Waitress with “snapped teeth” secures £55,000 after being dragged along road by taxi

Sitcoms and movies might show clothing stuck in a car door as something to laugh about.

But for Christie Mulaghton it left her with agonising facial injuries. 

The 23-year-old was returning home to Gourock after a night out for a friend’s birthday when her jacket was closed in the taxi door.

Unaware anything was wrong, the driver then continued on his way. 

This resulted in Christie being dragged and scraped for nearly 20 feet across the tarmac at speed before the jacket finally tore free.

Recalling the shocking incident, she said: “The taxi just went off and took me off my feet.

“I was dragged along the road.

“I don’t remember much of the actual dragging but when it stopped I could feel pain just about everywhere. 

“I started to feel about my body to check what was hurt and that’s when I realised my two front teeth were snapped and I had cuts to my face.

“I was in an insane amount of shock.

“I was screaming in the street.

“I just couldn’t process what had happened.”

Christie was on her own when she left the taxi which meant she faced the immediate pain alone.

But she managed to bravely compose herself and make her way to the front door of her mother’s house where she was then taken to A&E.

Medical staff treated her cuts and minor injuries.

But the dental repair work that needed completed was extensive. 

Christie lost two-thirds of two top front teeth and underwent multiple root canal procedures, temporary aesthetic fillings and ongoing cosmetic dental treatment, including veneers.

The treatment spanned several months and it is likely she will need further dental support in the future.

At the time of the accident Christie only just started working as a waitress. 

She was forced to take more than two weeks off while she recovered and attended emergency dental appointments.

Beyond the physical injuries, the incident had a lasting psychological impact. 

She struggled with anxiety, sleep problems and a significant loss of confidence, avoiding social situations and refusing to travel by taxi.

Christie added: “I felt humiliated to be seen. I didn’t want to open my mouth or eat because it was a constant reminder that the damage was permanent.

“My mental health has probably never been as low.

“It completely depleted my confidence and made me anxious about everyday things.”

During her treatment Christie started to worry about the future – her injury had already cost her £800 as a result of lost earnings and dental costs. 

That’s when she came to Digby Brown. Her claim was handled by Ryan Connelly, a solicitor in the firm’s Glasgow office, who began investigating the circumstances of the incident.

Although the taxi drove off after the incident Ryan was able to track down the driver responsible by speaking with the taxi firm. 

At first the insurers for the taxi firm disputed Christie’s version of events however the volume of evidence Ryan gathered meant they soon changed their position.

Ryan secured an admission of liability and settled the case for £55,000 – all without the need to go to court. 

Christie said: “I was really scared I wouldn’t be taken seriously. When the insurance company admitted liability, I remember sitting down and crying. It felt really vindicating.

“Ryan was amazing and helped me through one of the most difficult times of my life.

“What could have been a long and stressful process was made so much easier with his support and compassion.”