Car accident compensation news
15/09/2010

Record crash payout

A former professional cyclist from the Channel Islands has secured a record sum of car accident compensation for the traumatic injuries he sustained when he was hit by a car in 1998, only months after he had competed in the Commonwealth Games.

The 39-year-old man, who will never be able to live independently again, was awarded £14 million in car accident compensation after his personal injury lawyer appealed an earlier £9 million settlement.

The terms of the new deal mean that it outstrips the previous highest injury claim payout, an £11 million passenger injury award, by £3 million.

Witnesses described the claimant's pre-accident personality as "extremely personable", adding that he was "well-liked and popular". However, since the crash he has been markedly different.

He suffered a brain injury, partial blindness and the loss of an eye.

His mother spoke of relief at the settlement, saying, "He will need care for the rest of his life and we won't be around forever so we are pleased that we know his future is safe," she said. 

"[He} needs 24-hour care from a team of carers for the rest of his life and the only way that we could have afforded that with confidence was to win this appeal.

"Nothing can change the circumstances but at least now he can have the care he deserves."

The cyclist had hoped to continue a professional career until 2006. The car crash compensation settlement tries to recognise this as well as other significant life-changes the claimant and his family have had to make.