From personal injury solicitor to personal injury claimant: Rachel Matthews shares her story

Rachel Matthews was heading home from the chemist when her car was hit by a drunk driver. Everything changed in that instant. Rachel sustained life-changing lower limb injuries in the head-on crash, and her five-year-old daughter was left with a broken arm.

As a personal injury solicitor for Minster Law, Rachel knew pursuing a claim against the driver could help her access additional practical and financial support to aid her recovery. In this blog, Rachel talks about how she rebuilt her life and secured compensation with help from experienced colleagues at Minster Law.

How did the accident impact you?

I suffered several broken bones in the crash, which resulted in multiple surgeries. It wasn’t just about the physical trauma; it was also an incredibly difficult time emotionally. There were dark days and there were tears, but I had amazing support from my friends and family.

Why did you start a personal injury claim?

As a personal injury solicitor, I knew the effort and expense that would be involved in recovering from the accident. The earlier you start a claim, the quicker you can access the support you need. Right after my accident, I instructed my colleagues at Minster Law to start a claim against the other driver’s insurer for the injuries and losses that I had sustained. I’ve worked at Minster Law for around 14 years, so I knew I was in safe hands.

Tell us about the claims process

I was assigned a solicitor and a case manager instructed by Minster Law, who immediately arranged a needs assessment. This involves a home visit, where the case manager will have a thorough discussion around your immediate needs, including but not limited to rehab, aids and equipment, home adaptations and transport needs. The case manager also provided invaluable support throughout the process – scheduling appointments, sourcing mobility aids and listening when I needed to talk. My solicitor agreed an early interim payment with the driver’s insurers as it wasn’t clear if and when I would be able to return to work. I knew the claims process would take time and that I still required more surgeries.

How are personal injury losses assessed and agreed?

Gaining expert medical opinion to support your claim is key. I had my first independent medical examination around six months after my accident – it was the first of many! Over the next two years, I was assessed by a neurologist, a psychiatrist, an orthopaedic consultant, a plastic surgeon and an ear, nose and throat specialist. Minster Law presented the evidence from these medical experts at a joint settlement meeting with the insurers. A joint settlement meeting gives both sides in a personal injury case an opportunity to negotiate a settlement before going to trial. My meeting took several hours – but we did settle thanks to the tenacity of my colleagues at Minster Law.

Tell us about your recovery journey

It was bumpy! At the start, even the smallest movement was a struggle. The physio sessions were hard, but I knew I had to keep going. After several months, I was able to walk with two crutches, then one and eventually unaided. The experience has made me more aware of the daily struggles faced by people with disabilities and inspired me to volunteer as a peer support worker for Day One Trauma, a charity that helps people rebuild their lives after catastrophic injury.

How is life now?

I’ve adjusted to my new normal, and, in some ways, it’s a better normal. I still enjoy my work, but I now work to live rather than live to work. My recovery journey has also made me better at my job as a personal injury solicitor. With assistance from my Minster Law colleagues, I am once again helping people make successful personal injury claims and providing support at every stage of process – from accident to settlement. I have also joined the EDI committee at Minster Law and I hope I can share my experience to help disabled person to have a more inclusive claims experience. Read my blog here