David Knifton QC secures £3.9m settlement for motorcyclist

November 13, 2018

At a settlement meeting held at the end of last month, David Knifton QC negotiated an award of £3.9m for a motorcyclist who suffered life-threatening injuries when he was involved in a collision with an oncoming car, which was overtaking other vehicles on the wrong side of the road. The closing speed of the 2 vehicles was assessed at 100 mph. The accident had left the claimant seriously disabled, with a non-functioning right arm due to a severe brachial plexus injury, and significant cognitive and behavioural problems due to a severe brain injury.

The case was complicated by the fact that the claimant’s helmet was dislodged in the collision, with expert evidence indicating that the strap must have been unfastened, causing his unprotected head to collide with the offside rear door pillar of the car. Nevertheless, David was able to negotiate a global settlement 0f £3.9m with little or no reduction for contributory negligence. The award included a substantial sum to enable the claimant to purchase a bungalow, in addition to his lifetime loss of earnings, and support worker costs.

David was instructed by Helen Shakespeare of Thompsons Solicitors.

David practises exclusively in high-value personal injury and clinical negligence cases, primarily on behalf of claimants. He is recommended as a leader in those fields by both Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500.