The Independent newspaper has reported that a schoolboy was awarded a multi-million pound payout for injuries sustained in a serious road traffic accident.

Jamie Webb, aged seven, was knocked down when running to cross the road outside his home in West London, in order to show the results of his fishing trip to friends. The driver of the vehicle that hit him was travelling at 30 miles per hour; the legal limit in that area. This would, on the face of it, appear a difficult compensation claim to win. However, personal injury lawyers representing the young boy argued that the accident was due to negligence by the driver, Richard Darbon, who had not taken into account the conditions; the narrow road, parked cars etc.

The compensation claim was based on the fact that Mr. Darbon knew the local area well and should have anticipated the potential dangers of driving up to the speed limit in this case. He was reportedly already known to residents as a reckless driver. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has stated that it is not always acceptable to be just on the speed limit.

Jamie was awarded a £3.5 million settlement and this has helped the boy, now an adolescent, to continue at school and, although his left arm and leg are no longer useable, he is riding a specially adapted tricycle and is reported to be happy and hasa good sense of humour.