An alleged hit and run victim has been left ‘physically and financially crippled for life’

The victim of an alleged hit and run has been left ‘physically and financially crippled for life’ – he says the Territory’s compensation scheme should do more for people like him.

Kris Ludwig, a cyclist, was allegedly struck by a driver in Darwin on November 3, 2023. Picture: Supplied

Thirteen months ago Kris Ludwig woke up in an intensive care unit in Adelaide.

He had been seriously injured on a Darwin road while cycling at 5.30am on November 3, 2023.

The driver had allegedly fled the scene.

Mr Ludwig’s condition was so serious he was flown from Darwin to an Adelaide hospital. Picture: Supplied

Mr Ludwig says not much has changed since that day.

“Every time I wake up, it’s like I’m waking up again in the ICU in Adelaide,” Mr Ludwig said.

“The bone and skin damage has healed, but the spinal damage will leave me impaired for life.”

Mr Ludwig said the spinal damage will render him “impaired for life”. Picture: Supplied

Mr Ludwig was living in Darwin while working as a FIFO for his job in Tanzania at the time.

He remains horrified at the discrepancies between Territory and Tanzanian roads.

Mr Ludwig has been critical of the inadequacy of the Territory’s motor accidents compensation (MAC) scheme.

“The biggest challenge I face is the lack of compensation available to victims of motor vehicle accidents in the NT,” Mr Ludwig said.

“Loss of income is irrelevant if you can’t return to your previous work.

“Pain and suffering is irrelevant.

“This incident will leave me physically and financially crippled for life.”

X-rays of Mr Ludwig’s spinal damage. Picture: Supplied

The compensation from MAC has been so little that Mr Ludwig’s friends established a GoFundMe to help assist with his new life.

“Legal advice has confirmed that there’s practically no noticeable compensation for road accident victims in the NT,” the GoFundMe page claims.

“It’s just not in the NT legislation.

“He is permanently crippled and will be lucky to get $20,000.”

Mr Ludwig said it’s time for the Territory to review its compensation scheme, especially for victims of hit and runs.

Mr Ludwig was recognised on the social cycling scene by his tuxedo jersey. Picture: Supplied

A MAC Commission spokesperson defended the Territory’s compensation scheme.

“Since its inception, the Scheme has proven to be an equitable, affordable and sustainable safety-net to people injured on Territory roads,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said they would not consider changing compensation for hit and run victims to ensure the “equitable nature of the scheme”.

To donate go to https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-help-kris-kristian-ludwig-our-cycling-mate

Originally published as An alleged hit and run victim has been left ‘physically and financially crippled for life’