Model Niki Taylor bravely shows off her crash scars as she she dazzles on the red carpet at the People's Choice Awards
Ten years ago Niki Taylor was left fighting for her life after she was very badly injured in a horrific car crash.
But last night, the only signs of any lasting trauma was the prominent scar on her back, which she almost proudly displayed on the red carpet last night.
The supermodel, 35, showed off the scar - which can been seen from the middle of her back downwards - as she posed for the cameras at the People's Choice Awards in Los Angeles.
Brave: Niki Taylor shows off the scar on her back from her near-fatal car accident in 2001, as she posed at the People's Choice Awards last night
Niki also showed off a tattoo of a leafless tree which sits between her shoulders, but it is unclear about the significance of the inking.
The former face of Covergirl make-up was one of the guests at the awards ceremony at the Nokia Theater which is completely fan-driven and marked the start of the Hollywood awards season
Niki looked stunning in her backless floor-length Donna Karan gown as she arrived at the event, proving that once a supermodel, always a supermodel for this Florida-born girl.
But things could have been so different for Niki after that near-fatal crash in May 2001.
Backless: Niki's scar is clear to see below her tattoo of a leafless tree
Niki was badly injured when the car she was travelling in smashed into a utility pole after her then-boyfriend Chad Renegar lost control as he tried to answer his mobile phone.
The crash left Niki in a coma for six weeks after she suffered serious internal injuries including a collapse lung and a lacerated liver.
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She had 56 operations and doctors had to rebuild her back by implanting two steel rods to hold her spine together, the scar showing a permanent reminder of this.
She was bedridden for a month and also underwent years of substantial physical therapy.
Cover Girl: Niki shows off her supermodel looks as she posed for the cameras as she arrived at the awards
But she overcame all the emotional and physical trauma and in the years since has made a name for herself as a TV presenter, hosting shows such as MTV's Fashionable Loud and the Bravo series Make Me A Supermodel.
She also launched a clothing shop in 2005 with her manager and friend Lou Taylor and a fragrance called Begin, later that year.
A full-time mum to her 16-year-old twin sons Jake and Hunter from her first marriage to Miami Hooters linebacker Matt Martinez, and her 22-month-old daughter Ciel from her current marriage to NASCAR driver Burney Lamar, she is set to appear on Donald Trumps Celebrity Apprentice in March.
On stage: Niki was one of the many stars handing out last night's gongs
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