Solicitor Makes Plea As Cyclist Suffers Fractured Skull Due To Careless Driver
22/12/2010
A leading head injury solicitor has issued a warning of the consequences of dangerous driving after a cyclist was left with serious head injuries by a taxi driver who was making an illegal turn at a busy junction.
Stacy Gee, a head injury specialist at law firm Irwin Mitchell, has urged drivers to consider the “disastrous consequences” of their actions after 39-year-old James Boardwell was left suffering from memory problems following the accident.
Mr Boardwell, 39, from Brocco Bank, Sheffield was cycling home from work on 25 May 2010 when he was knocked off his bike by a taxi driver making an illegal right turn onto Glossop Road from Hanover Way, Sheffield.
The driver of the taxi, Nadeem Mohammed, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless driving at Sheffield Magistrates Court and was fined a total of £275. He was also disqualified from driving for six months.
Mr Boardwell, despite wearing a cycle helmet, suffered a fractured forehead and now struggles with his memory. He also sustained serious injuries to muscles and tendons in his shoulder which may require surgery.
He has since been able to return to his role as the director of an internet research company but because of the extent of his injuries, he will need to undergo rehabilitation, including physiotherapy, to aid his recovery.
Personal injury solicitors from Irwin Mitchell are now helping Mr Boardwell with his bike accident claim and with his ongoing rehabilitation.
Ms Gee, a head injury specialist at law firm Irwin Mitchell, said: “Through no fault of his own Mr Boardwell suffered serious injuries, and while we are still assessing the extent of his injuries it is clear he will require rehabilitation to help his recovery.
“We are committed to making sure Mr Boardwell is able to access the level of rehabilitation he deserves as he looks to recover from these injuries.
“Motorists need to be aware that if they drive carelessly they are putting the lives and wellbeing of other innocent people at risk, and so often it results in disastrous consequences for the victims.”
Mr Boardwell said: “As a result of my accident I have been struggling with my memory and have had to take time off work, which has made things difficult as I am a company director.
“I missed out on time with my children over the school holidays as it was difficult to manage my recovery at the same time and family members helped out.
"I'm still struggling to do the things I was doing before the accident, like swimming and running, so the shoulder may need to be operated on."
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