Crash couple's joy

A couple who survived a near fatal motorcycle accident six years ago have been awarded six figure compensation packages and becoming parents – all on the same day.

Stuart and Nina Smart from Claregate, Wolverhampton, were seriously injured when their motorbike and sidecar collided with a car on the A41, on July 23, 2000.

Nina, now 32, broke her pelvis in four places, had a broken collarbone, and needed reconstructive surgery on a damaged knee – leaving her with a permanent limp.

Meanwhile her husband, now 33, broke both shoulder blades, an ankle, ribs and his right wrist, amongst other injuries.

“We were driving along the A41 near Four Ashes; I was in the sidecar, when a car pulled out on us. We braked immediately but it was too late and we flew straight over the bonnet of the car,” explained Nina.

“The driver of the car has since admitted liability for the accident and was charged with dangerous driving.”

Stuart said: “Both of us have been left permanent limitations due to the injuries so we decided to try and get some compensation.”

The couple, who have been together for 14 years, began the lengthy process of claiming personal injury compensation in 2000.

After six years of waiting, the couple were finally summoned to a final settlement meeting in Liverpool on September 15.

Despite being days away from giving birth to their first child, Nina made the trip from Wolverhampton, eager to seal the deal.

However little did she know that she was in the early stages of labour throughout the three-hour meeting at barrister’s chambers.

Nina said: “I had pains in my stomach and my jeans were a bit tight but the baby wasn’t due for at least another four days and the doctors said it was unlikely she would be early, so I didn’t think anything of it.

“However the baby held on for three hours until the meeting was finished and I was taken to hospital where I gave birth to a baby girl, Georgia, in two hours and 46 minutes.”
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