A cyclist injured in a traffic accident nearly 13 years ago has finally been awarded €67,860 in damages.

Stephen Camilleri sued driver Wayne Farrugia in September 2004 after he suffered a permanent injury when Mr Farrugia ran over him while he was cycling from Pieta’ towards Porte des Bombes in October of 2002. At the time, Mr Camilleri was a director of a factory in Marsa, and he used to cycle to work from Swieqi.

His route took him up the hill leading from Pieta’ to Porte des Bombes where the road forked, and he would make a right turn to the flyover to National Road in Blata l-Bajda.

According to Mr Camilleri, he was cycling along the inner lane of the road and had signalled that he was going to switch to the outer lane when he was hit by the car driven by Mr Farrugia, who was behind him in the outer lane.

Mr Farrugia denied all responsibility for the accident and said Mr Camilleri had changed lanes without notice.

But the court noted that Mr Farrugia had left nine-metre-long brake marks which indicated that he had noticed Mr Camilleri’s manoeuvre in adequate time to avoid him had he been going at a more moderate speed.

Mr Farrugia was therefore found responsible and was ordered to pay €67,860 in damages for a 10 per cent disability.