A London cyclist who sustained horrific injuries in a crash involving a taxi almost three years ago is being sued by the cab firm for £5,000 for damage to the vehicle. A crowdfunding drive launched to help him meet defence costs has so far raised £650.
Sasha Evans, a 28-year-old teaching assistant from London, sustained injuries including a broken cheekbone, teeth and leg and was left with permanent scars to his face after the collision at a junction in south London in January 2015, reports the Evening Standard.
He told the newspaper: “As I was approaching the junction I thought I had enough time to cross. As I committed to go over the first lane, I realised I had miscalculated and the car was going faster than I thought.
“My head smashed into his windscreen and I flipped over the car and landed face first on the ground. Then it all went black.”
Mr Evans, who is also a musician, was treated for six days at King’s College Hospital and had to take four months off work, during which time he underwent rehabilitation.
However, when he sought a loan to make up the income he had missed during his time away from work, he discovered that cab firm The Keen Group had sued him, with the summons delivered to his former address and judgment entered against him with a court telling him to pay £3,500 plus costs.
That judgment has since been set aside but tomorrow Mr Evans will appear at Central London County Court, with the cab firm having launched a fresh claim for £5,000. He is counter-suing the company for £10,000.
“It’s absolutely crazy, £5,000 is so much money for a non-luxury car,” he said.
“I still have huge problems with my leg and can’t really run any more but I’m lucky to be alive. My head wound was so deep.
“I’ve got permanent facial scars and still intense pain when I walk for a long time. It’s been a nightmare. I just worry about the impending court case all the time.”
While police attended the incident, Mr Evans decided not to press criminal charges against the cab driver involved because two witnesses were unwilling to give statements.
So far, £680 has been raised on Crowdfunder to help Mr Evans meet defence costs including a medical report on the extent of his injuries.
The page on Crowdfunder.co.uk says: “As if getting hit by a taxi wasn't bad enough, the situation has escalated through no fault of his own when the taxi firm tried to claim £5,000 in damages to the car, and he is now caught up in a complicated legal battle with the company.
“This is proving to contain many hidden costs - from solicitors fees to medical reports – all of which add to the stressful ordeal of an impending court case.
“Please chip in if you are able to at all, to help alleviate some of the financial strain that this situation is putting on Sasha.”