A retired teacher from Hastings has started a £150,000 compensation claim after being hit by a car when it’s driver mounted the pavement.
Shelagh Leach, 83, was knocked down by the car outside the BP garage in The Ridge, Hastings, suffering serious personal injuries.
The driver, Paul Barnard, continued driving without stopping, leaving the pensioner lying by the roadside in agony.
Her solicitors have now started legal proceedings at the High Court, with the driver’s insurance company, Churchill Insurance, facing an accident claim of almost £150,000 in compensation.
Mrs. Leach sustained several injuries in the accident, which occured on 1st January, including two broken legs, leaving her in need of emergency surgery. She subsequently spent two months in hospital.
Barnard was convicted at Hastings Magistrates’ Court in April of driving his Vauxhall Vectra without due care and attention.
The accident happened at 7:45am after Mrs. Leach and her husband had went to the petrol station to buy a newspaper. They were waiting to cross the road when Bernard drove along at speed, and tried to veer into the garage’s entrance.
However, he misjudged the turn and ended up mounting the pavement, striking Mrs. Leach. Bernard then reversed back into the street and drove off.
