A CYCLIST who spent four months in a wheelchair after being hit by a car has won £105,000 in compensation.

The 48-year-old suffered serious injuries to both legs after being knocked off his bike by a car travelling fast on a roundabout near Corfe Mullen in May 2010.

After 10 days in hospital, he spent four months in a wheelchair.

He was unable to work and missed two holidays.

He was initially offered £56,000 in compensation by the driver’s insurer.

But personal injury lawyers at Poole-based Coles Miller helped him win a settlement of £105,000 plus costs.

The man’s case was handled by personal injury executive Brian Parsons, a serving member of the reserve forces with experience of Iraq and Afghanistan.

He was able to obtain £48,000 while he pursued the claim for further damages.

Mr Parsons said: “My client suffered very nasty injuries to his legs.

“He sustained a fracture to his lower left leg but was unable to undergo surgery until the swelling subsided.

“His right knee was unstable.

“When surgery was able to take place, a plate was inserted in his left leg from the ankle to the knee with four screws to stabilise the fracture.

“After leaving hospital, he was unable to manage stairs and spent the first two months living in his lounge which had to be converted to a bedroom.”

The metalwork was not removed from the victim’s left leg until three years after the accident due to continuing problems and swelling, necessitating further time off work.

Mr Parsons added: “His right knee remained unstable.

Following an MRI scan, he was diagnosed with a full thickness tear of the posterior cruciate ligament with joint swelling.

“In July 2013, he underwent surgery on his right knee to reconstruct the ligaments and this required further time off work.”

The settlement came despite the three-year limit on the claim having expired.

Even though the driver’s insurer admitted liability, legal proceedings took place because of the time limit and the dispute over how much compensation should be paid.

Coles Miller used forensic accounting evidence and highlighted the severity of the victim’s injuries and the impact on his life.