Victory for model girl Danielle
Miss Great Britain beauty Danielle Lloyd has won £7,125 in damages after a horror smash which could have shattered her modeling career.
Stunning Danielle, 22, was on her way to a photo shoot when she was involved in a head-on crash on Liverpool’s Dock Road in October 2004.
Danielle, who also holds the current Miss Warrington crown, was trapped in her black Volkswagen Golf until passers-by came to her aid and released her from the car.
The vehicle was so badly damage it was written off but amazingly Danielle escaped with whiplash and severe bruising to her wrists, chest, neck, shoulders and back.
The model was just weeks away from competing in the Miss World contest in China when the accident occurred.
The brave brunette refused to pull out of the Miss World line-up but her smile hid the painful injuries which scuppered her chances of glory on the day.
Danielle, who now lives in London near her footballer boyfriend Teddy Sherringham, said she felt lucky to be alive.
“I was waiting to turn right when the other car came round a bend in the middle of the road and hit me full on,” she said.
“I knew he wasn’t going to stop and I just gripped the steering wheel and prayed. People in a nearby café were great and came to help me. At hospital they told me I had been extremely lucky not to have any broken bones, let alone any lasting facial injuries.
“Obviously my looks are my livelihood and my injuries meant I could not work for weeks after the crash. I put weight on as I was unable to go to the gym and it was two months before I felt able to get behind the wheel again as I was so nervous on the roads.
“I still suffer from pains in my lower back but I think myself lucky as things could have been much worse.”
Lawyer Lee Leyland, of Scott Rees & Co Solicitors in Skelmersdale, who represented Danielle, said: “This accident left Danielle extremely shaken and nervous on the roads and no amount of money can make up for that.
“She had to turn down work while she was recuperating but thankfully she is a strong personality and has made a great recovery.
“We were able to settle the case before it went to trial which obviously benefited everyone concerned.”
Lads mag favourite Danielle is currently a finalist in Miss Maxim 2006 and recently appeared in FHM’s Bikini Special.
She is a keen supporter of the charity Women’s Aid which helps women and children affected by domestic violence.