Cycling Accident Claims

Cycling is a popular way of commuting and keeping fit, but cyclists can be vulnerable. If you’ve been injured through no fault of your own, we could help you claim personal injury compensation.

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Making a cycling accident claim

The UK has seen a huge increase in the number of people getting on two wheels in the last few years. With huge British success at the Tour de France and Olympic cycling competitions, as well as recent lockdown measures, cycling has seen a massive rise in popularity – as both a form of transport and a way to keep fit.

But with more bikes on the road comes more risk to those riding them. In 2020, the Department for Transport found that 16,090 cyclists were injured in accidents, while 140 cyclists were killed.

Cyclists were also found to have the second highest casualty rate per billion miles travelled, ahead of pedestrians and all forms of motorists.

If you’ve been hurt in an accident on your bicycle that was caused by someone else, you could be able to make a claim for compensation.

Common cycling accidents and injuries

Cycling can be a fantastic way to keep fit. But riding on the same roads as cars, vans and lorries poses a real risk. In fact, the DfT found that the second most common reason for people not cycling more were road safety concerns.

Most cycling accidents involve another vehicle. The DfT found that in 2019, the most common contributory factor to accidents involving cyclists was driver or rider error or reaction, causing 66% of accidents.

The resulting accidents can include:

  • Being hit at a junction or roundabout
  • Vehicles turning across a cyclist’s path
  • Vehicles emerging from side roads
  • Car doors opening into a cyclist’s path

Road conditions can also pose a threat to cyclists. Potholes and other dangerous road defects will cause a lot more damage to a cyclist than to a motorist. These kinds of bike accidents may not involve another road user but are the responsibility of the local authority or highway agency.

Cyclists are not as protected as car drivers, so accidents can cause significant injuries to cyclists. Some of the most serious are head injuries. The University of Rochester Medical Center has found that head injuries are common among cyclists.

Also common are injuries such as:

  • Broken bones
  • Lacerations
  • Bruising
  • Dislocations

If you’ve been hurt in a cycling accident, you could be able to make a claim against the person or organisation responsible – whether that’s a car driver or the local authority for not maintaining road surfaces.

How much will I receive in compensation for my cycling accident?

For a successful bike injury claim, the compensation you are awarded will be based on your injuries and how they are expected to affect your health and your life.

This means that without an initial consultation with you, it’s difficult to say exactly how much you might be entitled to in cycling accident compensation. Our compensation calculator may be able to give you a rough idea of what you could receive for a bike accident claim. You can also just get in touch with us for free to discuss your claim.

Compensation is split into two parts:

  • General damages

This part compensates you for the pain and suffering you’ve experienced as a result of your cycling accident. It covers any effect your injury has had on your quality of life. For example, general damages take into account whether you’ve had to give up any hobbies – like cycling – or if you’re unable to participate in family life the way you did before your bike accident.

  • Special damages

This reimburses you for the financial impact your accident has had. If you’ve suffered a loss of earnings through being unable to work, special damages will cover that. This part of your compensation will also cover any expenses, such as medical treatment or travel to medical appointments. It also reimburses you for any damaged property, such as your bike or cycling gear.

How long do I have to make a cycling accident claim?

In most cases, you’ll have three years to make a cycling accident claim. But the rules can differ for some.

For example, if you’re claiming on behalf of someone without the capacity to claim for themselves, you won’t face a deadline. Meanwhile, children who have been involved in a bike accident can claim at any point until their 18th birthday, when they will then have three years to begin their claim.

It’s advisable to begin your cycling claim as soon as possible. The earlier you start, the clearer the details of what happened will be in your mind and in the minds of any witnesses or anyone else involved.

You may also find it easier to get certain evidence when you start your claim soon after your bike crash.

What evidence do I need to make a claim?

The stronger your evidence, the stronger your cycling accident claim. That’s why you should ensure you collect certain pieces of evidence if you can.

Make sure you get the names and details of anyone involved in your bike accident and anyone who saw it happen. At the scene of the accident, if possible, you should also take photos and video footage of your bike, the road, any other vehicles and your injury.

You should also inform the police of your accident, as a police report could be a valuable piece of evidence when it comes to making a compensation claim.

Medical evidence is also crucial so ensure you seek out treatment as soon as possible. Your solicitor will also likely arrange for you to have a medical assessment, which will show how serious your injury was and how it might affect you in future.

Your accident solicitor will let you know what evidence you will need to present the strongest case possible.

How can First4Lawyers help me?

If you have been injured in a bike accident that wasn’t your fault, you could be able to make a claim for compensation. First4Lawyers could help you through the process and ensure you are matched with the right personal injury solicitor for you.

This is true even if your injuries were caused by a motorist who didn’t stop at the scene or an uninsured driver. We could help you make a claim through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau.

So if you think you may have a claim, just get in touch with the friendly and understanding team at First4Lawyers. We’re happy to talk you through your situation and set out your options.

We work with expert accident lawyers, who will take on your case on a No Win No Fee basis. This means there is no upfront cost and no risk to you if your claim is not successful.

To find out more about how we can help you, just give us a call, request a call back or start your claim online.

