A rider who was hit by a fast-moving car while hacking has received £12,000 compensation.
Sarah Nash, from the Vale of Glamorgan, was riding her horse Scooby on 18 December 2011, when she was struck.
“We were all wearing high vis gear, but when I looked behind us the car was coming fast. There was a big bank on our left side so we had nowhere to go, and the car struck its wing mirror on my right leg,” she told H&H.
The force of the impact knocked the wing mirror off.
Scooby was not injured, but Miss Nash sustained whip lash and was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder.
As a result of the accident Miss Nash moved to another yard to get away from the road where she had the accident.
“I’m not a nervous rider, but I was beginning to get panicky on that road, and felt as if I was becoming a prisoner in my yard,” she said. “I’ve had Scooby for 10 years and I’m so glad he’s sensible — if he’d been younger or spooky then I dread to think what could have happened.”
The claim was brought for her physical injuries, psychological injury and associated financial losses of moving yards.
The matter was settled out of court on 9 January this year as the car that struck her was found to have been travelling too fast and failed to leave enough room. The driver admitted liability in full.
“While liability was settled in our client’s favour early on, it was important to delay settling the case until Sarah had a clear prognosis,” said Hanna Campbell from HorseSolictor.
“Without the medical evidence and a clear prognosis it is impossible to accurately value a claim and there would have been a risk of under-settling the matter.
“This shows the importance of seeking advice from a solicitor who specialises in traffic accidents involving horses.”
This article was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (6 February, 2014)
