An apprentice super-yacht skipper who was severely injured in a road traffic accident has won a substantial compensation payout.
Craig Tavares was run over while walking along a street in Southampton and suffered severe brain damage as a result.
Now Mr Tavares, 40, is unable to walk long distances, has anger management issues, and struggles to keep his balance.
A High Court judgement ruled the driver of the car, Charlie Anne Hudson-Rotin, now 21, was mostly at fault for the accident. She took 112 driving lessons to pass her test.
The accident happened on Southampton’s St Mary Street in 2009.
Mr Justice Globe stated Miss Hudson-Rotin had “very poor understanding of the responsibilities of being the driver of a car”.
He continued to say she was driving at “excessive speed”.
Mr Tavares was also found partly responsible, as had he looked left a second time as he crossed the road it is arguable the accident could have been avoided.
The compensation claim will take into account injuries caused, care costs now and in the future, loss of earnings, and distress, and could run into millions of pounds.
The compensation payment will come from Hudson-Rotin’s insurance company who are liable to meet the payment.
