£11,000 for Cyclist Injured in Hit-and-Run Accident

A grandfather who was knocked off his bicycle by a motorist who then drove away has won £11,000 in damages.

The accident happened when Jack Dixon, 59, was cycling home from Chelmsford railway station. He had left the cycle lane to negotiate a junction when he was hit by a car that was taking a sharp left to avoid some temporary traffic lights.

Mr Dixon suffered a fractured shoulder blade and a dislocated shoulder. He described it as the most painful thing he had ever experienced. The driver of the car left the scene of the accident without stopping. A witness to what had happened set off in pursuit of the car and managed to catch up with it. The driver said that he intended to come back and leave his details, but he then drove off in the opposite direction.

The witness had managed to take note of the number plate of the car, but police were forced to close the case after the driver managed to evade their enquiries for six months.

However, Mr Dixon brought a personal injury claim against the driver’s insurers. The insurance company admitted liability and agreed to pay him compensation of £11,000.