Australian side-car rider claims compensation

Insurers of a famous motorcycle endurance race in Australia are bracing themselves for a motorbike accident compensation legal battle after a former competitor sought damages for injuries he sustained in 2005.

The personal injury victim had been on the sidecar of a competitor's motorcycle during the 24 Hour Trial organised by Motorcycling SA and Motorcycling Australia, and claims that organisers did not provide a safe and appropriate course.

The event has been run since 1924 and is seen as one of the toughest endurance motorbike competitions held in Australia.

The motorcycle accident victim claims that on 9th July 2005, the motorbike rider on whose sidecar he was mounted followed a course diversion through trees. Documents submitted to court state that the rider "clipped one of the trees, causing the motorcycle and the sidecar to flip and [the injury victim] to be ejected".

The documents further state the extent of accident victim's injuries: closed head injuries, stomach injury, a fractured wrist, artery damage due to extensive leg fractures which led to the amputation of his left leg above the knee.

The documents claim the rider was "negligent" and "drove without due care or reasonable consideration" for the safety of his sidecar passenger.

The motorbike accident compensation case is due to be heard in court later in the year.