An Ipswich man has spoken out about the help he received from Thompsons Solicitors after an irate driver knocked him down after trying to drive his car into the path of marathon runners.

Roads in Ipswich town centre had been closed off for the length of the marathon course. 51 year old David Wood was volunteering as a steward for the run and was stationed towards the end of the route when he was injured.

David noticed a driver apparently frustrated at a road block and went to speak to him in attempt to calm the driver down.

However, before David could speak to him, the driver attempted to mount the kerb with his car and drive into the cones marking out the running route.

In an attempt to protect oncoming runners, David slammed his hands down on to the bonnet of the car – assuming that the driver would stop - but the driver continued to accelerate and knocked David to the ground.

David, who is also the primary carer for his wife, damaged his right knee and suffered an injury to his ligament which has prevented him from running, something he himself enjoyed.

Following the incident, David contacted Thompsons Solicitors who are investigating a claim on his behalf.

David said: “Had it not been for several witnesses and police officers nearby, the driver could have seriously hurt me and many others. Thankfully, he was stopped before he was able to cause more damage.”

“I don’t know what I would have done without the legal team at Thompsons – they’ve supported me throughout my case and explained every step. There’s no way I’d have the time or experience to take on the car insurer of the dangerous driver as I am a carer for my wife, and I do shift work at Felixstowe Port.

“I’m worried by the government’s move to try to remove legal protections from injured people because I’ve seen first-hand that what they think are ‘small claims’ are no small matter. Without a lawyer it would be the little guy up against the big guy and the insurers would look after their shareholders not the injured”

Gerrard Stilliard, head of personal injury strategy at Thompsons Solicitors said: “This is yet another example of how vital legal representation is. Our client was protecting others when he was hit by a dangerous driver – he deserves the full weight of legal expertise behind his case to make sure that he gets what he deserves not what the insurers can get away with giving him.

“Does the government really endorse the removal of free legal representation for heroes like David? That day he potentially saved lives and yet if their proposals went through, David would have to pay for lawyers out of the money a judge would award him for his injuries and what he went through which is completely unjust.”

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