Jacob’s young life altered: Securing $1.5m+ after catastrophic motorcycle accident

Jacob describes the incident.

“I was riding my motorbike home from work and turned onto a side road when a car pulled out from a driveway in front of me, causing me to collide with it. The weather was clear.”

What Jacob describes in simple words masks a violent collision. A driver exiting from a driveway suddenly pulled out without giving way, cutting directly across Jacob’s path and causing a catastrophic impact.

Jacob was thrown approximately 20 metres over the vehicle, landing on the other side of the road. The force was so severe that the other vehicle rolled across the road and hit the pavement.

The realisation of what had happened came in terrifying stages.

“I initially thought I was paralysed, so I knew my injuries were severe, but I didn’t fully understand until three days later when I was in ICU.”

Bystanders called emergency services, and two ambulance crews attended.

What followed were seven and a half weeks in hospital and a long road to a recovery that continues today. The extent of Jacob’s injuries was devastating: serious pelvic fractures, spinal injuries, multiple fractures to both hands and wrists, knee injuries requiring reconstruction, nerve damage, internal injuries, and significant psychological trauma.

Jacob’s description of his hospital stay captures the emotional and physical toll.

“I was in hospital for 7.5 weeks flat on my back due to serious pelvic fractures and found this absolutely hopeless and very depressing, not to mention the pain and numerous surgeries I had. My recovery is ongoing. I still have multiple medical appointments and physio sessions.”

For a 19-year-old who had been active, independent, and building his career, the experience was devastating on every level.

Partner Vrege Kolokossian, who led Jacob’s case, emphasises the catastrophic nature of these injuries for such a young person.

“When we see cases like Jacob’s, where a young person sustains life-altering injuries through absolutely no fault of their own, the impact extends far beyond the immediate physical trauma. We’re looking at decades of ongoing medical treatment, permanent disabilities, lost career opportunities, and profound psychological effects. The compensation must reflect not just what’s been lost, but what will never be.”

Jacob’s words convey the totality of the impact.

“I haven’t worked since the accident, which has affected my mental health and physically disabled me. My day-to-day life has been greatly affected as I am unable to do much physically, and my temperament has changed.”

The permanent consequences are severe.

“[I have] constant pain, my leg is now shorter, and I need to wear a foot brace and modified footwear. My bladder still has not recovered, and I suffer with poor urinary function I will need further surgery for this. My sexual function has also been damaged.”

These are not injuries that will heal with time. They represent permanent alterations to Jacob’s body and his future. At an age when most young people are building careers, relationships, and independence, Jacob faces a lifetime of medical interventions, physical limitations, and ongoing pain.

Even with the compensation secured, Jacob expresses ongoing concern.

“I have recently had compensation from the accident, but I’m worried this will not be enough to live on in the years to come.”

While Jacob was still hospitalised, his parents stepped in to begin the legal process.

“My parents started this on advice from friends, I was unable due to being hospitalised,” Jacob explains.

The choice of GMP Law came through a personal connection.

“My father had done some work for GMP Law and had met Gerard and liked him.”

With Jacob consumed by his injuries and recovery, his parents handled the initial stages.

The insurer quickly admitted full liability. CCTV footage clearly showed the other driver’s negligence. However, admitting fault and providing fair compensation are two very different things.

The real battle became about the value of Jacob’s claim, with the insurer significantly undervaluing what this catastrophic injury meant for a 19-year-old’s entire future.

Under the NSW scheme, in cases involving such serious injuries, the insurer is required to cover all reasonable and necessary medical, treatment and care expenses for the first five years. After that period, responsibility for ongoing treatment and care transfers to CTP icare.

Vrege explains the challenge.

“When insurers admit liability, many people assume the case is straightforward. But that’s where the real fight often begins. In Jacob’s case, the insurer was significantly undervaluing the claim, not properly accounting for the lifetime impact of these injuries on such a young person. They were focused on current medical costs and immediate losses, but we needed to ensure Jacob received compensation that reflected his entire future. Decades of lost earning capacity, ongoing medical needs, and the profound impact on his quality of life.”

The case proceeded to a PIC damages assessment hearing. The process would take over two years.

For Jacob, one aspect of the process stood out.

“The length of [a claim] was two years plus,” he says of what surprised him most about the legal process.

But the length wasn’t the only challenge.

“I think the time it took to resolve was frustrating as my case was postponed, and the constant medical appointments in the city were exhausting and confronting at times. I think also the out of court settlement process was hard as I felt scared to decline the offers made to me, but felt either way they were not enough to compensate for the life-changing injuries I sustained. It’s a gamble and hard to know what to do,” Jacob reflects on the most challenging aspects of his journey.

The GMP Law team provided crucial support during this difficult period.

“I think having close contact with the team was very helpful Lara Hassan was fantastic to alleviate any concerns, and if she couldn’t answer our questions, Vrege Kolokossian could,” Jacob explains.

Vrege and his team understood that accepting an inadequate settlement would have lifelong consequences for Jacob.

“We knew the insurer’s offers were nowhere near adequate compensation for what Jacob had lost and would continue to lose over his lifetime,” Vrege explains. “This wasn’t just about his current medical bills or the income he’d lost in the past two years. This was about a young man who would never work in his chosen profession again, who faces decades of medical interventions, who will live with pain and disability for the rest of his life, and whose personal relationships and quality of life have been permanently affected.”

The decision to proceed to the PIC damages assessment hearing, rather than accept inadequate settlement offers, proved crucial.

“Sometimes the most important service we can provide to our clients is the courage to say no to offers that don’t reflect the true value of their claim, and the expertise to prove that value through the formal assessment process.”

This case demonstrates GMP Law’s commitment to fighting for proper compensation for catastrophic injury victims, particularly young people whose entire futures have been altered by someone else’s negligence.

If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident or car crash, reach out to GMP Law. Our team of lawyers will help you maximise your claim in the minimal time possible.