Driver wins €44,000 for injury in pile-up

A driver involved in a multiple collision in Marsa 10 years ago has been awarded over €44,000 in damages for the injury she suffered.

Josephine Micallef filed court action against two drivers involved in the pile-up, Rita Dimech and Tony Cutajar, who were ordered to pay her compensation.

Ms Micallef told the court she was driving along December 13 Road in July 2000 and had to stop due to traffic congestion. A car driven by Ms Dimech crashed into the back of her vehicle and she was flung against the windscreen. A few seconds later she was again thrown against the windscreen when a second car, driven by Mr Cutajar, collided with Ms Dimech's car, which hit Ms Micallef's for a second time.

Ms Micallef told the court the first impact was more violent than the second. Mr Justice Joseph Azzopardi said he found Ms Micallef's testimony to be convincing. She had suffered a 12 per cent permanent disability and the court awarded her €44,421.15 in damages.

Ms Dimech was found to bear four-fifths of the responsibility for the accident and was ordered to pay Ms Micallef €35,536.92. Mr Cutajar was ordered to pay Ms Micallef €8,884.23.