Enable Law client Amanda* was a passenger in a car travelling on a motorway after dark when the vehicle collided with a cow that had strayed onto the carriageway. All occupants in the car were injured in the collision. Liability for the claim was admitted at an early stage by the farmer’s insurer, NFU Mutual, allowing the focus to move quickly to Amanda’s injuries, recovery and longer-term needs.
Early support and rehabilitation
From the outset, Enable Law solicitor Julia Prior worked closely with Amanda to ensure she had access to the support she needed during the most difficult period following the accident. Amanda had sustained a fractured vertebra and developed anxiety about motorway travel. As a self-employed hairdresser, she was unable to stand for long periods and was concerned about her ability to continue working and supporting her family.
Enable Law secured funding from the insurer to cover physiotherapy for Amanda’s physical injuries, alongside psychological therapy to help her manage her travel-related anxiety. This early intervention played a vital role in supporting Amanda’s recovery and helping her regain confidence, even though her symptoms did not fully resolve.
Early settlement offers
The insurer made early settlement offers to all injured passengers before medical evidence had been obtained. Amanda’s friends chose to accept those offers and settle their claims quickly. However, Julia Prior advised Amanda that accepting an early offer of £20,000 could significantly undervalue her claim, given the seriousness of her injuries and the uncertainty around her future ability to work.
With Enable Law’s guidance, Amanda decided to continue with her claim, allowing time for a clearer medical prognosis to be established.
Medical evidence and long-term impact
Enable Law arranged for Amanda to be assessed by a specialist orthopaedic consultant with expertise in spinal injuries. While early reports could not confirm whether or not her symptoms would fully resolve, the consultant recommended further physiotherapy and ongoing review.
After additional treatment and follow-up, the expert confirmed that Amanda’s condition had stabilised and that she would continue to experience ongoing pain and functional limitations. She would remain restricted in the hours she could work as a hairdresser and was likely to retire earlier than planned.
Financial losses and protecting the claim
As a self-employed individual, Amanda’s loss of earnings was complex to calculate. Amanda had never needed to employ an accountant but kept her own records of her earnings for tax purposes. Her work history was complicated by the fact that Amanda had moved from an employed to a self employed role and was still building up her business when the Covid restrictions took effect. When the accident happened, her business was still recovering and she was still building up her clientele. Julia Prior undertook a detailed analysis of Amanda’s work history, accounts and future earning potential to build a realistic and robust claim.
To protect Amanda’s position, Enable Law issued protective court proceedings shortly before the three-year limitation deadline, ensuring the claim could continue while negotiations progressed.
Settlement and outcome
Following negotiations, the insurer increased their offer from £60,000 to just under £105,000, which Amanda accepted. This settlement reflected not only her injuries, but also the lasting impact on her working life and financial security.
By prioritising Amanda’s recovery, securing early rehabilitation, and resisting pressure to settle too soon, Enable Law helped Amanda achieve a fair outcome that supports her long-term wellbeing and future stability.
Amanda commented on her experience of working with Julia, saying
“[Julia] listened to me during times of anxiety and guided me throughout the process. I am so pleased with the outcome of the case and cannot thank Julia enough for turning what was once a life-changing experience into one where I now have a promising future. Thank you, Julia.”
How Enable Law can help you
At Enable Law we have a dedicated team of personal injury solicitors with experience with farming and animal related accidents. We have often encountered cases of farmers incorrectly securing potentially dangerous livestock, leading to serious injuries. Whether it is through road traffic accidents like Amanda or an incident in a public right of way, for example when a tourist was attacked by cows inappropriately kept in a field with a footpath running through it, we can help secure compensation and access to necessary rehabilitation and physiotherapy to help with recovery.
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.
*Name has been changed
