A young mother remains in a specialist brain injury ward five months after a devastating car crash in Nottinghamshire, still unable to return to her young son.
Libby Jacobs, 24, from Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, suffered a traumatic brain injury and other life-changing injuries when she was a passenger in a two-car collision on December 27, 2025. She also sustained a torn aorta, perforated bowel and liver, and a ruptured spleen, spending several weeks in intensive care at Queen's Medical Centre.
At the end of February, Libby was transferred to a specialist brain injury unit, where she has remained for nearly five months. Her parents, Yvonne and Simon, aged 50 and 56, have instructed serious injury lawyers to help secure the specialist rehabilitation and therapies she needs before returning home to her five-year-old son, Hunter.
Family's Ordeal
Yvonne described the past months as almost impossible to put into words. She said: "We were just hoping she would pull through, and we're so thankful that she has. However, she struggled to speak and was unable to do anything for herself."
While Libby has made some progress, such as washing her face and brushing her teeth, she can only spend a few minutes out of bed before becoming fatigued. Before the crash, she was working as an apprentice at a Leicestershire pub to provide for Hunter.
"Before the collision, Libby was working hard to provide a future for Hunter," Yvonne explained. "Her world revolved around him, so for them to be apart for so long has been incredibly difficult."
When Libby started improving, the family allowed Hunter to visit her in hospital. "You could see straight away the difference it made," Yvonne said. "It was like a switch had been turned on and Libby started responding more."
Ongoing Challenges
Despite family support, Libby spends many hours alone and struggles with being away from her child. "As a family, we're really close and are all rallying round to try and help Libby and keep Hunter's routine as normal as we can," Yvonne added. "However, it's difficult given Libby is a long way from the person she was before."
Nottinghamshire Police are investigating the collision. At the time, a man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drink or drugs.
Georgie Wilson, the serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Libby's family, said: "The last few months have been incredibly emotional for Libby and her family. While medics have stabilised her condition, she still faces an uncertain future and many challenges. Yvonne and Simon's focus is now on ensuring an appropriate care package can be put in place allowing Libby to return home."
Libby's family chose to speak out during Action for Brain Injury Week, organised by the charity Headway, which highlights the challenges faced by survivors and their families. This year's theme focuses on the isolation people can face after a brain injury.
Following the collision, well-wishers set up a GoFundMe page to support the family, including travel and parking costs. The page has raised more than £3,000.
