A motorist who was seriously injured after he crashed his car on an icy road is suing the Highways Agency for thousands of pounds in compensation.

The unnamed 47-year-old was travelling along the A30 near Bodmin on January 21st this year when he hit black ice and skidded out of control. Three cars were involved in the subsequent crash.

He had to spend two days on a life support machine due to the severity of his injuries and now claims that the Highways Agency failed to protect him and other drivers from the icy conditions that day.

The victim alleges that the Met Office had given advanced warnings that there would be severe weather conditions, but the authorities failed to react and did not grit the roads properly.

Should he be successful in his claim for compensation, it would be the first time a motorist has successfully sued the Highways Agency.

A spokesperson for the organisation said the roads had been gritted that day, but that hail and showers had washed it away.

Devon and Cornwall Police sent out a warning on January 21st 2009 after 30 traffic accidents occurred across Devon and Cornwall, many caused by skidding on ice.

Officer Joe Head said: "People are not used to these conditions and in many places there is black ice that cannot be seen."

Meanwhile, the AA reported that insurance claims were up by 56 per cent at the beginning of the year due to adverse weather conditions. In some areas, 40 per cent of roads were gritted, but this fell to 20 per cent or less in other parts of the country.