Biker with broken neck recovers after Digby Brown support – and gets back on his bike!

Harry Saunders was travelling south on the A82 near the Bridge of Orchy when he was caught in a multi-vehicle crash.

The 69-year-old was riding his Honda Fireblade 1000RR at a safe distance behind a car when another biker (travelling in the opposite direction) tried to overtake a tractor by flanking it on a gravel verge.

The other rider lost control and when rejoining the tarmac he shot in front of the small car.

The car driver was forced to slam on the brakes – this in turn forced Harry to brake suddenly.

But in doing so the biker from Lanarkshire was thrown over the handlebars and smashed into the car’s rear window.

Harry said: “When the crash happened I remember braking and the bike lifting but at that point I realised there was nowhere for me to go.

“The next memory I have of that day is lying in the road with the police looking after me.”

Harry was airlifted to hospital and spent eight weeks in a coma as he recovered from multiple serious injuries.

Harry suffered fractures to his C6, C7, T3, T1, T2, T4, T6, T7, T10, L3, L4 and L5 vertebrae (shockingly, these 12 vertebrae account for half the 24 vertebrae in any adult spine).

He also suffered a collapsed lung and a brain injury.

He was kept in the high dependency unit and endured multiple life-saving procedures including skeletal surgery, blood transfusions, kidney dialysis, temporary tracheostomy, treatment for sepsis and even having his heart restarted twice.

Amy Gannon from our Serious Injury team investigated Harry’s crash and medical records, police reports, witness statements and other evidence that outlined the long-term impact of his injuries.

We also learned the solo biker who caused the crash was later tracked down by police after witnesses clocked his registration plate and reported him.

With all the right information Digby Brown could pursue a motorcycle compensation claim for Harry.

The insurance company made an initial offer of £70,000 but this was refused as Amy knew such an offer was not fair.

The insurers then made a second offer of £90,000 but again, Harry was advised to refuse this.

Finally, a third offer of £140,000 was received and Harry agreed to accept it, all without the need to go to court.

Harry said: “It was explained to me what happened and what would happen.

“I was never thinking of the future in relation to the effects that accident was going to have on me - but Digby Brown did.

“I was looked after from the word go.

“My advice to anybody is see the right people, get the right people round about you and it'll make your journey an awful lot easier.”