A man who suffered traumatic brain injuries in a crash on the Kings Highway has settled for $2.75 million from his negligent driver, resolving a case before the courts for eight years.
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The crash happened on the road between Canberra and the NSW south coast on January 23, 2005.
The car was near Braidwood when it crashed into other vehicles travelling on the busy highway.
The passenger suffered "very serious" injuries.
He was left with a significant brain injury that caused lasting disability through serious cognitive and behavioural deficits.
Damage was caused to his left forearm, wrist, hand, knee and humerus, right foot and ankle, and his sternum.
The passenger was left with nervous shock, post-traumatic amnesia and stress, as well as other psychological injury.
His mother, acting as his guardian, sought compensation from the driver for culpable negligence in his driving, which was alleged to have caused the injuries, loss and damage.
The driver admitted his negligence, but argued he wasn't responsible for the loss and damage.
The dispute went to trial before then Master David Mossop, but was put on hold 10 days later, and sent to mediation.
The parties settled for $2.75 million, but required the approval of a judge before the matter was finalised, a process that helps ensure the agreement is appropriate in the circumstances of the case.
Justice Richard Refshauge gave that approval in a judgment handed down on Tuesday in the ACT Supreme Court.
Justice Refshauge noted that the case had been afoot for eight years.
He said there was considerable ongoing pressure on the passenger.
Justice Refshauge called on the government to consider reforms to introduce a system of interim payments to relieve such pressure.
