A BIKER left with life-threatening injuries when a careless driver hit him on the A696 has called for more awareness of motorcyclists among motorists.

David Lodge, 50, of Darlington was riding his Honda CBR110 Blackbird motorbike with his wife Tracey travelling as pillion passenger when a driver veered into their path.

Mr Lodge was lucky to survive the crash and spent 17 days in an induced coma after being airlifted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

He was later transferred to James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough to continue his recovery from many serious injuries, including fractures to his spine, face, ribs, right hip and ankle.

His wife Tracey, 50, suffered from a fractured wrist, leg and foot.

The car driver was convicted of driving without due care and attention and received six penalty points and £1,400 in fines and costs.

Mr Lodge is still need of rehabilitation therapy following the incident last August and has called for more awareness among motorists to prevent such collisions.

He said: “Too many road users just don’t check their mirrors and all drivers should take more care to watch out for motorbikes, and cyclists as well.

“As a taxi driver and biker in my spare time I consider myself to be an experienced driver and I know all too well how vulnerable bikers are on the roads.

“We should be able to share the road space with other vehicles just fine and its important people take note of my story as I wouldn’t want anyone to have to go through what we have.”

Specialist lawyers at Irwin Mitchell’s Newcastle office are continuing to work on Mr Lodge’s behalf to secure funds for his continued physiotherapy from the car driver’s insurance company.