A mum who lost her leg in a horror hit-and-run crash has been awarded £1 million after taking legal action against the driver.
Kerrie Lavery, 26, suffered a life-changing injury after Thomas Granger, 47, mowed her down in his BMW while driving at 81mph – more than double the 40mph limit – near Clydebank, Dunbartonshire on October 2, 2021.
The young mum’s right leg was amputated after the collision and her friend Alanah Boyle, 29, also suffered a fractured pelvis as the pair walked arm-in-arm on their way home from a charity bash.
Following the incident, Granger carried on driving, until he doubled back and revisited the scene.
The rest of Kerrie’s group thought Granger was a passer-by and, when he stopped, they asked him to call an ambulance. However, when they realised he was the one who caused the crash, Granger promptly sped off. He was later apprehended by the police.
Granger was caged for 33 months and banned from roads for seven years in May, after he was convicted of causing serious injury by driving dangerously and failing to stop at the scene.
Kerrie raised a compensation claim at the Court of Session in September of last year to secure a lifetime’s supply of medical treatment.
Now, her lawyers Digby Brown have revealed that this action has been successfully settled.
Speaking last year after raising the court action, Kerrie said Granger had to be ‘held accountable.’
She said: “I can’t pretend the collision didn’t have a profound impact on my life because it did.
“No one expects to suffer an injury like this but I’ve really tried to do my best to stay positive and keep leading as normal a life as possible because I really believe that ‘life changing’ doesn’t have to mean ‘life-ending’.
“I don’t really know what to say about the driver… he got more jail time than I expected so that’s something.
“I’m not a bitter or vengeful person but I think it is right that he is held accountable as everything that happened around this incident sends a really strong message to people about road safety and justice so it’s important that it has, I guess, an appropriate ending.”
Alanah from Paisley, Renfrewshire previously added: “That was the first night I met Kerrie but the aftermath resulted in us becoming very close.
“I was lucky to not be more significantly injured but I’ve always struggled with survivor’s guilt – I’m just proud to see how Kerrie has recovered and maintains her positivity. She’s properly inspirational.”
Chris Stewart, Partner at Digby Brown Solicitors, said: “What happened to Kerrie was agonising and life-changing and something no young mother should have to endure.
“I can’t comment on specifics around the civil claim but I can confirm the action has now settled which means Kerrie can access the best possible medical treatment for the rest of her life as well as secure her financial future after the crash impacted her ability to work.
“Kerrie has already proven her strength and determination throughout her recovery from physios to prosecution hearings to simply staying upbeat for her wee boy… of course there are hard days but I know she also has a positive and tight-knit network of friends and family who offer support.
“I hope that Kerrie, Alanah and their families may now have the means to move forwards into the peaceful and positive future they deserve.”
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond.Sign up to our daily newsletter.