Cyclist crippled by lorry wins £280,000 after three-year fight

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Doris Barrera-Torrico, 31, a student from Gipsy Hill and former champion triathlete in her native Chile, told how she "lay bleeding on the road for 35 minutes", adding: "I could see the bits of my leg on the road. I don't know how I survived."

She called on motorists to take more care around cyclists.

"Lorry drivers as well as car drivers need to be aware of cyclists on city roads," she said. "Safer, more aware driving will prevent other people suffering serious injuries like I did."

She was pinned between two lorries and run over at a busy junction in Holloway Road in December 2007 as she cycled to a charity where she was doing voluntary work.

She says her life "changed forever" She lost almost all the tissue on her right leg. Ms Barrera-Torrico had to endure nine operations and doctors feared they would have to amputate.

Ms Barrera-Torrico, who came to London to train as a music therapist, sued the driver of the lorry for negligence and the case was settled out of court.

She added: "Sometimes I want to use my bike or go for a run and it's difficult for me because I know that I can't. My life has changed forever. I have to use crutches to walk now and my leg is deformed.

"In Chile I did a lot of triathlons. I have a lot of medals and it was something I loved to do. I competed at a national level and won two competitions. I miss it so much.

Her solicitor Paul Kitson, from Russell Jones and Walker, said: "Doris's case highlights the need for cycle awareness on our busy streets."