Injured Mountain Bike Rider in Accidents Claim Bid
A former training partner of a disgraced Australian champion mountain biker, has launched an accident claim over the personal injury he suffered in a hit-and-run accident.
The man, bidding for compensation, is nearly six months into his jail sentence after he was convicted of aggravated driving without due care and leaving the scene of an accident.
The incident occured in February 2007, when the man and his training partners were at a party in Normanville, south of Adelaide, and the man wanted to buy cigarettes and drove his car while intoxicated.
His friend and training partner was riding a bicycle without a helmet, shoes or lights along the same road while intoxicated and possibly on drugs.
The judge ruled that his friend was partly to be blamed for the car accident as he was cycling erratically when he was struck from behind by the compensation claimer’s car.
The man didn’t stop and continued on to a nearby resort where they were staying. He claimed he was going to get help.
In a statement of claim filed in the District Court, the man alleges his professional cycling career was destroyed by the life-threatening injuries he suffered in the road traffic accident.
His injuries included the loss of his right buttock, fractures to his back, ribs and pelvis and a loss of strength in his lower body, according to the document.
His compensation claim demands to help pay for medical costs including physiotherapy sessions, counseling, medication and any future surgery.
Updated on 03/03/2010