Motorcyclist who was severely injured in crash loses £6.4million compensation claim after photograph showed him taking part in base jump four years later

A motorcyclist who was severely injured in a crash loses a £6.4million compensation claim after a photograph showed him taking part in a base jump four years after his accident. 

Matthew Shaw, now 30, suffered series injuries to all four limbs after he was hit by a car while riding his motorbike in Stockport, Greater Manchester in 2018.

The then 26-year-old had to undergo 23 surgical procedures and claimed his life had been affected by long-term injuries.

But despite the devastating accident, Mr Shaw lost out on the biggest compensation claim seen by English courts after a photograph showed the adrenaline-seeker had taken part in a base jump just a few years later.

Investigators concluded that the motorcyclist had lied about his injuries and his life had not been as adversely affected as he had originally suggested.

Following the dangerous crash in 2018, Gillian Wilde admitted liability after she drove out from a minor road into Mr Shaw's path.

Her insurance company, Hastings made interim payments of £50,000 and £100,000 by 2020 The Times reported. 

But investigations by the insurance company, Hastings, concluded that Shaw had lied about his insurance claim. 

He had initially claimed he couldn't walk more than 200 yards without the use of a stick but was in fact able to walk five times that far unaided.

Investigators also found evidence of Shaw taking part in a highly dangerous base jump at Monte Brento in Italy in 2022.

A photograph produced by the investigators was used as evidence during the hearing and proved Shaw would have had to have walked for a long distance to reach the jumping-off point.

Mr Shaw had also taken part in climbing expeditions and had been certified fit for a tandem skydive by his GP. 

Despite the evidence, Mr Shaw continued to seek compensation including a Land Rover to transport his mobility scooter, bungalow accommodation in an affluent area, and business class travel for trips abroad. 

The judge presiding over the case rejected Shaw's explanation that he was only carrying the jumping gear for a friend. 

Judge Craig Sephton KC, sitting as a High Court judge, said that Shaw had 'lied to the experts and to the court about the extent of his disabilities'.

He added that Shaw had been 'made aware of the potential consequences of presenting a dishonest claim' and that 'despite this he did not admit that he had lied. On the contrary, he continued to lie. He was unrepentant.'

Summarising his findings, the judge said that he concluded that the now 30-year-old 'advanced a case that his mobility and function were severely compromised when he knew that his mobility and function were not nearly so severely affected as he made out. He then gave explanations and excuses which he knew to be untrue.'