Cycling has become increasingly popular, not just for leisure, but as a greener way to get around. Unfortunately, even the most cautious cyclists can be involved in accidents.Importantly, if your cycling accident was caused by somebody else’s negligence, you may be eligible to make a bicycle accident claim for compensation.
Our team specialises in personal injury and cycling accident claims. You can speak with our friendly claims advisors for free, no-obligation advice over the phone. If we think your bike accident claim has a good chance of success, we can connect you with one of our expert No Win No Fee solicitors.
Call 0800 6524 881 today to chat through what’s happened, or read on to learn how cycling injury claims work and how to get started.
Table of contents
- Am I Eligible To Make A Bicycle Accident Compensation Claim?
- What Should I Do After A Bicycle Accident?
- Common Causes Of Cycling Accidents
- Common Injuries From Cycling Accidents
- Evidence To Support A Bicycle Accident Claim
- How Much Compensation Do You Get For A Bicycle Accident?
- Time Limits For Claiming Bicycle Accident Compensation
- Do I Need A Cycling Accident Solicitor To Make A Claim?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Starting The Bicycle Accident Claims Process
Am I Eligible To Make A Bicycle Accident Compensation Claim?
Under laws such as the Road Traffic Act 1988, road users must take reasonable care to avoid causing injuries to cyclists. Because cycling accidents usually occur on public roads, they are often treated as road traffic accident claims when another road user is responsible.
Therefore, you may be eligible to make a bicycle accident claim if:
- The other party owed you a duty of care.
- They breached that duty, causing your bicycle accident.
- You suffered an injury as a result.
For example, you may have a claim if you were hurt by a driver pulling out in front of you, a dangerous pothole, or when a car door opened on you as you were passing by.
Even if you were partly responsible for the accident, you could still be entitled to compensation. Claims can sometimes proceed on the basis of split liability, meaning compensation may still be awarded even if both parties share some responsibility.
What Should I Do After A Bicycle Accident?
If you’re involved in a bicycle accident, your safety should always come first. If you or anybody else is seriously hurt, call 999 immediately and seek medical help.
When it’s safe to do so, there are a few basic steps you can take after a cycling accident that may help later on.
- Check for injuries. Make sure you and anybody else involved are safe and seek medical attention if needed.
- Exchange details. Try to get the name, contact details and insurance information of the driver or anybody else involved in the bicycle accident.
- Report the accident if necessary. If the accident involved a vehicle and the driver didn’t stop or exchange details, you should report the incident to the police as soon as possible.
- Seek medical attention. Even when an injury doesn’t seem too bad, it’s sensible to get checked by a medical professional. Some injuries, such as soft tissue damage or head injuries, may not be obvious straight away.
Taking these steps can help protect your health and may also make it easier to deal with the situation afterwards.
Common Causes Of Cycling Accidents
Cycling accidents aren’t just a matter of bad luck. Government data for road safety statistics show that the most common factor recorded in cycling collisions is road users failing to properly observe others.
| Road Safety Factor | Pedal cyclists | Non-pedal cyclists | Any vehicle involved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ineffective observation by either the driver or rider or pedestrian | 51% | 64% | 59% |
| Driver or rider being aggressive or dangerous or reckless | 18% | 21% | 19% |
| Vehicle entering road from pavement | 13% | 1% | 6% |
| Driver or rider travelling too fast for conditions (including loss of control or swerving) | 11% | 3% | 7% |
| Driver or rider overshot junction or poor turn or manoeuvre | 10% | 12% | 11% |
| Driver or rider illegal turn or direction of travel or failed to comply with traffic sign or signal | 8% | 5% | 6% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist or equestrian hard to see | 6% | 0% | 3% |
| Vehicle with defective lights or not using headlights when visibility is reduced | 5% | 0% | 2% |
| Affected by alcohol | 4% | 1% | 2% |
| Road surface was slippery due to weather | 3% | 2% | 2% |
As the table shows, ineffective observation accounts for over half of the factors recorded in cyclist collisions. This often happens when drivers fail to check mirrors or blind spots before turning or changing lanes.
Once your solicitor identifies the cause of the accident, they’ll determine who’s legally liable, whether that’s a driver, a local authority, or another party.
Common Injuries From Cycling Accidents
Cyclists don’t have the same level of protection as other road users, so even minor accidents can cause serious injuries. Common examples include:
- Fractures and broken bones.
- Head and brain injuries (including concussion).
- Soft tissue injuries and whiplash.
- Road rash and lacerations.
- Shoulder or collarbone injuries.
- Back or spinal injuries.
- Wrist and knee injuries.
- Psychological trauma, anxiety, or PTSD.
If you’d like to check if you have a valid bicycle accident claim, please get in touch with our team today.
Evidence To Support A Bicycle Accident Claim
The stronger your evidence for your bicycle accident claim, the easier it is to prove what happened and how it’s affected you. Try to gather as much of the following as possible:
- Witness statements. Ask for the contact details of any witnesses to the bicycle accident.
- Video footage. Requesting copies of dashcam footage or CCTV footage, if there is any.
