A MOTORIST who suffered severe head injuries when a motorcyclist plunged through his windscreen and lost his life today accepted more than £1 million in agreed compensation from the dead man's insurers.

Wayne Ripley, 44, Miles End Cottages, Chestnut Street, Borden, near Sittingbourne, was driving his Land Rover on the A20 near Ashford, on July 24 1999 when motorcyclist Simon Brunger, who was travelling in the opposite direction, collided with his vehicle.

The force of the crash catapulted Mr Brunger through the windscreen of the Land Rover, and tragically ended his life.

Mr Ripley was struck in the face by Mr Brunger's crash helmet and suffered severe head injuries, multiple fractures of the facial bones and a broken leg, arm and wrist. He sued the deceased Mr Brunger's estate, for loss and damage resulting from his injuries.

The late Mr Brunger's insurers admitted liability for the accident on December 3, 2001, and today before Mr Justice Bell, sitting at London's High Court, they agreed to pay Mr Ripley £1,108,920.79 agreed damages to settle his claim.

Lawrence West, for Mr Ripley, told the judge his client had suffered not only "significant orthopaedic injuries" in the crash, but also "psychological trauma" which still affects him.

Approving the settlement, the judge said: "I wish Mr Ripley well for the future despite the devastating accident which has befallen him."