£3m payout over road accident

A trainee solicitor from Staffordshire whose career was ruined after a head-on car crash has been awarded more than £3m compensation.

Anne-Marie Goodreid, 30, was driving along the A5 near Telford, Shropshire, in 1998, when she swerved into an oncoming coach.

She lost control of her vehicle after seeing a car driven by Carl Ainsworth, of Cannock Road, Penkridge, Staffordshire, who was trying to overtake two vehicles, coming towards her.

Geraint Jones QC, representing Miss Goodreid, told the High Court London on Monday that his client suffered brain injuries and her future career as a solicitor had been ruined.

Miss Goodreid, of Sandy Lane, Bishopswood, Staffordshire, could no longer live independently but had progressed because of the devoted care of her parents, Mr Jones said.

The court heard that, although her post-accident recovery has been "more successful than doctors dared hope", she will never work again.

The judge approved a £3,366,631 settlement and paid tribute to Miss Goodreid's parents, John and Nora, for their care over the years.