Car crash claim news
17/09/2010

Record payout for cyclist

The car crash claim of a former cycling champion from the Channel Islands has been settled for £14 million, a record sum of injury compensation.

In 1998 the claimant, now 39, had been training when he was hit by a car. The incident left him with severe and life-changing injuries, including the loss of an arm, brain injuries and partial blindness.

Earlier the same year the man had competed at the Commonwealth Games but now will never be able to drive or be in gainful employment again, let alone ride.

The £14 million car crash claim payout, which was awarded on appeal, improving on the original £9 million ruling, is £3million larger than the previous highest settlement, an £11 million payout awarded to a Wolverhampton man who was paralysed in a road accident. I

On news of the settlement, the man's mother commented, "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 added that her son now "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 car crash claim deal will be paid out in a lump sum as index-linked annual payments.