A keen cyclist who was badly injured when a car knocked him down has received £5,000 in compensation.

The Unite the union member from Whitehaven, Cumbria was off work for two weeks following the accident on his cycle and was so psychologically damaged by the incident it took him more than eight months to get back in the saddle.

The 58-year-old, who has now retired from his job as a printer at Alcan Packaging, was left with a scar above his left eye and injuries to his arm, thigh, ribcage and foot following the accident on a road near Braystones, Cumbria.

Accident Compensation Awarded

Whilst there was a dispute about who was to blame for the accident, the member - who maintained that the car crushed him when he waited for the driver on a narrow bridge - obtained £5,000 in accident compensation for his injuries.

Before the accident he was cycling more than 150 miles a week. He said after receiving counselling he is now slowly getting back to his old routine.

He said: “It took me a long time to get back onto my bike and the first time I did it was nerve wracking. I have been cycling for years but at one point I never thought I’d get back on. I’ve received counselling and I’m slowly improving but there are still times when my nerves get the better of me.”

Thompsons Solicitors made claim for compensation

Following the accident he contacted his union, Unite, which instructed its lawyers Thompsons Solicitors to pursue a claim for compensation.

The driver never admitted liability but agreed to settle the claim out of court.

Paul Finegan, Unite North West Regional Officer said: “We are pleased we have been able to support our member in this claim to help him to return to normality. The union’s legal services are not restricted to accidents in the workplace and can extend to road traffic accidents like this one.”

Hazel Webb from Thompsons Solicitors added: “Our client faced significant physiological trauma and physical injury as a result of this accident. It has taken him many months to get back on his bike. It is only right that he receives compensation for his hardship.”