An elderly woman who survived a freak car accident which killed her friend is suing the dead woman's estate for more than £300,000.

Grace Buckett, 77, was getting out of her neighbour Doreen Belcher's automatic car on a shopping trip when the 74-year-old accidentally put it into reverse with the engine running.

The car shot backwards, injuring both women.

They were airlifted from the Swan Walk multi-storey car park in Horsham, where the accident happened, to North East Surrey Hospital in Redhill.

Mrs Belcher died a month later in hospital.

An inquest at Haywards Heath Coroner's Court recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Miss Buckett was left paralysed on her left side and with a fractured skull causing severe memory loss.

She spent seven months in hospital after the crash.

Since then she has lived either in hospital or in Red Oaks Care Home in Henfield.

She depends on others for all normal day to day activities, and her condition will never improve.

She is also at an increased risk of developing epilepsy as a result of the accident, it is claimed.

Both women lived at Church Street, Henfield, before the accident.

Now Miss Buckett is suing the estate of Mrs Belcher in the High Court over the accident on May 16, 2005.

Her solicitor, Warren Moore, of personal injury and medical negligence claim specialists Crosby and Moore in Manchester Street, Brighton, said the claim is not intended to cause distress to Mrs Belcher's family.

He said: "It is a tragic story.

"We are acting for the Buckett family and we are issuing the claim against the estate.

"We are claiming damages for the injuries she suffered and the fact she is now in a care home."

He said Mrs Belcher's insurance should cover the cost of the claim, to pay for Miss Buckett's medical needs and care home fees.

Miss Buckett's family declined to comment on the claim.

The writ outlining the claim argues that Mrs Belcher was negligent because she left the engine running, put the car in reverse and put her foot on the accelerator.

It says she either knew, or should have known, that Miss Buckett was either getting out of the car, or in its immediate vicinity.

Mr Moore said the claimant does not have to prove Mrs Belcher intended to cause the accident in order for her to be held responsible in the civil courts.

The case is not expected to come to court until next year.