Cyclist's Widow Receives £200,000 Compensation

The wife of a cyclist who was killed in a road accident has accepted a settlement of £200,000 from the insurers of the driver responsible.

Basil Clarke, 65, was cycling along the southbound carriageway of the A1 in September 2009 when he was hit by a lorry. He suffered injuries to his chest and abdomen and was admitted to intensive care, but he died two days after the accident.

The driver of the lorry, Karel Sedivy, was convicted of dangerous driving and sentenced to 16 months in prison.

Mr Clarke, who had worked as a self-employed stonemason, had only recently retired. He was a very experienced cyclist and had cycled along the A1 on a weekly basis for many years. He had also won many racing trophies.

His wife brought a claim for compensation against Mr Sedivy’s insurers. Two weeks before the case was due to be heard in court, Mrs Clarke accepted an offer of £200,000 in settlement of the claim.