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Top Journalist Injured In Police Collision Due Big Payout

After a long and determined campaign, an award-winning journalist who suffered catastrophic injuries in a collision with a police car has won the right to compensation to pay for the lifetime of care he will need.

The journalist had been out for the evening in Central London and was cycling home when he was hit by the squad car, which was rushing to the scene of a shooting. The vehicle was travelling at about 55mph in a 30mph speed limit zone, close to a mini roundabout. The head injuries he suffered were so grave that he was rendered reliant on the care of others and incapable of managing his own affairs.

A judge found that the accident was caused by the negligence of the police driver. However, the Metropolitan Police challenged the decision at the Court of Appeal, arguing that the judge's findings as to how the accident happened were contrary to the expert and eyewitness evidence.

In dismissing the appeal, however, the Court found that the judge had correctly applied his common sense and experience when evaluating the totality of the evidence. It was entirely possible that the accident happened as contended for by the journalist's legal team. The amount of his damages award has yet to be assessed, but is expected to be a seven-figure sum.

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