James Donovan, 17, suffered severe injuries in 2021. Motorcyclist, speeding at 70 mph in 40 zone, was not charged.
The crash caused James a ton of injuries. He had brain bleeds and a torn spleen. His lungs collapsed, and bones broke. It was October 11, 2021, around 7 PM. An air ambulance flew him to the hospital, where he stayed in a coma for a while.
James spent about 11 months away from home. He was in the hospital for seven months. Police looked into it, but they didn’t charge the driver.
Now, James is out of the hospital, trying to live normally. He can’t work because he has ongoing health problems. Walking is hard, so wheelchairs help him go farther. His brain injury causes memory issues, as well as nightmares and behavior changes.
His grandma said James was active and independent before the accident. Now, his injuries changed everything. They are grateful he survived, and the focus is to help him recover as well as possible.
After the crash, his family hired lawyers from Irwin Mitchell. These lawyers helped investigate and get him support. Evidence showed the motorcycle was going 70 mph, even though the speed limit was only 40 mph.
James reached an agreement with the driver’s insurance. Irwin Mitchell got James money for rehab. It’s a six-figure payment, and a court approved the agreement and payments.
Laura Middleton-Guerard is James’ lawyer. She said it’s been hard on James and his family. Recovery is progressing, but challenges remain. These will likely impact him throughout his life.
James’ family and lawyers warn people about road safety, emphasizing that speeding is especially dangerous. His grandma hopes their story helps others. They want drivers to follow safety rules because the family doesn’t want anyone to suffer like James.
Middleton-Guerard said nothing fixes what happened. She is happy they secured funds for James’ rehab. She joins his family in urging safe driving, adding that this case proves road safety matters a lot.