A bus driver has been ordered to pay a young woman nearly €3,000 after crashing into a car which stopped when traffic lights turned red. 

The case dates to April 2008 when Raisa Gauci, then 18, was seated in a Toyota being driven by her mother. Upon approaching the traffic lights at Sir Paul Boffa Avenue, Paola, the vehicle duly ground to a halt.

George Desira, who was driving a bus, failed did not realise that the lights had changed colour and collided into the stationary vehicle, pushing it 10 metres into a pavement. On site, he admitted that he had not realised that the lights had switched colour. 

The teenager was rushed to hospital where she remained for a few days in bed and in pain. 

The victim's mother remained by the car until it was towed away as the damage was so extensive that it could not be driven. Mr Desira's insurance company covered the vehicle's damages but the two parties failed to reach an agreement regarding compensation, which was why the civil case was opened in 2009. 

The teen's doctor had certified that she had suffered seven per cent permanent disability. However, an expert nominated by Mr Justice Joseph Micallef concluded that the extent of permanent disability stood at one per cent.

The court therefore ordered the accused to pay €2,857 in damages.