A court has ordered a woman to pay €57,081 after a male 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 was riding his motorcycle, a Hyosung Karion, along Pope John Paul II Street after finishing work in Mgarr, when he was involved in a collision with Valerie Rotin’s Maruti which was exiting a stop sign on Pigeons Street (Triq il-Hamimiet).

It was revealed in court that Rotin did not even exit onto the road on the stop sign itself, but rather from the entry point for oncoming traffic. This, Grima’s legal representation said, showed that Rotin performed a hazardous and dangerous 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, broke his pelvis and tore the ligaments in his right shoulder. He underwent two operations to repair the damage caused and was unable to go to work from April 2014 to November 2014.

The applicant has claimed that he still suffers from severe pain in his back and hips due to the breakage of his pelvis. In fact, Grima requires a hip replacement. With regards to his shoulder, he said that his movement is now restricted. 

A medical expert found that Grima is suffering with 10% disability, which was taken into account when the court ascertained the amount of damages due for Grima, along with his gross salary and his age, which was 44 at the time of the accident.  A lump sum paid to Grima by Rotin was reduced from the total cost.