A series of disastrous decisions left a loving father in disarray through no fault of his own.
Tim Stannage’s life changed forever the day a drunk driver crashed a car into his vehicle, an otherwise perfect day.
The accident left him with horrific back injuries that shattered his T1, at the top of his vertebrae, and his T2, at the bottom.
Stannage, owner and operator of his own outdoor blinds business, was returning to work in Melbourne’s south-east after carrying out an installation when his vehicle was suddenly struck in Frankston.
‘The weather was good, there were no strong winds, rain or abnormal conditions. “I stopped at the traffic lights on Evans Rd where it intersects with Frankston – Cranbourne Road heading towards Frankston,” he told Daily Mail Australia.
‘The lights changed and I was accelerating towards the entrance to Ranfurlie Golf Club when out of nowhere, from the left, a silver car came around the side and turned straight towards me.
‘Everything happened so fast that I didn’t have time to stop. I was rushed to Alfred Hospital and spent the next three days immobilized not knowing what the outcome would be.
Tim Stannage was seriously injured when an alcoholic driver crashed into his car
Stannage said the accident should never have happened.
“My son heard the driver’s partner say he knew his partner was an alcoholic,” she said.
‘If that was the case, why did you allow him into a car in the first place? Surely we, as partners, have a duty of care not to allow our loved ones to drive, regardless of how much they have had to drink.’
Stannage, who doesn’t drink, said by now everyone on the road should have a clear understanding of the dangers of driving under the influence.
“You probably already know, with the amount of television advertising on the subject, that drinking and driving are not a good combination and that the knock-on effect is not just for you and your family, but for families like mine who were innocently dealing of our affairs and do not have long-term, life-changing implications,” he said.
Mr Stannage’s health and ability to earn a living have been seriously affected by the accident.
“I run my own business and there is a significant effect not only on me but also on the business,” he said.
“I’m the person who generates leads, makes quotes, visits clients and helps with heavy installations for multiple people, like awnings and exterior blinds, which are quite heavy.”
Tim Stannage broke his back when a drunk driver crashed into his work truck
The accident destroyed his work truck and left him with life-changing injuries.
Stannage now has to replace his work truck, which was totaled in the accident.
“While the insurance will cover the current value, it will not finance the significant shortfall required to purchase a similar vehicle plus payment for signage and equipment for the van,” he said.
‘Workcover will go live at some point, but my company has to fund my salary plus a replacement person to carry out my role, at a time when this is our busiest period and we need to generate sales and profits to help us get through the tranquility. periods.
“This accident will put pressure on the business well into 2025.”
Mr Stannage was an extremely active person before the accident, moving between 250 and 350 kilometers per week in preparation for the big tests planned for October and November.
“Everyone had been paid, but I will no longer be able to attend,” he said.
The incident has also caused devastating anxiety attacks, which he finds difficult to control.
“Not only am I worried about how my injuries will affect me in the long term, but also how I am going to keep the business going and manage the impact of the slowdown in sales and the subsequent impact of the decline in operating profits and how to implement risk the business,” he said.
Mr Stannage’s brother flew from France expecting to spend quality time with him over a six-week period.
‘The plan was to do things together. “He has had to become my carer for the first two weeks, it has ruined his holiday plans and he is looking to return home earlier than planned,” she said.
Tim Stannage had been training for a series of cycling events when his life turned upside down.
Tim Stannage’s back was broken in the accident, bringing his days of carrying children to a sad end.
As the days pass, Mr. Stannage reflects on a very uncertain future.
“I’m worried about the long-term implications of my injury as I get older, how things like arthritis and mental problems may affect me,” he said.
Arnold Thomas & Becker solicitor Stuart Coutts, who represents Mr Stannage in his WorkCover and Transport Accident Commission claims, said legal action will never fully compensate for what his client has lost.
“Tim’s injuries are significant and at this point we know they will also change his life in the future. “This is due to the actions of someone who decided to get behind the wheel while seriously intoxicated,” he said.
‘Tim is lucky to be alive, but now he has to live with the consequences of this person’s actions forever.
‘Along with the physical injuries, Tim suffers mental trauma from the accident, which will likely affect him for years to come…taking legal action and compensation cannot undo the pain and suffering Tim now faces. However, we hope that Tim can find closure in his quest for justice while sending a strong message that driving under the influence is wrong and should not be tolerated.”