PARALYSED PEDESTRIAN AWARDED ‘LIFE CHANGING’ COMPENSATION
A County Durham man who suffered severe head injuries after
being struck by a bus while crossing the road, has won his right to
substantial compensation,
After drinking with friends, Stephen Lightfoot was walking in
Langley Park when a single-decker bus ploughed into him, launching
him across a busy road. The collision brought about serious head
injuries to Mr Lightfoot, who was left requiring round-the-clock
care after doctors at the University Hospital of North Durham
rushed to save his life.
The driver of the vehicle, Derek Kent, was captured on CCTV
looking down at a bus timetable that was on his lap seconds before
the collision and was later found guilty of careless driving.
However despite this decision, the driver and his employer, the
Go-Ahead Group Plc, denied causing the accident due to negligence.
Durham Crown Court disagreed, ruling that the company had to share
responsibility for the accident with Mr. Lightfoot, who was partly
to blame due to his own negligence and the fact that he was
intoxicated at the time.
As a result, 60% of the compensation will be paid by the
Go-Ahead Group, and while the actual amount of compensation Mr.
Lightfoot will receive is to be decided at a future hearing, the
severity of his injuries will most likely result in a substantial
payout.
Mr Lightfoot's injuries altered his life forever, but the advent
of personal injury compensation will go some way to making it as
comfortable as possible. If you've been injured and it wasn't your
fault, no matter the severity of the injury, contact our solicitors
today and see what compensation is available.