A former train driver who has been left in need of life-long care after he hit by a taxi driver has received compensation with support from ASLEF and Thompsons Solicitors. 

Gareth Jones was crossing the A489 near Machynlleth, mid-Wales, at night when he was hit by a taxi and knocked several feet down the road. The 41-year-old suffered a serious brain injury in the collision and was rushed to hospital where he was also treated for other injuries sustained in the accident. 

The injury to Gareth’s brain has left him with reduced mobility and in need of support for everyday tasks such as cooking and getting dressed. Gareth has not been able to return to work since the collision.

Gareth and his partner, Tracey, initially went to a high street solicitor with the claim, but later turned to ASLEF and instructed Thompsons Solicitors. Despite the defendant denying liability, Thompsons and ASLEF maintained that the driver was at fault, due to the speed they were driving given the road conditions and poor visibility. A six-figure settlement was secured for Gareth. 

“This collision has turned our entire world upside-down,” said Tracey. “Gareth went out that night with his brother, but came home a completely different person. For the driver to deny that he was at fault is an insult to our family – if he had paid more attention to the road, he would have seen Gareth. 

“I’m not sure if Gareth will ever be able to return to work, but the settlement that Thompsons and ASLEF secured for us means that we can move to a house better suited to his needs, which I hope will give him more independence in the future. We needed experts on this case and without the support of Thompsons and ASLEF, I can’t imagine how we would be coping now.

“We needed experts on this case and without the support of Thompsons and ASLEF, I can’t imagine how we would be coping now.”

Tracy Gareth's partner

“All I can hope is that this will make drivers aware of the consequences of their actions, and think about the consequences poor decisions can have on the lives of those they hurt.” 

Mick Whelan, general secretary of ASLEF, said: “As a member of ASLEF, Gareth had access to free legal help after his accident. He realised local solicitors were out of their depth and working with experts at Thompsons, we fought for a settlement package that assists Gareth’s rehabilitation so that he can focus rebuilding his life in the best way he can.” 

Paul Rosser, of Thompsons Solicitors, said: “According to the Department for Transport, more than 22,000 people were seriously injured on the roads in 2015 alone. This is a shocking statistic and, unfortunately, many of these accidents are avoidable if drivers paid better attention to the road. 

“Moving vehicles are deadly weapons - whether intended as such or not – and drivers should be aware of this whenever they take to the roads to prevent causing unimaginable harm to pedestrians, like Gareth.”