Trapped by a Car Door While Stopped in a Layby
Our client pulled into a layby to see to a child in a car seat. About as careful and considerate a stop as anyone can make. Then a passing vehicle clipped the open car door, forcing it shut and trapping the client between the door and their car.
What happened
The injuries were serious and the recovery was long. This was not a momentary inconvenience but a situation that reshaped daily life for a considerable period — and one that nobody could have planned for or prevented from where the client was standing.
Cases like this cut against the assumption that a claim requires you to have been driving, or moving, or on a busy road. The client was stationary, off the carriageway, and doing exactly the right thing.
What we did
We stepped in on the practical side so the vehicle was not another problem to manage during a long recovery. NJS Law took the claim from there and worked it through to a conclusion.
The outcome
NJS Law secured £40,000 in compensation for the client.
Every claim is different. This outcome reflects the specific circumstances and injuries in this case and is not an indication of what any other claim may be worth. Serious injury claims are valued individually on the basis of medical evidence and the losses involved.
Can you claim if the accident happened while your car was stationary?
Yes. What matters is whether someone else's negligence caused your injury, not whether your vehicle was moving. A driver passing a stopped vehicle in a layby is expected to leave adequate room and to anticipate that doors may be open or people may be beside the car.
Do serious injury claims take longer?
Usually, yes — and for a good reason. A claim should not be settled until there is a clear medical picture of how someone is likely to recover in the long term, because settling early risks undervaluing the future care, treatment and loss of earnings involved. Interim payments can sometimes be arranged during that period to help with immediate costs. Your solicitor should explain the likely timescale for your particular case at the outset.
Something similar happened to you?
Even accidents that happen while you're stationary and doing everything right can lead to a claim. Call 0800 820 3860 and we'll tell you honestly where you stand.
Back on the Road UK is a trading name of NJS Law Limited, registered in England and Wales, company number 15170704. NJS Law Limited is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, SRA number 8006550. This page describes a real claim handled by our team and is provided for general information only. It does not constitute legal advice.