Payout for a car accident
06/04/2010

West Midlands man secures £11 million claim

A no-win, no-fee solicitor firm has secured a West Midlands man what is believed to be a record payout for a car accident.

"I am pleased that [my client] has secured such a good settlement," said the claimant's personal injury specialist.

The record payout for a car accident is comprised of a £4.25 million lump sum, plus yearly-index linked payments to be paid to the 22-year-old for the remainder of his life.

The settlement recognises the life-changing extent of the man's injuries; the 2006 crash, in which he was passenger in a car being driven dangerously by his friend, has left him a tetraplegic. He is now confined to a wheelchair and will require care for the rest of his life.

His solicitor explained some of the unique factors that led the judge deciding the case to award a record payout for a car accident. "Part of the settlement will go towards building… a purpose-built house opposite his parents' home," he said.

"He comes from a traditional Pakistani family where part of the culture is that the eldest son remains in the family home to look after his parents in old age. That is now impossible given the extent of his injuries and his care needs, so this allows him to do the next best thing."

Altogether, the compensation deal is thought to be worth more than £11 million.