ROAD TRAFFIC: Accident

3 cases · January 2026 to June 2026

Key Issues & Sub-Topics

Minor injured in accident — Intended civil claim — Representation in proceedings — Sessions Court — Litigation representative. 1 Passenger claim — Liability not in dispute — Appeal limited to quantum and costs — Scope of appellate review Quantum of damages — Appellate interference — Inordinately low award — Comparable awards — Functional impairment — Muscle wasting and reduced muscle power — Reassessment of damages Special damages — Strict proof — Loss of earnings — Failure to adduce cogent documentary evidence — Absence of material witness — Adverse inference under s.114(g) Evidence Act 1950 — Claim not established Loss of earning capacity — Distinction from loss of future earnings — Real diminution of earning ability — Sedentary employment limitation — Broad-brush assessment — Lump sum award Medical expenses — Paid via insurance — Collateral benefit principle — Recoverability from tortfeasor — Unchallenged evidence — Effect of failure to cross-examine Future medical expenses — Private hospital treatment — One-third rule — Availability of public healthcare — Reasonableness — Distinction between past and future expenses Evidence — Unchallenged testimony — Whether deemed admitted — Weight of documentary evidence — Identification documents vs admitted exhibits Costs — Sanderson order — Multiple defendants — Genuine forensic uncertainty — Reasonableness at commencement — Passenger without knowledge of accident dynamics Costs — Departure from general rule — Successful defendant’s costs — Whether to be borne by co-defendant — Discretion of court Appellate intervention — Misdirection — Failure to consider material evidence — When justified Interest — General damages — Special damages — Pre-judgment and post-judgment interest — Applicable rates 1 causing death by reckless or dangerous driving 1

Minor injured in accident — Intended civil claim — Representation in proceedings — Sessions Court — Litigation representative. 1 case

Passenger claim — Liability not in dispute — Appeal limited to quantum and costs — Scope of appellate review Quantum of damages — Appellate interference — Inordinately low award — Comparable awards — Functional impairment — Muscle wasting and reduced muscle power — Reassessment of damages Special damages — Strict proof — Loss of earnings — Failure to adduce cogent documentary evidence — Absence of material witness — Adverse inference under s.114(g) Evidence Act 1950 — Claim not established Loss of earning capacity — Distinction from loss of future earnings — Real diminution of earning ability — Sedentary employment limitation — Broad-brush assessment — Lump sum award Medical expenses — Paid via insurance — Collateral benefit principle — Recoverability from tortfeasor — Unchallenged evidence — Effect of failure to cross-examine Future medical expenses — Private hospital treatment — One-third rule — Availability of public healthcare — Reasonableness — Distinction between past and future expenses Evidence — Unchallenged testimony — Whether deemed admitted — Weight of documentary evidence — Identification documents vs admitted exhibits Costs — Sanderson order — Multiple defendants — Genuine forensic uncertainty — Reasonableness at commencement — Passenger without knowledge of accident dynamics Costs — Departure from general rule — Successful defendant’s costs — Whether to be borne by co-defendant — Discretion of court Appellate intervention — Misdirection — Failure to consider material evidence — When justified Interest — General damages — Special damages — Pre-judgment and post-judgment interest — Applicable rates 1 case

causing death by reckless or dangerous driving 1 case

Key Statutes

Road Traffic Ordinance
cited in 1 case
cited in 1 case

Court Distribution

Key People & Firms

Cases