Jenny was driving her car on a side road and was waiting at a traffic light before attempting to enter the Bristol Portway. This is a major road in Bristol connecting the city centre to Avonmouth Docks and leading on to the A5 but has a low-speed limit with parts of the route being at 20 mph. As the light turned green, Jenny went to join the main road but as she did an unmarked blue lights vehicle which was travelling along the main road at a high speed jumped a red light and crashed into her. Jenny stood no chance of preventing the accident as she had no warning or opportunity to know this vehicle was headed her way.
As a result of the crash, Jenny sustained multiple injuries involving broken bones and internal injuries. Her injuries included an unstable break in the pelvis, broken collarbone, broken ribs, a broken ankle, a laceration to her spleen and nerve damage leading to difficulties lifting her foot as well as some concerns regarding her bladder function.
Accidents involving blue light vehicles
Even though the Highway Code states that drivers need to take care and consider any approaching blue light vehicles, this is only applicable when they know a blue light vehicle is approaching them. In Jenny’s case there was no visibility of the car approaching and no other warning that indicated it was there. For that reason, an independent enquiry by the IOPC was launched that later on concluded the blue lights vehicle driver responsible for causing serious injury by dangerous driving and the driver was referred to the CPS for criminal charges to be brought.
Jenny came to us very soon after her accident whilst she was still in hospital so we could put things in motion for her quickly to help her benefit from early rehabilitation. We quickly agreed with the defendants funding for an initial needs assessment that recommended that Jenny should have an intensive course of rehabilitation through specialist physiotherapy treatment and some further surgery and orthotics to support with her recovery. A specialist bed was funded so Jenny was comfortable at home whilst she was in the early stages of recovery.
Jenny’s recovery following her serious injuries
Jenny’s recovery has been spectacular. With the right support in place, she has worked hard to regain her mobility completing her private physiotherapy in February 2025. Even though she is still not where she would have been had the accident not happened, she is feeling positive that by continuing to do her exercises at home she will get there. She is also benefitting from having specialist tests to ensure her bladder function is restored completely. Jenny got married to her long-term partner, who has been a great support to her, in August last year
Jenny said about her recovery:
“My accident and first few days in hospital were all a bit of a blur, however, I can remember Tim coming to see me and assuring me that he will get funding sorted for my rehab ASAP. As soon as I was given the ok to be weight bearing Tim had an appointment already arranged with a great physio team. Without the physio starting as soon as it did I do not think my recovery would have progressed as it has. Tim has enabled anything I have needed to aid my recovery to be accessible. Thank you so much.”
Tim Jones, the Personal Injury Legal Director representing Jenny said “We are in the process of gathering medical evidence of how her injuries are likely to impact on her life going forward so we can secure the right amount of compensation to help Jenny meet all her needs, including any new needs she has developed, as a result of what happened.”
How we can help you
At Enable Law we have a dedicated team of personal injury solicitors that help road crash victims and their loved ones get their lives back on track following a serious injury. To have a free chat with a member of our team about the ways we may be able to help you call us on 0800 044 8488 or fill in our contact form so we can call you back at a time convenient for you.
