A man seriously injured in a car crash which killed his best friend is suing for £50,000 in damages.

Sri Lankan Alan Ratnam, 31, spent a fortnight in a coma and has been unable to work since the accident in October 2000 which killed 61-year-old Michael Foster.

Mr Ratnam has now filed for damages against Trampas McIvor, from Uckfield, who crashed into Mr Foster's van and who has since been convicted of driving without due care and attention.

Mr Foster, from Eastbourne, was driving his Nissan Urvan van with Mr Ratnam in the passenger seat, southbound on the A22 at The Dicker, near Hailsham.

Mr McIvor's Vauxhall Movano was travelling north but span into the opposite carriageway after colliding with a Toyota Corolla. The Vauxhall careered into the Nissan, killing Mr Foster.

Mr Ratnam, of Whitley Road, Eastbourne, was airlifted to Eastbourne District General Hospital, suffering multiple injuries, broken legs and a dislocated right knee.

He is likely to need at least another two knee reconstruction operations and finds it extremely difficult and painful to walk.

Mr Ratnam came to England in 1996, has been looked after by Mr Foster's relatives.

He said: "I received a lot of help from Mr Foster's sister and brother-in-law during my initial time in hospital and lived with them when I was discharged. They continue to be very good friends of mine.

"The accident has put a great cloud over my life. I lost my best friend and because of my incapacity my social life is blighted. It has halted my career and financially I am now hard-pressed.

"But these are of relatively little consequence compared with the constant pain I have to endure in spite of ten operations and a bleak future involving arthritis."

Until the accident he had been training to become an engineer while working part-time in Tesco in Eastbourne to fund himself.

He is now hoping to find courses preparing him for work which would not involve much movement.

Geraint Thomas, Mr Ratnam's solicitor, said: "He has shown remarkable fortitude in getting through this."

Mr McIvor was convicted of driving without due care and attention when he appeared before Eastbourne magistrates on May 4, 2001.

Mr McIvor was fined £300 and given five points on his driving licence following his conviction.

Mr Ratnam said: "Naturally I feel somewhat bitter about his being physically fit and able to do as he wishes while from being physically very fit I now have to lead the life of an invalid.

"However, it must not be forgotten that he will now have to live the rest of his life knowing what he did."

Mr McIvor's insurers, represented by London-based law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer, have admitted liability but are claiming Mr Ratnam was not wearing a seatbelt, a charge he denies.

Gavin Beardsell, a partner at Berrymans Lace Mawer, said: "Given the High Court litigation, it would be inappropriate for us to comment."

The writ has been served at the High Court in London but is not expected to go to trial for at least six months, possibly a year.