Seriously injured motorcyclist calls for greater road safety awareness

Brake Road Safety Week starts 17th November 2014

A 53-year-old man, who is rebuilding his life following a serious road traffic accident, is hoping that his experience will help to raise awareness about the importance of road safety and highlight the vulnerability of two-wheel road users, by reminding other road users to be bike aware.

Motorcyclist Patrick Kearns, of Leicester, spent five months in hospital following the incident on 15 June 2013 in which it was alleged that the driver of a Ford Transit suddenly performed a U-turn, leading to a collision between Mr Kearns’ motorcycle and the side of the van on Beaumont Leys Road, Leicester.

To the relief of Mr Kearns, the van driver has recently been prosecuted and found guilty*. However, the experience has highlighted the dangers that riders face every day on UK roads, due to lack of awareness from other road users.

Almost 18 months after the accident, with the help of a close support network, Patrick is still adapting to life with brain and orthopaedic injuries. Commenting on the life-changing incident, he said: “I am grateful for the support I have received from my employer, friends, family, the team at Minster Law and the police officers involved in the investigation.”

He has chosen to make people aware of the impact on his life during Brake Road Safety Week in the hope that it may prevent another rider enduring a similar experience.

David Sears, from Minster Law representing Mr Kearns, said: “This is an incredibly sad case where Pat has sustained life-changing brain and orthopaedic injuries due to the careless actions of another road user. We hope that this case will be a stark reminder to other motorists that they should always be aware that they have other people’s lives in their hands when they are out on the roads. With winter conditions and dark nights drawing in, we hope that greater road safety awareness is at the forefront of all road users’ minds. We will now continue to help Pat get the support that he needs to continue rebuilding his life.”

For further information contact the Minster Law press office on 01652 680060 or email [email protected]

* Anthony Morris, the driver of the van which hit Mr Kearns, appeared at Hinckley Magistrate’s Court on 9th September 2014 where he was found guilty of driving without due care and attention and taking without consent. The driver was sentenced on 10th October 2014 to Community Service, was disqualified for 12 months and order to pay costs and a victim surcharge.