- Medical records. Head to A&E to have your injuries treated if an ambulance wasn’t called.
- Police report. Report the cycling accident to the police if the accident happened because of dangerous or aggressive driving.
- Photos. Take pictures at the accident scene to show the road layout and where your bicycle (as well as the other vehicles) ended up.
- Important details. Swapping important details with the other road users involved and noting their vehicle registration number.
- Personal diary. Start a diary detailing how the bicycle accident has affected your life, for example, if it’s affected your employment and/or hobbies. your pain levels and recovery.
- Financial records. Keep records and receipts of expenses and financial losses, such as lost income caused by the accident.
If you’re missing some of these, don’t worry, your solicitor can help track down extra evidence like CCTV footage where possible.
How Much Compensation Do You Get For A Bicycle Accident?
The amount of compensation paid for a bicycle accident typically depends on:
- The type and severity of your cycling injuries.
- How long recovery takes and whether there are any lasting effects.
- Financial losses such as lost wages, medical costs, or bike repairs.
- Any impact on your quality of life or mental health.
Compensation is split into two categories:
- General damages – for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity.
- Special damages – for financial losses linked to your cycling injury (such as medical expenses or lost wages from time off work).
When you get in touch with our team, a claims advisor will listen to what’s happened and explain your options. Their advice is free, so don’t hesitate to give us a call today.
Cycling Accident Compensation Calculator
To give you an idea of what some common cycling injuries may be worth, our compensation calculator uses data from the Judicial College Guidelines. These relate to general damages and are often used by solicitors and insurers to value personal injury claims.
These figures are only guidelines, as every cycling accident claim is different. Therefore, your final settlement could be higher or lower depending on your circumstances, medical evidence, and recovery time.
Time Limits For Claiming Bicycle Accident Compensation
You usually have three years to start a bicycle accident claim. This period often starts:
- On the date of the cycling accident, or
- In some cases, the date of knowledge e.g., if the full extent or cause of your cycling injury only became clear after you came out of a coma.
There are some exceptions that can apply:
- Children – A parent or guardian can claim on their behalf at any time before their 18th birthday. After that, they have until age 21 to start their own claim.
- Lack of mental capacity – No time limit applies until mental capacity is regained.
It’s best to get advice early on, as waiting too long can make it harder to collect evidence like CCTV footage or witness statements, which might be deleted after a few weeks.
Do I Need A Cycling Accident Solicitor To Make A Claim?
Dealing with an insurer on your own can be frustrating, as their goal is to reduce compensation payouts, not maximise yours. A cycling accident solicitor can present your case properly and challenge any attempts to reduce the compensation you’re entitled to.
Having a solicitor from our team represent you not only ensures you’ll benefit from their legal expertise, but you’ll also have somebody to support you throughout the process. If any questions or concerns arise, they’ll be there to help. Since our solicitors work on a No Win No Fee basis, we believe this will take much of the pressure off you. Plus, with legal guidance, you could potentially receive a higher settlement, as your solicitor will ensure that all aspects of your bicycle accident claim are thoroughly assessed.
Our team of solicitors always work hard to secure the best outcome for claimants. While they’ll manage the case on your behalf, you’ll still be kept informed with regular updates as the claim progresses.
If you’d like legal advice on making a claim, feel free to contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, we’ve answered some common questions about making a bicycle accident claim.
What should I do after a cycling accident?
Move to a safe place and call 999 if you are seriously injured. If possible, gather evidence such as photos of the vehicles, your bike, the road conditions and your injuries. Exchange details with the driver if you were hit by a car, collect witness contact information, report the incident to the police and seek medical attention.
Can I claim if I was partly at fault for my bicycle accident?
Yes, even if you were partially at fault, it may still be possible to claim compensation. Under the principle of “contributory negligence“, you could still receive compensation as long as the other party involved in your bicycle accident is also found to be at fault.
Can I still claim if I wasn’t wearing a cycle helmet?
Yes, may still be able to claim compensation even if you weren’t wearing a helmet. However, if medical evidence shows that your injuries were made worse because you didn’t wear one, your compensation could be reduced to reflect your share of responsibility.
How long do I have to claim compensation?
You usually have three years to claim compensation from the date of your bicycle accident, or from the date you realised your injuries were linked to it. However, there are exceptions for children and those who lack mental capacity, so it’s best to get legal advice as soon as possible.
How long does a bicycle accident claim take?
When a claim is started, and the defendant admits liability for everything straight away, the whole case could be settled in a few months. However, many bicycle accident claims involve negotiation over blame or injuries and require further evidence. Where this is the case, the amount of time required to finalise everything can go beyond a year.
Starting The Bicycle Accident Claims Process
If you’ve been injured in a cycling accident or you’re unsure whether you can claim, we’re here to help. Call 0800 6524 881 for a free, no-obligation chat with one of our advisors.
If we believe your case is strong enough, we can connect you with a specialist solicitor who can take it on under a No Win No Fee agreement.
You can start your bicycle accident claim today by calling us directly, requesting a callback via our online forms, or speaking with our live chat team on the website.