A MARCH man is facing a £300,000 legal battle for compensation after his van was involved in an accident which killed a motorcyclist. The rider s widow, Anna Matthams, 35, of Essex, is claiming damages from the driver, Darren George, of Swallow Way, March

A MARCH man is facing a £300,000 legal battle for compensation after his van was involved in an accident which killed a motorcyclist.

The rider's widow, Anna Matthams, 35, of Essex, is claiming damages from the driver, Darren George, of Swallow Way, March.

Father-of-one Justin Matthams died from his injuries after his motorcycle was in collision with a Ford Transit. Mrs Matthams is also suing Mr George's employers, Light Source Services, of Stapleford Tawney, Romford, after the crash on September 21, 2004.

A writ issued at London's High Court and just made publicly available, says that Mr Matthams was riding along the A113 Ongar Road, in Stapleford Tawney, when he came up behind the Transit, which was about to turn right into a farm entrance.

It says that as he started to overtake the van it began to turn right into the farm entrance, and the two machines collided. Mr Matthams suffered severe injuries from which he died the same day.

Mrs Matthams accuses Mr George of negligence and says he failed to check his mirrors before making the turn, failed to check his blind spot, failed to heed Mr Matthams' approach, failed to keep a proper lookout, and failed to heed Mr Matthams.

He also negligently turned right across the oncoming carriageway when it was not safe, and failed to avoid the collision, the writ alleges.

Mrs Matthams is claiming damages for herself, her five-year-old son Frederick, and Mr Matthams' parents William and Linda Matthams, both 70.