Cycling Accidents

By Max Morris. Last Updated 17th May 2022. You may not realise it, but if you are unfortunate enough to be involved in a cycling accident that was not your own fault, you may be eligible to make a compensation claim.

Cyclists are vulnerable road users, with little to no protection versus the much larger, heavier and faster modes of transport that they share the road with. Cyclists should always take precautions when cycling, in the daytime as well as when the sun has gone down, to protect themselves and increase their visibility on the roads. Accidents do occur, mainly when a vehicle has not seen a cyclist when turning a corner, or when not enough room is given when overtaking.

It can be an incredibly upsetting and unnerving experience and can cause minor injuries and more severe ones that you could be stuck with for the rest of your life. Read on for our guide to cycling accidents, and find out if you could be entitled to make a compensation claim today. Alternatively, get in touch with us at any time.

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Why You Should Make A Cycling Accident Compensation Claim

As well as physical issues like pain and mobility, you may also be dealing with psychological issues such as the loss of confidence and independence.

Cycling Accidents

Cycling Accidents Claims Guide

When cycling, compared to other road users, you are more exposed and less protected which is why many cycling accidents are very serious. As well as covering the financial costs to help you recover as quickly and comfortably as possible; compensation can also help you to adjust your lifestyle to cope with the impact of the accident and your injuries.

It can also help you with the support of your family due to loss of earnings, and may even cover the expenses of repairs on your bike – or a new bike completely in major incidents.

Serious injuries mean it is likely that you may have to take a long period of sick leave or may have to leave your job completely. Compensation can cover these costs and give you the peace of mind that your immediate expenses are covered.  As well as any rehabilitation, care and home modifications and alterations that were necessary after your accident. A professional personal injury lawyer with experience dealing with cases involving cycling accidents is your best hope of getting the money you deserve.

Are You Eligible To Claim Compensation For Cycling Accidents?

We have highlighted some important factors that can determine if you are able to claim or not.

If you are making a claim within three years of the accident occurring and it was due to the negligence of someone else, you are more than likely due compensation. Be careful to make sure you do make a claim within three years of the accident, as this is a legal time limit and once it has passed, you are not eligible for any compensation.   Although it can be extended, this is rare and normally involves special circumstances.  This is why it is urgent that you get in touch with a personal liability lawyer as soon as possible.

Common causes of cycling accidents include:

  • Another vehicle was driven by a negligent driver
  • Poorly made or defective safety equipment, like a faulty crash helmet for instance
  • Manufacturing issues related to your bike
  • Poorly maintained cycle lanes or roads, like tarmac cracks and potholes for example.

How Do You Make A Claim For Cycling Accidents?

The first thing you need to do after being involved in a cycling accident is to seek medical assistance and treatment. After that, as soon as you are able to, you need to contact a reputable professional injury lawyer.

It will help your case for compensation if you gather as much evidence and information about the incident as possible. This includes any photographs you took of the injuries and damages to your bike you sustained, as well as the place where the incident took, particularly important if it was due to surface conditions that the accident occurred, the time, place and date it occurred, details of other parties involved in the accident and anything else relevant.

Example Compensation Payouts for Cycling Accidents

This section will examine the different types of compensation you could receive when making a cyclist accident claim. The below table shows figures taken from the latest edition of the Judicial College Guidelines, published in April 2022. Cycle accident solicitors and lawyers often refer to this information to help them calculate general damages payouts.

General damages aim to compensate for the general pain and suffering caused by the injuries. Should your claim be successful, factors that can determine how much general damages compensation you receive include the extent of your injuries, the treatment plan required to recover and if any permanent symptoms have manifested.

An independent medical assessment may be required as part of the claims process to determine factors such as the ones listed above. During the assessment, a medical professional will determine how your injuries have negatively impacted you. In turn, their findings can be used as medical evidence to highlight the full impact of your injuries.

Please remember that the below figures are not guarantees. Every claim is unique so you could receive different compensation amounts to the ones listed below.

InjurySeverityAmountNotes
Chest(C)£31,310 to £54,830Damage to the lung(s) and chest which causes a continuous disability.
HandSerious£29,000 to £61,910The hand will be reduced to about 50% capacity. There will be a lack of dexterity and gross cosmetic disfigurement.
Pelvis & HipsModerate (i)£26,590 to £39,170The injuries are significant but any disabilities will not be permanent.
LegModerate£27,760 to £39,200This could include serious crush injuries or complicated/multiple fractures, normally to a single limb.
Wrist(B)£24,500 to £39,170There will be a permanent and significant disability. However, some useful movement will remain.
ShoulderSevere£19,200 to £48,030This will involve damage in the brachial plexus and will be associated with neck injuries. There will be a significant disability.
Arm(D)£6,610 to £19,200Simple fracture of the forearm.
EyeMinor£3,950 to £8,730This could include exposure to fumes such as smoke, being splashed by liquids or being struck in the eye. There will be some initial pain and temporary interference with the vision.
Head/BrainMinor£2,210 to £12,770If there is any brain damage, the consequences will be minimal.
Teeth(iv)£1,090 to £1,710
Damage to or loss of back teeth. Compensation bracket is per tooth.

You can also claim special damages compensation when making a cyclist accident claim. This head of claim can cover you for financial losses caused by the injury. This can include loss of earnings, travel costs, home adjustments and healthcare costs. You will need evidence such as receipts, invoices and receipts to show the full extent of the losses.

To learn if you could receive compensation, please contact us for free legal advice using the above details.

How a No Win No Fee Professional Injury Lawyer Could Help You

Your personal injury lawyer will help you at every stage of the compensation claim process and will advise you on what to do.

There is also an option for hiring legal representation which allows you to avoid paying a fee upfront for their services. For instance, you could work with personal injury lawyers that work on a No Win No Fee basis. This means that if your compensation claim fails, you will not be expected to pay a success fee from your compensation.

If your claim for compensation does win, the success fee will be taken as a percentage of your compensation. The percentage is capped by law.

Cycling is something that you should be able to do without fearing injury or worse from an accident that isn’t your fault. So when this does happen, you should seek out the help of a professional to get the compensation you deserve.

If you get in touch with us, our advisors can offer free legal advice about your case. They could also potentially connect you with a bike accident solicitor from our panel who can represent you in your claim.

Learn More About Making A Cycling Accident Compensation Claim

Below, we’ve included links to some of our other guides that we think you may find useful:

We also have some other guides you may find useful:

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