£10,744 awarded for chest wound from bicycle accident

A 31-year-old man was awarded £10,744 at Lambeth County Court for injuries sustained in a cycling accident caused by a car door being opened into his path. The accident resulted in a chest wound, a fractured finger, and back injuries.

The claimant needed care for two weeks post-accident, experiencing difficulty dressing and performing household tasks. He was also unable to work for two weeks and struggled to enjoy a pre-booked holiday due to discomfort from his injuries. His chest wound left a permanent 2cm scar, while the fracture in his left index finger caused altered sensation, expected to improve over 18 months to two years. The back injuries healed without lasting effects.

The accident also caused psychological trauma, including a fear of cycling and being a car passenger, as well as flashbacks and nightmares. The claimant was recommended cognitive behavioural therapy, with symptoms expected to resolve within 20-26 months.

The court found the defendant negligent for opening the car door unsafely, leading to the claimant's injuries. In addition to physical scarring, the claimant's enjoyment of his hobbies, such as cycling and running, was impacted.

Conclusion and settlement

Liability was admitted but the amount of compensation could not be agreed. The matter progressed to a Court hearing.

Compensation of £10,744 was accepted by way of a Court award.

£8,550 of the damages was attributed to "pain, suffering and loss of amenity."

The remaining £2,194 was awarded for items including loss of earnings, care, loss of enjoyment of holiday and sundry expenses.

See also:

Cycling injury claims

Chest injury claims

Personal injury solicitors in Lambeth

Disclaimer

Case studies are for informational purposes only and aim to help prospective claimants understand the injury claim process. They are based on cases handled by Quittance panel solicitors or sourced from public court records.

Author:
Gaynor Haliday, Legal researcher

About the author

Gaynor Haliday is an experienced legal researcher and published author. She has had numerous articles published in the press and is a legal industry commentator.