Fatal Bus Crash in Cheshire, Dependants Could Sue

The dependants of a mother and daughter mown down by a bus in Knutsford, Cheshire, could sue the bus driver, says Carol Jackson, who heads the Personal Injury department of Manchester law firm, Pannone LLP.

53 year old John Scott crushed the two women under the wheels of his bus and has been banned from driving for 9 months and fined £1,000 by a Magistrates Court for ’careless driving’

Scott knocked over Jenny Webb, who was 83, and her 53 year old daughter Jean in March 2007. He claimed not to see them as they were trying to wave down the vehicle at a bus stop. Their multiple injuries were so severe that both died at the scene of the accident.

Tougher penalties
Following the Court ruling, there have been calls from road safety campaigners for the charge of ’careless driving’ to be scrapped. They want tougher penalties that reflect the seriousness of the accident if someone dies or is seriously injured due to driving that is not safe or in line with the Highway Code. This is because the power of a Magistrates Court in this type of case is limited to a fine and withdrawal of a driving licence.

Carol Jackson commented further, “The dependants of these poor women may wish to sue to bus driver for fatal injury compensation. Under the Fatal Accidents Act, dependants can claim for loss of financial support, loss of other types of support such as childcare or household duties, loss of benefits such as pension rights, bereavement compensation for pain and suffering and funeral expenses. Sadly, they can only expect modest figures for compensation. In 2007 bereavement compensation was increased from £10,000 to £11,800 for each person involved in a fatal accident occurring from 1 January 2008. However, as the above accident took place in March last year the £10,000 will still apply.

Carol Jackson is a personal injury solicitor specialising in no win, no fee compensation claims at Pannone LLP in Manchester. Carol is a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), and a member of the Law Society Personal Injury Panel. For more information please visit http://www.pannone.com/solicitors-for-you/personal-injury.asp

Contact Information

Carol Jackson

Personal Injury Solicitor

Pannone LLP

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