Motorist ordered to pay €57,000 in damages to traffic accident victim

A woman has been ordered to pay €57,081 in damages after motorcyclist suffered serious injuries in a traffic accident.

The accident took place in Victoria, Gozo, on 27 April 2014 at 1.10am.

The court, which was presided over by Magistrate Joanne Vella Cuschieri, heard how Robert Grima, aged 40 at the time, was riding his motorcycle, a Hyosung Karion, along Pope John Paul II Street after finishing work in Mġarr, when he was involved in a collision with Valerie Rotin’s Maruti, which was exiting a stop sign on Pigeons Street (Triq ilĦamimiet).

It was stated in court that Rotin did not exit onto the road on the stop sign itself, but rather from the entry point for oncoming traffic. This, Grima’s legal representation argued, showed that Rotin had performed a hazardous manoeuvre which displayed recklessness, negligence, and a lack of observation of the rules of the road, which resulted in the permanent physical disability of their client.

Grima, who was thrown to the ground after the collision, suffered a broken pelvis and torn ligaments in his right shoulder. He also had to undergo two operations and was unable to work between April and November 2014.

The plaintiff old the court that he still suffered from severe pain in his back and hips as a result of the injuries. In fact, Grima requires a hip replacement. With regard to his shoulder, he said that his movement had been restricted.

A medical expert confirmed that Grima’s injuries had resulted in 10% disability. A lump sum payment made to Grima by Rotin was deducted from the total amount.