Woman, 30, hit by lorry just metres from home is “lucky to be alive”

Shona Moir

“I knew it was going to hit me - I just thought ‘I’m going to die’.”

Shona Moir was returning home from a gym session when she was struck by a lorry as she crossed the road.

The 30-year-old was run over by the HGV seconds after stepping onto the tarmac at a pedestrian crossing on Commercial Street in Leith, Edinburgh.

She was thrown one metre across the tarmac but, miraculously, only suffered minor injuries.

Shona said: “I remember hearing screaming but I didn’t realise it was coming from me.

“I asked the people who came to help if I still had my legs as I couldn’t feel them - I could see blood on the ground.”

Shona was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where medics confirmed a laceration to her left eyebrow and soft tissue damage to her right hip, both elbows and both knees.

Police investigated the collision and, ultimately, no action was taken against the lorry driver.

But the lack of criminal action was not the main problem for Shona – for her, the main problem was her injuries stopped her leading a normal life.

Her work as a senior recruitment consultant, her personal life and hobbies were all impacted not to mention the psychological trauma of recovering from a facial injury.

It was this struggle that encouraged Shona to seek legal help and on the recommendation of a work colleague she came to Digby Brown for a pedestrian accident claim.

Kieran McGrath, Solicitor in our Edinburgh office, investigated the case and gathered the necessary evidence.

After securing medical records he had Shona speak to an independent medical expert who wrote a report outlining her prognosis.

Recalling her recovery after the December 2022 incident, Shona said: “I couldn’t sleep. I was exhausted and having horrible dreams and panic attacks.

“I remember feeling insecure about my face - for a time the injuries to my hips and limbs meant it was a real struggle trying to do simple tasks like cooking, cleaning or having a shower and I was in so much pain I needed help with these things.”

Kieran also gathered the police evidence and took a statement from the investigating officer.

The officer, who pieced things together from witness accounts, described what he believed happened – that Shona stepped onto the road on an amber light and only looked left.

The insurer for the lorry driver argued this version of events ‘proved’ Shona was not entitled to damages.

But Kieran was able to point out the difference between fact and opinion and the biggest fact in this case was that Shona had right of way on the road and the lorry driver had a duty of care to look out for other road users, especially when approaching a pedestrian crossing.

In the end, Shona’s road accident compensation claim settled for a four-figure sum and without the need to go to court.

She said: “When the police blamed me I freaked out but Kieran reassured me - I was so thankful for his guidance and felt a huge sense of relief when he fought for me and secured a good result.

“I really felt like he and Digby Brown were on my side when no one else was.”

Kieran added: “I was really shocked by the circumstances of Shona’s crash as I’m local and know the area well. But being hit by a lorry? She really is lucky to be alive and it’s a miracle her injuries were not more serious.

“Every case has its challenges but ultimately the Highway Code confirms pedestrians are vulnerable road users and drivers have a duty of care to be mindful of other road users.

“Cases like Shona’s therefore highlight why people should seek expert advice even if they are unsure of all the facts and what to expect.

“If nothing else, getting the help of an independent solicitor means that someone else can focus on the legal issues so you can focus on your recovery and what matters to you.”