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AN EASTCHURCH MAN has won Dm in damages following a
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truck crash 14 years ago which left him needing 24-hour care.
London's High Court heard how Douglas Taylor was being trained for a top position at his father's Sheppey-based haulage firm Taylor Bothers Plant Hire when the accident occurred.
He was driving over the brow of a hill on the B2231 near Minster on 18 January 1990 when his car ploughed into one of his father's trucks. He suffered life threatening injuries to his head and chest, together with severe internal damage and fractures to both legs.
For Taylor, Brian Langstaff QC said Taylor's parents had shunned professional help to cope with their son's needs. But given their age they now need support.
Langstaff said that had the case gone to trial there would have been questions on the issue of liability, given evidence that Taylor was overtaking and driving at speed prior to the accident.
Taylor was claiming damages from Taylor Brothers and the driver of another truck, which was stationary on other side of the hill and was being passed by the Taylor Brothers truck at the time of the collision. Insurers for both companies denied liability hut agreed to settle Taylor's case.
Mr Justice Wakeling said the "risks on liability were considerable" before approving a settlement figure of £3,024,141.