Widow of road accident victim awarded €164,500

A driver who contributed to the death of a motorcyclist has been ordered to pay €164,500 to the victim's widow, after a court found him partially responsible for the fatal accident

The sum awarded in damages was half that which she would have otherwise been entitled to
The sum awarded in damages was half that which she would have otherwise been entitled to

A driver who negligently contributed to the death of a motorcyclist in 2010 has been ordered to pay €164,583.25 to the victim's widow, after a court found him partially responsible for the fatal accident.

The sum awarded in damages was half that which she would have otherwise been entitled to, however, after the court declared that both parties involved in the fatality bore responsibility.

Dolores Scicluna filed a claim for damages, in her name and on behalf of her minor son, against truck driver Jeremy Cilia, who had allegedly caused the death of her husband, 35-year-old Jesmond Scicluna in Siggiewi Road, Zebbug.

The First Hall, Civil Court, presided by Mr Justice Silvio Meli, heard how on 11 April 2010, Cilia had pulled out of a side road without checking for oncoming vehicles. The sudden appearance of the truck had forced Scicluna to swerve onto the opposite lane and crash.

Court experts deduced that the victim had been driving at 101km/hour at the moment of impact.

The court noted that the tragedy might have been averted had the victim not been speeding himself.

The responsibility for the accident was shared between both driver and motorcyclist, ruled the court, awarding the widow one half of the full €329,166.50 due in damages, as a result.