Road traffic accidents are the second leading cause of traumatic brain injury in Scotland. Much more needs to be done to raise awareness of this fact and, as a consequence, prevent such incidents from occurring in the first place.
As such, it can only help that former professional footballer Chris Tucker has stepped forward to share his experience of suffering brain injury in a 2012 car accident which occurred on the A96 in Moray.
The road traffic accident left the player in a coma and although he cannot remember the details of the incident he has joined the Safe Drive Stay Alive campaign to help educate school pupils across the north east of Scotland on the importance of road safety.
What is clear from Tucker's account of the incident is that it was avoidable: two fellow professional footballers later admitted that their dangerous driving caused the crash and as a consequence were handed custodial sentences.
Tucker pulled no punches when sharing his experience with pupils. "The brain injury will always be with me," he said.
And it seems that his no-nonsense approach struck a chord with the students. He said the fact that so many pupils cried on hearing his story showed that "the message is hitting home".
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is also involved in the campaign. "His life has been shattered due to the stupidity of someone else. They think that they are invincible, 'it won't happen to me'. I'm sorry, but it will," said a spokesperson with the Service.
Safe Drive Stay Alive is a partnership between Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeen City Council, Moray Council, Police Scotland, the Scottish Ambulance Service, NHS Grampian and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
If you would like information regarding your possible right to compensation following an accident caused by another party's negligence, contact the brain injury solicitors at Thompsons Scotland today. Click here for more information.
