A cyclist from Nottingham has secured a five-figure settlement after he was run over by an overtaking car.

Retired John Melia, 75, was cycling through the town of Beeston when a car tried to overtake him on a narrow road. Distracted by the driver, he cycled into a tramline that runs alongside the road and, as he fell, the car ran over him.

“Our solicitors, many of them cyclists themselves, have decades of experience in supporting people, like John, who have been involved in a cycling accident."

Monique Medd Of Thompsons Solicitors

He suffered a collapsed left lung, rib fractures, fractures to his spine and dislocations to his right elbow and wrist.

John spent a month in hospital and needed daily physiotherapy and occupational therapy for 18 months to rebuild core muscles and help recover the use of his right arm, which he was unable to use during that time.

John said: “My whole life I’ve used my right hand for everything. Having to teach myself to use my left arm was difficult in itself, but coping with all of the other injuries made it twice as bad.

“My life completely changed for a number of years while I was having intense rehabilitation, and this is all because an impatient driver couldn’t wait a few moments to overtake.”

Monique Medd, from Thompsons Solicitors, said: “Cyclists are some of the most vulnerable road users and John’s story shows just how upsetting the aftermath of a road accident can be. His life was turned upside down for a number of years while he focussed on his recovery, yet his accident was completely avoidable.

“Our solicitors, many of them cyclists themselves, have decades of experience in supporting people, like John, who have been involved in a cycling accident. We made sure that the compensation gave him the financial means to pay for treatment that positively impacted on his recovery.”

Mr Melia continued: “I cannot thank Thompsons Solicitors enough. My solicitor was very patient and explained every single step clearly so I always knew what was happening throughout my claim and understood the processes we were working to.”