Royal Mail Double Take as Cyclist Wins Injury Claim

A cyclist involved in a collision with a Royal Mail van has been awarded a £7,300 personal injury payout thanks to the legal services provided by Simpson Millar LLP through the Communication Workers Union (CWU).

In a remarkable coincidence, 62 year old postman David Thompson from Leeds was knocked sideways off his bicycle by a van driver who also works for the Royal Mail. He was on his way home from a night shift at the Leeds Mail Centre in December 2011 when the accident occurred at the junction of Pontefract Road and Queen Street.

"The van driver pulling out of Queen Street said afterwards that he just didn’t see me, even though I was wearing a high visibility jacket and police at the scene confirmed that my bicycle lights were on," said David.

He added: "The impact of the collision sent me flying across the road and into the other lane. I was lucky it was so early in the morning otherwise I could easily have been killed by oncoming traffic. Thankfully my helmet remained on my head which is what I believe saved me from an even more serious injury."

David was rushed to hospital where he was treated for numerous injuries including soft tissue damage to his ribs, chest wall, thigh, loin, and the lumbar region of his spine.

"For the first few weeks I slept in a chair downstairs; I was in so much pain and it was the only way I could get comfortable," said David. "It was a dreadful Christmas for the whole family. When I returned to work in January I was given light duties and shorter hours to help my rehabilitation."

As member of the CWU, David was entitled to legal help from Simpson Millar LLP Solicitors. Susan Vanden, a partner at the firm’s Manchester office who specialises in road traffic accident personal injury claims, took on the case.

"Susan and her team were amazing – leaving no stone unturned. They even managed to track down missing medical information which helped my claim," said David. "The incident has left me traumatised and I’ll never ride a bike again. The compensation helps, but this is something that will stay with me forever."

David now has to catch public transport to and from the Royal Mail Centre, which has increased work-related costs and added more time to his journey.

"I have to get off the bus 2 stops ahead of my workplace so that I can use the pedestrian crossing, I’m so anxious and wary of the traffic. My advice to other cyclists is to always wear a helmet," he said.

Susan said: "David’s case wasn’t simply about seeking compensation for his physical injuries. The incident seriously affected his mental wellbeing. When we spoke to David’s colleagues it was clear that he had a significant amount of cycling experience and the loss of confidence on the road changed his life. Hopefully the compensation will make a difference and I am glad that we were able to help."