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'Minimally Conscious' Motorcyclist Guaranteed Big Payout

A motorcyclist who has been left in a minimally conscious state and in need of 24-hour care after he crashed into a temporary road sign is due substantial compensation after a local authority and a road works contractor accepted 80 per cent responsibility for the tragedy.

Lawyers acting for the 47-year-old man argued that a traffic management system which had been put in place during works on a trunk road was dangerous. He slammed into the sign, which related to the road closure, and suffered catastrophic head injuries.

The council, as highway authority, and the contractor carrying out the works admitted primary liability for the accident, but argued that the man had contributed to his own misfortune by riding too fast and failing to keep a proper lookout. However, following negotiations, they ultimately accepted 80 per cent liability for the accident.

Approving the compromise, a judge expressed the hope that agreement would also be swiftly reached on the amount of damages payable.

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