"My car insurer gave me a solicitor for my injury claim – but I’m so glad I switched to Digby Brown"

Barry Evans was commuting home on his motorcycle on a spring day when he was catapulted through the air after being hit by a car.

The dad from Inverclyde was travelling on the Lochwinnoch to Kilmacolm road at the junction between the B786 and B788 when the driver of a Vauxhall Corsa failed to give way to him, leaving the 44-year-old with multiple serious injuries.

His bike was also destroyed with witnesses saying it was found in a field.

Mr Evans, an experienced biker, said: “I have no recollection of the accident as I blacked out, but I know the road like the back of my hand.

“I wouldn’t have been travelling at more than 40mph when I approached the junction.

“My first real memory after the collision is lying on the ground and members of the public telling me I was in a crash, and I remember hearing someone crying.”

Extensive injuries

Barry was rushed to the major trauma unit at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow where x-rays and an MRI scan revealed a catalogue of injuries.

A fractured pelvis, dislocated wrist, multiple fractures to his left arm, an injury to his elbow and the back of his right leg as well as broken right pinkie and a fractured spine.

He underwent multiple surgeries including a skin graft on his left arm, staples in his hamstring and his right hip was completely replaced.

Mr Evans spent a month recovering in hospital with his wife handling the insurance claim. 

Like most people, the family initially thought the car insurance company would help with the personal injury action so they agreed to deal with the claims handler provided by Barry's legal expenses insurance (LEI) - but the level of support and service fell short of what they expected.

A family friend later recommended they contact Digby Brown for help where David Nellaney, Partner in our Glasgow office, took on the case.

The right help at the right time

David got straight to work securing witness statements, the police report from the day of the accident and even secured CCTV footage of the collision - all key pieces of evidence to help strengthen Barry’s road traffic accident claim.

He also made sure to instruct expert medical reports to examine how the injuries would affect Mr Evan’s future and the ongoing impact on his family - including his four-year-old daughter.

David also organised physiotherapy treatment to aid Barry’s physical recovery and recommended a therapist to help with post-crash anxiety.

Barry said: “David was absolutely phenomenal; he was very informative and everything I could have hoped for. A consummate professional.

“I never had any doubt he was working away in the background, and he was always in regular contact to keep you up to date.

“He regularly checked on my physical and mental health and was lightning quick putting the right support in place for me.

“He cared and was very genuine. On a few occasions David took some of his own time to explain things to me and he made sure the Health Care Management followed through with things like physiotherapy.”

Seven months after the accident Mr Evans was able to return to his job in a school with some adjustments in place to support his ongoing recovery.

New start

A little over a year since the accident, David secured a six-figure settlement. 

Mr Evans said: "I didn't have any expectations but the regular contact with David, the professionalism and courtesy, it really put me at ease throughout the process.

“I’m okay now, but I won’t ever be back to how I was before the accident, I have a hip replacement and a plate in my arm.

“For a while when I was driving a car, I was very anxious coming up to junctions but I’m fine now - and that’s down to the help I received from Digby Brown.”