Mr Timms, whose wife is disabled, bought a new Nissan Qashqai from Bristol Street Motors through the mobility scheme. At the time of ordering, Mr Timms asked the garage to fit a specific tow bar to accommodate their caravan. The garage fitted the wrong tow bar and Mr Timms noticed a scratch on the number plate when he went to pick the car up so he left it at the garage.

Issues with car door

Mr Timms collected his new car a few days later, only to find that whilst the number place had been changed, the tow bar hadn’t.  Over the next few days Mr Timms encountered several other problems with his car, including a rattle on the driver’s door.  He complained and arranged to take the car into the garage.  In the meantime, Mr Timms had an issue with the car alarm, which went off overnight and he took the car in the next day.  When he got it back, the garage said it had fixed the rattle, but Mr Timms could still hear it and so he took it back again.

Hand injured as car door flies open

The garage said it had fixed the rattle and when Mr Timms picked up his car he could see that the garage had interfered with the driver’s side door.  Unfortunately it started rattling again a few days later and whilst he was driving along, the car door swung open, without any warning.  He grabbed the door quickly, and in doing so, hurt his hand.

Mr Timms was in a lot of pain and went to Bassetlaw Hospital where his hand was put in plaster as a fracture was suspected. A cast was fitted a few days later.  Subsequent examinations by a specialist showed a bad sprain, the symptoms of which would be likely to last around 18 months.

During the next couple of months, Mr Timms had difficulty caring for his disabled wife and their daughter had to visit more often and give more help than usual, including taking them to the hospital.

Bristol Street Motors deny liability

Jonathan West

In the end, Mr Timms gave the car back to Bristol Street Motors and did not get another one from there. He contacted Graysons to see if he could get any redress for the injury, which he believed he suffered as a result of Bristol Street Motors’ negligence, and Jonathan took up his case.  The garage denied liability for the claim and Jonathan issued court proceedings.  However, the garage decided to settle the case during the week the trial was due to take place and Jonathan was able to negotiate a settlement of £3,500.

If you have been injured as a result of faulty goods, or someone’s negligence, please contact our personal injury specialists who will discuss your case with you.

You can also find out more about making a personal injury claim on our web site.