A BLACKWOOD woman who suffered serious injuries in a suspected hit-and-run incident is hoping to raise awareness of road safety after lawyers helped her win a five-year battle for justice.

In May 2008, Christine Luther suffered a fractured leg and cuts to her head when she was knocked unconscious to the ground as she walked across the Asda car park in Blackwood, where she worked as a checkout operator.

She was unable to return to work after the incident. The car has never been found and there were no criminal proceedings.

Ms Luther instructed specialist personal injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell, who have secured her an undisclosed settlement in the civil court to cover her loss of earnings and the pain and suffering she has endured.

The mum of one was left writhing in pain in the car park just after she had finished her shift at 11.10pm.

She was rushed to the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, where she underwent emergency surgery to fit a metal brace to her leg to help the bones fuse back together.

Doctors also glued two deep cuts on her head and she was kept in hospital for eight days so she could be closely monitored after she also suffered concussion.

Ms Luther became reliant on a wheelchair for at least two months after the incident and still suffers pain nearly five years on. She also suffered flashbacks of the incident, which resulted in her being treated for depression.

Ms Luther said: “The past few years have been incredibly difficult and the pain I’ve felt has often been unbearable. It’s all the more frustrating that my injuries could have been prevented if the driver had taken more care.

“I’m still horrified that he drove off without helping me and I still get flashbacks about lying in pain in the middle of the car park so late at night on my own.

“I hope my case shows that crashes can happen anywhere, not just on motorways or busy roads, and injuries like the ones I’ve suffered can have a massive impact on people’s lives.”

“Sadly, I’ve now got a permanent reminder of what’s happened to me as I’ve got two scars on my head where doctors glued the cuts I suffered as well as marks on my leg where the brace was fitted. I’m relieved the case has finally been settled to that I can start to move on with my life.”

Stephanie Whatmore, a specialist injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Ms Luther, said: “Christine’s case shows that drivers need to be aware of what’s going on around them and diligent enough to spot other motorists so that accidents can be avoided.

“The fact the driver of the car sped off without stopping to help Christine when she was so vulnerable is simply appalling. She has been in a lot of pain since the accident but the settlement will allow her to continue to access the vital rehabilitation she needs so she can finally put this terrible ordeal behind her and get her life back on track.”