Personal injury advice from
Thompsons Solicitors
Tandem Cyclist Injured by Farm Waste on Road
2nd June 2009
A successful compensation claim was made against a farmer who allowed the public road outside the farm to become covered with a large amount of waste and caused a cycling accident.
Injured Cyclist
Our client was the front rider on a tandem bicycle and was proceeding along a country road. As he rounded a bend outside the farm, the wheels went into the waste, which consisted of mud, silage and possibly manure, and he was thrown from it to the ground.
The cyclist injured his shoulder and leg in the accident. He was able to return to the scene to take photographs as evidence of the hazard. It was clear in the photographs that the road was in a dangerous condition. There was a large silage heap located near to the road on the farm’s property and both this and the entrance area had been visibly churned up by large vehicles.
Compensation Claim
Our specialist personal injury lawyers took on the case on behalf of the claimant and pursued it to court. We alleged that the farmer should have prevented the muck from spreading out onto the road and should not have allowed it to remain there when it was hazardous to road users. The danger was even greater considering that it was on a sharp bend and there were no warning signs in place.
A highway inspector said that, had he seen the mess shown in the photographs, he would have ordered the farmer to clear the area.
The Judge accepted that the farmer was at fault and our client was awarded a sum of damages in respect of his injuries and the damage to his bicycle.
Cases where road users are injured due to spillages on the highway can be difficult, as it is often hard to trace who is responsible for the hazard. In this case however, it was clear that the substance had come from the farm.
Cycle Accident Advice
If you have suffered a personal injury in a public place, perhaps a cycling accident, another type of road accident or a trip or fall, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
Our lawyers have extensive experience in recovering compensation for the victims of accidents and can provide the best possible accident claim advice on a cost free, confidential basis. Contact The Legal Line on 0800 0328511, or by completing a claim enquiry form online.
Contact us
Testimonials
"It wasn't realistic for me to work any more and the loss of my income placed an additional strain on us."
Jane Evans
Mother of Rebecca
Personal Injury News
