At Keenan Solicitors, we recently secured a £230,000 settlement for a retired cyclist who suffered severe and life-altering injuries after being struck by a vehicle at a roundabout in Ballymena.

This was a hard-fought case, with the defendant denying liability from the outset. Through expert legal strategy, extensive medical assessments, and forensic collision investigation, we successfully built a comprehensive case, forcing the defendant to settle for a substantial figure just before the scheduled High Court contest.

What Happened?

Our client, a keen cyclist, was riding through Ballymena when he approached a roundabout.

• There was no oncoming traffic, and he correctly proceeded onto the roundabout.
• As he passed the first exit, a vehicle suddenly emerged and struck him.
• He suffered serious injuries, including:
  • Facial, dental, and head trauma.
  • A brain injury with long-term cognitive effects.
  • Significant emotional distress following the accident.

Police and ambulance arrived, and he was hospitalised for five days.

Understanding the devastating impact of the accident, he turned to Keenan Solicitors, having been recommended for our expertise in serious Road Traffic Accident cases.

The Case:

1. Gathering Evidence & Overcoming Liability Disputes

• Ciaran Keenan took immediate action, obtaining PSNI reports to identify the at-fault driver.
• We issued a letter of claim to the driver and their insurer.
• The insurance company denied liability, arguing our client was at fault for the accident.

As liability was contested, we obtained a Forensic Collision Investigation Report, which:

• Retraced the accident step-by-step.
• Provided expert analysis supporting our client’s version of events.
• Strengthened our case significantly for court proceedings.

2. Medical Assessment & Documentation

Our client’s injuries were complex, requiring multiple expert assessments to document the full impact.

We arranged medical reports from:

• Consultant in A&E Medicine – Assessing emergency trauma.
• Consultant Psychiatrist – Evaluating the emotional and psychological effects.
• Consultant Maxillofacial Surgeon – Detailing facial and dental injuries.
• Consultant Ophthalmologist – Examining vision impairments.
• Consultant Neurosurgeon – Assessing the brain injury’s long-term impact.
• Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist – Documenting cognitive and personality changes.

In a bid to reduce the scope of our client’s claim, the defendant arranged their own medical experts, including:

A Psychiatrist, Neurosurgeon, Clinical Neuropsychologist, and Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine.

3. Legal Action & Securing Maximum Compensation

• Due to the severity of injuries and denial of liability, we issued High Court proceedings to progress the claim.
• The case was fully prepared for a contested trial, with all necessary expert medical evidence and accident analysis.
• Just before the scheduled High Court contest, we engaged in final negotiations with the defendant’s legal team.
• We successfully secured a substantial settlement of £230,000.

The Outcome:

• £230,000 settlement secured after strong legal representation.
• Defendant’s liability denial overcome through expert investigation.
• Comprehensive medical assessments ensured full injury documentation.
• Case resolved without the need for a full High Court contest.

Our client was highly satisfied with the hard-fought result, ensuring he received the compensation necessary for his long-term recovery.

Injured in a Serious Road Traffic Accident? We Can Help!

If you’ve suffered severe injuries in an RTA, our expert legal team will fight for and secure the maximum compensation you deserve.