A binman who was knocked down when a frustrated driver mounted the kerb has told how he plans to make a personal injury compensation claim.
Leslie Fitzgerald from Mile Cross in Norfolk was forced to take three months off work with a badly injured leg following the incident on October 10th 2005. The 50-year-old had been emptying green recycling boxes on the pavement when he was hit from behind by a car.
The car was driven by 47-year-old Michael Ford, and he had driven onto the pavement in an attempt to overtake the dustbin lorry that was blocking the road. Ford has since been found guilty of careless driving, fined a total of £150 and had his licence endorsed with five penalty points.
Mr Fitzgerald, a father of one, told reporters that he was still under the care of an orthopaedic surgeon and is planning to sue Ford for personal injury compensation.
He said, "I would like to have seen him banned from driving. This has left me in a financial mess and I have been bored stiff at home."
Describing the incident, he added, "He hit me on the right leg and knocked me into the side of the vehicle and I fell down. It was a real shock because you don't expect to see cars coming up on verges."
*Where replacement vehicle costs can be recovered from the insurance company of the person who caused the accident.
Where this person is untraceable or uninsured, or where there is a dispute over liability, a replacement vehicle cannot
be provided.
