Injured motorist awarded €295k after car spun directly into her

A motorist injured in a head-on collision was awarded €295,000 in an assessment of her injuries at the High Court sitting in Cork yesterday.

Mr Justice Henry Abbott said plaintiff Frances Whelan, aged 42, (also known as Frances Bailey) of Killakane, Mitchelstown, Co Cork, suffered neck and back injuries in the impact. Abdominal injuries resulted from the seatbelt she was wearing.

The accident happened on November 18 2011 when a car coming against her near Glanmire had a blow-out and spun directly into her.

The judge said that, without the activation of the airbag in her car, the impact was so severe that the injuries could have been much more severe, if not fatal.

The court stated that €70,000 of the award was for pain and suffering.

Loss of earnings to date were put at over €70,000 and loss of earnings for the future at €150,000.