Elderly road accident victim wins almost €9,000 in damages

A pensioner was yesterday awarded almost €9,000 (Lm3,862.66) in damages by the court in Gozo following a traffic accident in Victoria almost four years ago.

The judgment was delivered by Magistrate Anthony Vella in a case filed by Ġużeppi Grech and his wife Ġolina against Emanuel Sultana and his wife Marthese.

Mr Grech claimed that while pushing his bicycle on foot in November 2004 he was seriously injured and his bicycle was damaged when a car, driven by Mr Sultana, crashed into him.

Mr Sultana told the court it was Mr Grech who had collided into his car while this was parked.

The court, however, found Mr Grech's version of events to be more credible. The bicycle had sustained no damage to the front wheel. Had Mr Grech driven his bicycle into Mr Sultana's car there would have been such damage. It further resulted that Mr Sultana had been trying to reverse his car without employing the necessary caution and had then hit Mr Grech.

At the time of the accident Mr Grech was 76 years old and was active with no medical problems. His quality of life changed completely as a result of the accident and he also suffered mental difficulties. The court, therefore, ordered Mr Sultana to pay Mr Grech €8,851.62, (Lm3,800) in damages.