The family of a teenager who was killed in a car crash has received damages for his death from the car driver’s insurers.

Neil Webb was just 19 when the Citroen Saxo he was a passenger in collided with a BMW in Ardley, near Bicester, last year.

The keen inline skater died from his injuries at the scene of the crash on Bucknell Road, Ardley.

Ryan Naylor, who had become friends with Neil only a few months before the fatal crash after starting work together at First Line, a car parts manufacturer in Bicester, was driving to pick up friends on the Friday night in October at 9.30pm.

Naylor overtook a car, misjudged a corner lost control of the vehicle and hit an oncoming BMW head-on.

Naylor was jailed for dangerous driving for 32 months in June this year.

Advised by the police to pursue compensation

Following Neil’s death, his parents were advised by the police to pursue compensation.

Neil’s dad, Jeff, a fire fighter for Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service contacted his trade union, the FBU, for advice who instructed their lawyers Thompsons Solicitors to pursue a claim for compensation.

Since Neil did not have any dependents the family recovered only the costs of Neil’s funeral and some other expenses.

His dad said: “Neil was a popular boy who lived life to the full. He was our world. We never expected to lose him in such a way and claiming compensation was the last thing on our mind.

“It was the police who suggested that we should pursue a claim and I knew that my trade union offered a free legal service. From the moment the FBU and Thompsons were instructed we’ve been able to let them get on with the legalities whilst we’ve tried to come to terms with Neil’s death.

“The compensation will never make up for the gaping hole that is now in our lives, and claiming was never about achieving that, it was about trying to achieve some sense of justice for Neil. It will cover the costs of his funeral, something we never planned for – we never imagined we’d be burying our child.”

Fatal car accident can be a complicated procedure

Ricky Matthews from the FBU said: “Our condolences are with Mr Webb and his family. We are pleased we have been able to help them during these difficult times.”

Helen Williams from Thompsons Solicitors added: “Compensation will never replace this family’s loss but we hope that it will go some way towards helping them deal with his untimely death.

“Claiming compensation for a fatal car accident can be a complicated procedure but we work hard to deal with any claim as sensitively as possible so the family can concentrate on more important matters.”