Hit and run victim secures life changing compensation following amputation

“I try not to think about what happened as there’s no point in getting angry, it doesn’t get you anywhere and I can’t change it.”

Stuart, 31, had his life change forever after he was struck by a hit and run driver as he walked home. 

As the driver could not be traced, a personal injury claim was brought against the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) – an organisation specifically set up to compensate crash victims in cases like hit and runs.

“I didn’t think I would be able to get any help but I thought it was worth a try. I’m so glad I got in touch, Digby Brown was brilliant and able to help right away. The process was very straightforward too.”

To help Stuart recover as fully as possible Damian White, Partner in our Ayr office, arranged for an immediate interim payment from MIB to help pay bills, organise taxis to take him to hospital for check-ups and treatment and put Stuart in touch with the best medical experts. 

But despite the best efforts of medics, Stuart’s injury was so severe that the only realistic option was to amputate his leg.

“I has so many operations, including 19 hours of plastic surgery, but nothing was working. I was still in so much pain, and I was close to breaking point. The amputation of my leg seemed like the only solution".

Before the accident, Stuart lived an everyday life of seeing friends, going for walks and, playing football and golf.

But this all stopped. 

“I haven’t seen my friends in years as I’m no longer the person I used to be – I can’t do the things I used to do before.”

The MIB made Stuart a five-figure offer for his case – but this was before his leg was amputated. Stuart was tempted to accept but we encouraged him to wait as this did not take into account the funds needed for future prosthetics or care.

In the end, by following our expert advice, Stuart recovered 24 times more than the MIB’s initial offer.

“Since the amputation, my mobility is a 100 times better and although the pain is still there, it’s now manageable. Before it was like my leg was there, but I couldn’t use it. Life is finally getting better.”

With the help of charities, Stuart is learning to get his life back and overcome the mental challenges he’s faced as part of his recovery. 

“My life changed, but I’m looking forward. With the compensation, I have bought three new prosthetics for running, walking and swimming so I can build up my strength in my leg and start golfing again.

“I now hope to go to college and meet new people– everything is getting a bit easier every day.”