the firm’s specially-devised training so knew about many other aspects of motorcycles and motorcycling, particularly on rural roads.

 

“Trish was always very helpful and kept me up to date with everything that was happening with my case,” said John. “Nothing was too much trouble for Trish or any of the Digby Brown team and I felt they all wanted to win for me.”

 

A Court action was raised on John’s behalf in the highest civil court in Scotland. “Trish agreed the accident was not my fault and, as liability had been denied, the only way ahead was a court action,” said John.

The Court hearing was set for February 2010 but, at the beginning of January 2010, the case was settled out of court in JOhn's favour. "I was over the moon with the outcome and received a good settlement," he said. "I would definitely recommend other motorcyclists who have been injured on a Scottish road to go to Digby Browm."

 

If you wish to make a motorcycle accident claim in Scotland, call the Digby Brown Motorcycle Law Department on 0845 273 2323 or complete an Enquiry Form .