Cyclist who suffered multiple life-changing injuries when hit by car on way to work issues warning to others

A cyclist seriously injured when travelling to work has issued a road safety warning ahead of an expected surge in the number of people commuting by bicycle.

Father-of-two Darius Kravitz was cycling down Knight’s Hill Road in West Norwood, Lambeth, when a car turned across his path as the driver attempted to turn into Cheviot Road.

Mr Kravitz, 48, from West Norwood, suffered multiple life-changing injuries, including spinal and rib fractures, a fractured chest bone, a broken left leg as well as a fractured and dislocated right hip during the accident on September 11 last year.

He spent around two months in King’s College Hospital, where he received life-saving treatment, before being transferred to the Pulross Centre in Brixton to continue his rehabilitation.

Following the collision, Mr Kravitz instructed expert serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help him access the specialist rehabilitation and therapies he requires.

His legal team at Irwin Mitchell has secured him a five-figure interim payment to help fund his ongoing rehabilitation.

Using these funds Mr Kravitz was able to secure specialist rehabilitation at The Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital, enabling him to be discharged home in early 2021.

Mr Kravitz, who runs The Legends Barbershop in Holborn and the Strand with his wife, Adrianna, 42, is now urging people to take care on the roads.

He said: “The crash is all a bit of a blur. One minute I was cycling to work and the next moment I remember being hit by the car and coming off my bike.

“Ever since then life has completely changed. I loved keeping fit and active and we threw everything into expanding our business. Now that has all changed.

“I’m unable to do things people take for granted, such as picking up my children, and am a lot more reliant on Adrianna. All our plans for the business are on hold while I try and recover.

“I’ve always been determined and that determination is keeping me focused on making the best recovery I can. Getting back to work would be a huge boost and that is my number one aim.

“I just hope that by speaking out people realise the hurt and pain they can cause others and how important it is to take care on the roads.”

The driver involved in the collision pleaded guilty to a charge of driving without due care and attention when they appeared at Bromley Magistrates’ Court.

The driver received six points on his licence and was fined £394 and ordered to pay court costs of £139.

A survey of 2,000 GB adults commissioned by Irwin Mitchell also found that cycling rates are set to more than double because of the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.