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News Desk | News Story
2nd February 2011
Cyclist receives compensation after losing leg in accident
Cyclist hit by car
A Unite the union member who had to have his leg amputated after he was hit by a car while cycling has received £750,000 in compensation.The auditor for an insurance company had just started a personal challenge to cycle the length of Britain off road when the accident happened. Having cycled 20 miles off road he was returning to his car to drive home when the accident happened on the A7 near Longtown in Cumbria. His bike was hit from behind by a car catapulting him onto the car’s windscreen.
The 62-year-old from the North East suffered head injuries and his leg was broken in five places needing five operations straight after the accident and a further nine in the eighteen months afterwards. Eventually surgeons conceded defeat in saving his right leg and decided to amputate the right leg below his knee.
He now needs a prosthetic limb which has been specially manufactured for his use using interim payments of compensation obtained from the other driver’s insurance company during the course of the case. He needs to change the prosthesis regularly and therefore 3 limbs were purchased including a sports limb and aqua limb for use in and around water.
Thompsons Solicitors made claim for compensation
Following the accident he contacted his trade union, Unite, which instructed its lawyers Thompsons Solicitors to pursue a claim for compensation.
Thompsons was successful in securing an admission of liability from the driver and then getting interim payments totalling £123,000 during the course of the case before settling the case for a total amount of £750,000.
The member said: “It was a clear day and the road wasn’t busy. I was suddenly hit by the car and the next thing I knew I woke up in hospital. I’ve found it difficult to come to terms with my injury and I have been told that it could cost me £250,000 for prosthetic limbs in the future. This compensation will help me to get those without worrying about the financial cost.
“I am now able to cycle again but I am sticking to off road. I will never cycle on a road again.
Davey Hall from Unite said: “It is difficult to comprehend the pain and emotional anguish our member has had to cope with as a result of pursuing a hobby. Unions are there for their members day in and day out and also at times of crisis like this.”
Paul Brown from Thompsons Solicitors in Newcastle added: “The consequences of this accident for our client, who had been so active before this accident, have been immense and life changing. Our specialism in dealing with road traffic collision cases, including claims for cyclists, meant that we were able to get interim payments to help with his ongoing rehabilitation and obtain private therapies, private prosthetic limbs, and aids and equipment. The final payment leaves him able to face the financial long term consequences with confidence and able to purchase specially adapted bungalow to assist with his future independence”.
Cycle Accident Compensation Claim Advice
At Thompsons Solicitors, we will always strive to obtain the maximum amount of compensation for you in the shortest amount of time.
We are experienced in dealing with cycle accident personal injury compensation claims and also have specialist teams of solicitors based across our network of offices throughout the UK who are experts in dealing with claims for serious injuries.
Our solicitors will always be happy to review your cycle accident personal injury claim on a cost free basis and will always speak to you in plain English. If you have a cycle accident personal injury claim which we think we can help you with, we will be able to deal with it on a cost-free basis to you as all of our fees will be recovered from the person's insurers responsible for the cycle accident.
You can contact us to discuss your cycle accident compensation claim in more detail by calling 08000 224 224 or by completing one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.
Contact us about your accident or injury
Call us for free on 08000 224 224 Call us from your mobile on 0330 123 123 0 (charged at local number and free when covered by inclusive minutes) Request a call back Text CLAIM to 82010 (standard network rates apply)
