A woman has been awarded £800,000 compensation following a motorcycle accident in December 2004.

Lisa Bennett, 43, was hit by a car as she travelled to a night shift at the hospital she was working at. She was a second year degree student at Bournemouth University and training to be a psychiatric nurse.

Ms Bennett, who has a son, now aged 18, had her right leg amputated below the knee and needed four subsequent operations to control infection. Alongside this, she suffered multiple fractures to her ribs, spine, left knee and shoulder.

Her son was 12 years old at the time of the motorcycle accident and had to care for his mother during her period of recovery. Ms Bennett still suffers pain due to nerve damage, and although she uses a prosthetic limb, regularly needs to use a wheelchair.

She made the compensation claim against the driver of the vehicle that knocked her off her motorcycle. In an out of court settlement, the driver admitted 80% liability for the accident. This is because the rear light on Ms Bennett's bike had been faulty and not working correctly at the time the vehicle hit her, making it more difficult for her to be seen. Therefore, Ms Bennett was held to be 20% 'contributory negligent' for the accident, and the £1 million compensation was reduced to £800,000.

Thompsons Solicitors specialise in all types of road traffic accidents and are here to help you if you have suffered a personal injury in an accident that was not your fault.  Call 0800 0891331 to speak with our specialist lawyers who will deal with your claim for compensaiton on a No Win No Fee basis.