Whilst riding his motorbike on his day off in August, a van in front of him performed a sudden U-turn across a dual carriageway. Paul, a 36-year-old father-of-two, does not remember anything about the accident, although there was nothing he could have done to avoid the crash; he hit the side of the van at around 60mph, which resulted in him being thrown down the carriageway.
Quick thinking from Paul?s close friend Andrew, whom he had been riding with prior to the collision, helped save Paul?s life, taking rapid action to clear Paul?s airways after the impact. The accident left Paul with a paralysed left arm due to nerve damage, which has resulted in him not being able to return to work. He sustained a number of serious injuries, which include six broken ribs, a punctured lung, a compound fracture of the left arm and damaged spinal nerves.
Due to the severity of his multiple injuries, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance took Paul to Leeds General Infirmary, with his wife being told to prepare for the worst. Luckily, for Paul, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance had him at the hospital within minutes. Paul has recently taken part in fundraising activities after visiting the air support unit in order to thank the paramedics and pilot that attended to the crash scene.
Paul?s fundraising event attracted over 100 attendees, and helped to raise almost 3000, which has been donated to the charity to enable them to continue their work and go towards saving someone else?s life. He keen to encourage others to find out more about the charity?s work.
The van driver involved in the accident recently pleaded guilty at Bradford Crown Court to driving without due care and attention, which Paul attended with his wife. He received a six-month ban from driving and a 525 fine, after which he apologised to Paul, who is looking forward to finally getting closure on this life-changing incident.
Fletchers are proud to be working with Paul and seeing that he is using his accident in an incredibly positive manner, to raise awareness of the work carried out by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance alongside highlighting the importance of being aware of bikes when driving.
Here at Fletchers we are vastly experienced in dealing with cases that have left people like Paul with serious injuries following avoidable collisions, and our aim is to always ensure that our clients receive the care and rehabilitation they need to get their life back on track.
