A pedestrian left needing care for life after being hit by a teenage joyrider in front of his own home now faces an anxious wait before a top judge rules on his massive damages claim.

Gary Dawes, 44, had almost every bone in his body broken and suffered severe brain damage when he was hit by Craig Aldis, then 19, in a stolen Vauxhall Cavalier which was being pursued by police on the night of February 26, 2003.

Mr Dawes, of Lynchet Close, Hollingdean, Brighton, suffered serious injuries which, according to his claim, have left him dependent on others for his day-to-day needs.

Aldis later pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking and failing to stop at the scene of an accident. This week at London's High Court, Mr Dawes began his fight for compensation.

Although no firm value has yet been put on his claim, millions of pounds have been awarded in similar cases in the past.

Insurers NIG Plc, which is responsible for the insurance on the stolen car, has admitted primary liability to compensate Mr Dawes', but claim that he must have stepped out in front of the speeding car and must therefore bear part of the responsibility for the tragedy.

Aldis has played no part in the High Court hearing.

Mr Justice Eady, sitting at London's High Court, reserved his decision on the case on Wednesday, saying he would try to give his ruling next week.

The judge's ruling on how blame for the accident should be apportioned is likely to have a dramatic impact on Mr Dawes' eventual damages payout.

Mr Dawes declined to speak to The Argus yesterday (Thursday).

The Argus revealed yesterday that cyclist Alan Ide, 48, from The Driveway, Shoreham, suffered devastating head injuries in a fall caused by a "catastrophic" defect in the handlebar of his bike.

He won the right to a massive compensation payment at the High Court.

His case reached the court after he pursued a unique compensation claim against ATB Sales, of Whitworth Road, St Leonards - the importer and distributor of the bike.

Mr Ide said: "I am pleased with the judge's decision but there is still a chance the company could appeal."

Jodie Zarins, 24, from Howard Road, Arundel, claimed compensation from her dead boyfriend after she was injured in the car crash which killed him.

She pursued a claim of £500,000 from the estate of Dominic West after suffering serious head injuries during the crash four years ago.

Her family said they felt compelled to push forward with the High Court claim because Miss Zarins suffered lifelong injuries in the crash which limit the time she can work and mean she cannot afford to live independently.