A motorcyclist left with severe brain damage following a collision with a car has begun his fight for a potential £4 million compensation payout at London s High Court. Kunal Karl Lindsay, of Pegsdon Way, Pegsdon, near Hitchin, was riding his BMW motorcyc

A motorcyclist left with severe brain damage following a collision with a car has begun his fight for a potential £4 million compensation payout at London's High Court.

Kunal Karl Lindsay, of Pegsdon Way, Pegsdon, near Hitchin, was riding his BMW motorcycle on the A44 near Blockley, Gloucestershire, when disaster struck on September 1, 2002.

He was hit by a Honda car driven by Kenneth Wood, of Beverley, Yorkshire, suffering devastating head injuries.

Mr Lindsay also suffered a smashed arm, damage to his lungs and tongue and has been left, according to his legal team, with "serious lifelong physical, cognitive and behavioural disabilities".

Mr Wood's insurers have admitted liability for the accident on his behalf and a High Court trial is now pending to decide the level of damages that Mr Lindsay will receive.

Mr Lindsay's barrister, John Greenbourne, told Mr Justice Stanley Burnton at London's High Court on Tuesday the damages figure could be anything between £1.5 million and £4 million.

Mr Greenbourne explained that, before the damages assessment hearing can take place, it must first be established whether or not Mr Lindsay has the mental ability still to manage his own money.

If this turns out not to be the case, the payout will be substantially larger as extra money will be needed to pay for the management of Mr Lindsay's funds, the barrister explained.

"It's not the degree of impairment which is in dispute but the effect of the impairment on Mr Lindsay," the barrister added.

The preliminary hearing was set to last for two days, with the full assessment of damages trial to follow shortly after its conclusion.