BPS Law Secure Out of Court Settlement in Fatal Motorcycle Accident Case

BPS are pleased to announce that litigation on behalf of Leah’s estate has resulted in a substantial settlement being negotiated with the insurers of Ryan Smith, who chose not to contest Leah’s claim before the civil court.

Sefton Kwasnik from BPS Law Solicitors stated that the following facts all emerged from the evidence at the Inquest;-

“The Inquest lasted 2 days.

5 eyewitnesses to the incident attended.

The Police have also confirmed;-

The point of impact was close to the centre of the road.

Eyewitnesses stated that Ryan Smith was riding on the wrong side of the road.

The first recorded accounts, by police, of 3 eye witnesses, on the night confirmed Ryan was travelling at about 100mph.

A fourth eyewitnesses first account put the speed at a minimum of 80 mph.

CCTV footage exists showing how Ryan started his descent before the fatal collision.

Part of that shows a witness doing his 3 point turn in his Saxo, to turn in a easterly direction, having followed Ryan westerly up Fourmarts Road.

The CCTV footage also shows Ryan setting off on his descent easterly along Fourmarts Road.

The police timed the turning manouvre of that witness at 7 seconds.

About 2/3 seconds within that time Ryan is seen accelerating away, driving harshly.

According to the witness, by the time he is starting his forwards journey, and is about parallel with the visible HGV, he sees the effects of the impact.

In other words, if his account can be believed, Ryan has travelled that entire distance in possibly as little as 5 or 6 seconds. Contrary to the figure in the police report we have calculated the distance travelled as about 325 meters.

The police also confirmed that Ryan was driving contrary to the terms of his driving licence, given his age, and the power output on the bike.

Further the police confirmed that the limiter on his Honda Hornet had been removed, and it must be assumed that Ryan was fully aware of this and deliberately rode his bike fully in that knowledge.

Further the police confirmed that the visor on Ryan’s crash helmet was unlawful for night time conditions.

Another witness described seeing the crash, saying effectively that it occurred in the mouth of Hillridge Road. Physical evidence and the Police Expert positively assert that the impact occurred in the centre of the road.”

So it was obviously against the background of those facts that Ryan Smith’s insurance company settled the Claim on behalf of Leah’s estate.

Mrs Mandy Lawrenson, Leah’s mother said after the settlement;-

“No amount of money can begin to compensate our family for Leah’s tragic and preventable loss of life.

She was taken from us whilst riding her motor bike correctly and in accordance with her licence. Her bike carried no modifications and was fully legal and roadworthy as was all of her equipment.

We would like to make everyone fully aware of the dangers of removing speed limiters from motor bikes, and also riding bikes at night with the wrong visors.

We would also encourage all riders to ride their bikes on the correct side of the road and within the speed limit.

We do not want other parents to suffer in the same way as our entire family including Leah’s twin sister, and hope that valuable safety lessons can be learnt from this tragedy.”

Here at BPSLAW we have a specialist department that deals with all forms of fatal accident.

We treat our clients with understanding and compassion in a professional manner at all times.

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