Boss of Sky Bicycle team wins damages after pothole crash

Posted: September 20, 2013

Posted in: Bicycle Accidents Pothole Injuries Road Traffic Accidents 

Team Sky cycling boss Fran Miller (34) has received undisclosed compensation from a council after her bike hit a pothole, leaving her with multiple injuries. The accident occurred on Oldham’s high street in 2010 where she was thrown off her bike after swerving to avoid a pothole. The accident left her with multiple broken bones, including fractures in her jaw, cheek and fingers, and a few of her teeth were knocked out.

The claim has been settled against Oldham Council for their major road defects, said her lawyers. Oldham Council argued that there was a “national pothole funding crisis” and that their massively reduced budgets have meant that only the most high-risk potholes can be filled in. Penny Knight, from law firm Leigh Day, said: “It was clear that the damage to the road, which caused this crash, was a result of poor resurfacing after the road had been dug up by the council for works to underground pipes.”

Knocked her confidence

Ms Miller, who is the sister of cyclist David Miller, has since recovered from her personal injuries, but said that the accident severely knocked her confidence. She is back at work and recently competed in the Etape du Tour, a 198km cycle spanning an amateur stage of the Tour de France.

An Oldham Council spokesperson said that they were glad that Ms Miller had made such a fast and full recovery.

If you have sustained injuries from an accident on the road, and are looking to claim compensation, please contact us. 

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