Spotlight: Alderstone Solicitors

How does your organisation support road victims?

Every road victim will work with our specialist team, led by Quentin Underhill, who has more than 30 years of legal expertise and is a member of the Law Society Personal Injury Accreditation Scheme. We are an accredited practice with the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and a founder member of APIL’s corporate supporter scheme.

Our support always starts with an assessment of the immediate needs of road collision victims and their families. Even before we are instructed – and if appropriate – we will visit them at home, in hospital or a place they feel comfortable. It gives us the best insight into what they face and what they need.

If a road victim has sustained brain, spinal, limb loss or other serious injuries, our skilled legal team works collaboratively with insurance companies to secure interim payments. These are early, partial payments to ease any financial strain and to fund rehabilitation, adaptions to home and vehicles, care and treatments. The sooner an injured person starts rehabilitation, the better their long-term prospects.

If a road victim has tragically been killed in a collision, we work closely to support the family through the often-emotional coroner’s inquest into what happened and potential criminal proceedings against another driver. We will also apply for interim payments in cases of fatal road collisions if the individual’s family faces financial hardship trying to cover funeral expenses, loss of household income, or urgent bills.

We ultimately work to secure the maximum damages possible and put in place wrap-around care. We work with the victim and family to ensure they have an expert multidiscipline healthcare team to help them go on to live the best life possible.

How do you support individuals or families who have been affected by a military road collision? How are your approach and processes different from a ‘standard’ (civilian) case?

Our dedicated military road collision team represents service personnel and reservists, whether on or off duty, involved in road traffic collisions abroad and in the UK. We guide service personnel and families through the complicated military procedures when dealing with the Ministry of Defence.

On their behalf we secure military documents needed for a case, including Land Accident Investigation Team (LAIT) reports, service inquiries, learning accounts, joint service publications and standing orders. Alongside a personal injury claim, our experts will complete eligibility for compensation through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. We will represent the family at military inquest or coroner’s inquest and support them through any military or civilian court proceedings.

Above and beyond our legal expertise and any compensation claim, we understand that military service is a calling and we are sensitive to the loyalty of service personnel and their military careers. We also know that families are looking for answers and we are always determined to secure transparent and accurate accounts of what has happened to their loved ones.

How do you support Brake?

We are proud to support Brake’s tremendous work and activities. For the past five years we have sponsored Brake’s annual reception at the Houses of Parliament, we have sponsored and attended the After the Crash conference since its launch and this year we are a sponsor of the Rowan Tree Ball.

Our staff attend the Brake-partnered trauma informed workshops, and we are now a Trauma Informed Legal Practice.

Members of our team have recently fundraised through bake sales during our Brake British Bake Off, running and walking for the Brake 5K Challenge, and last year completed a Tough Mudder! We also support Road Safety Week by raising awareness and highlighting Brake’s vital messaging that directly saves lives.

What do you consider to be the best outcome for an individual or family that you support?

The consequences of every road traffic collision are different, every victim is singular and every family is unique. Each client we help has different priorities, expectations and aims, which we do our very best to meet and exceed if we can. The best outcome for a road traffic victim and family is that we carefully and collaboratively guide them through every step of the legal process, secure for them the maximum settlement, and put everything in place so they can go on to live a fulfilling life.

We were contacted by Christine following the tragic death of her sister, Mena, on 16 October 2023. Mena was using a pedestrian crossing when a bus pulled away from a city bus station and hit her. She died in hospital from her injuries on the same day.

Devastated by the loss of her sister, Christine reached out to Brake for help and support. We worked with the Brake caseworker and Christine to take her through the civil compensation process and support her during the intimidating criminal proceedings against the bus driver. We attended three criminal hearings with Christine, including the initial magistrate’s hearing, plea hearing and the final sentencing hearing along with the Brake caseworker. The driver of the bus pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and was given a two-year suspended prison sentence.

It was important that the compensation claim reflected Mena’s family’s dependence on her and the irreplaceable gap her death had left in the family. By working with Christine and Counsel we were able to honour Mena’s service to her family within the final settlement figure.

Christine said: “I appreciated and valued the support that you have given me. Despite the circumstances, it has been good working with you and getting to know you. You have been fabulous – professional, caring and kind.

“Emily and Quentin were responsive to my queries, prompt in getting back in touch, patient and took time to explain things in simple terms for me when I didn't understand some of the legal terms and wording. They never made me feel uncomfortable about contacting them about anything. I appreciated Emily's help throughout, including her support at the hearings.”

You can find out more about Christine, her wonderful sister Mena, and the importance of Brake to the devastated families of road collision victims, in a short film here.

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