Only pay a fee if you receive compensation

Where we offer No Win No Fee services for road traffic accident claims typically customers pay 30% + VAT of the amount recovered by our solicitors, although this will be subject to your individual circumstances and the actual fee may be less than this. Success fees are common practice and they were introduced when the law changed in April 2013. This amount is higher than the normal 25% on all other personal injury claims because of changes introduced through the Civil Liability Act 2018.

Cycling Accident Compensation Calculator

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  • In these cases brain damage, if any, will be minimal.
  • Where a good recovery has been made but symptoms such as poor concentration and memory problems continue.
  • Where ability to work is reduced and there is a risk of epilepsy.
  • The injured person is very seriously disabled and is dependent on others.
  • Epilepsy has been caused as a consequence of the injury.
  • Affecting the ability to cope with life and/or work or affecting relationships with family and friends.
  • The injured person largely recovers within two years.
  • Injury causes effects that cause significant disability for the foreseeable future, or permanently.
  • In consequence of defective permanent waving etc. where effects are dermatitis or hair loss leading to distress and effects on social life.
  • Where hair has been pulled out leaving bald patches, or stress-induced alopecia with full recovery within two years.
  • Resulting in pain and temporary interference with vision.
  • Permanent impairment of vision in one or both eyes.
  • Total loss of sight in one eye and reduced vision or other problems with the other eye
  • Total loss of sight in one eye only.
  • Mild tinnitus with some hearing loss
  • With noise induced hearing loss, or moderate to severe tinnitus, or noise induced hearing loss alone.
  • With noise induced hearing loss
  • With or without associated problems such as tinnitus, dizziness or headaches.
  • With or without the speech being affected, or tinnitus.
  • Full recovery with no surgery required.
  • Where recovery is complete after surgery
  • Injuries requiring a number of operations and/or resulting in permanent damage.
  • Simple fracture of the cheekbone, which will fully recover without surgery.
  • Simple fracture of the cheekbone requiring some reconstructive surgery, but with full recovery and little or no cosmetic effects.
  • Serious fractures causing lasting effects such as burning/prickling sensation or an element of disfigurement.
  • Requiring immobilisation but recovery is complete.
  • Serious injury causing permanent damage, such as difficulty eating or opening the mouth.
  • Very serious multiple fractures requiring prolonged treatment. Permanent effects such as severe pain, restricted eating.
  • Assessed per tooth.
  • Single tooth only.
  • Extends over a number of years, including significant deterioration of overall condition of the teeth.
  • Where full recovery takes place between nine months and one year.
  • Fractures or dislocations which cause severe immediate symptoms and chronic conditions, leading to impaired function or limitation of activities.
  • Injuries usually involving serious fractures or disc damage leading to disability, such as substantial loss of movement or loss of function in one or more limbs.
  • Caused by asbestos
  • Varying levels of respiratory disability and reduced lung function (1-10% and in excess of 10%)
  • Severe pain and impairment of the pleura (lung lining) or the peritoneum (lining of the abdominal cavity), affecting function and quality of life.
  • Causing respiratory disability attributed to asbestos exposure.
  • Causing permanent damage, impairment of function, physical disability and reduction of life expectancy.
  • Such as soft tissue damage causing considerable pain but recovery almost complete within two years.
  • Such as frozen shoulder causing limitation of movement and discomfort for up to two years.
  • Causing pain in shoulder and neck, aching in elbow, weakness of arm and hand.
  • Involving damage to the brachial plexus and resulting in significant disability.
  • Temporary or permanent disability as a result of a fracture.
  • Such as strains, sprains, disc prolapses and soft tissue injuries.
  • Such as disturbances of ligaments and muscles causing backache, or compression fracture.
  • Injuries causing severe pain and disability, including impaired bladder, bowel and sexual function.
  • Resulting in significant or permanent disability
  • Most elbow injuries such as simple fractures, laceration and tennis elbow, not resulting in permanent damage or impairment.
  • Injuries causing impairment of function but not involving major surgery or significant disabilty
  • Injuries such as deep lacerations, soft tissue wounds or crush injuries, all recovering within six months.
  • Resulting in impairment of grip or reduced mechanical function. Partial amputations resulting in deformity.
  • Injuries such as a thumb being severed and re-attached, leaving it with little use, amputation of the tip or at the joint of the thumb. Nerve damage or fracture resulting in impaired grip or dexterity.
  • Amputation resulting in very little use and weak grip.
  • Amputation due to crush injuries, or loss of a significant part of the hand due to traumatic injury.
  • Serious injury resulting in extensive damage to both hands, effectively leaving them with little use.
  • Caused by repeated vibration, damage to hands including impaired grip, dexterity and frequent pain.
  • Such as an uncomplicated fracture with full or virtual recovery.
  • Injuries resulting in significant permanent disability, but some useful movement remains.
  • Injuries causing some permanent disability, such as persistent pain and stiffness.
  • Resulting in complete loss of function in the wrist, for example when an arthrodesis has been performed.
  • Such as a broken femur, tibia or fibular
  • Serious fracture or injuries to joints or ligaments, scarring, instability and lengthy treatment required.
  • Fractures where a full recovery is not made.
  • Loss of a leg below the knee
  • Loss of a leg above the knee
  • Both legs being lost above the knee, below the knee, or where one leg has been lost above the knee and the other below.
  • Torn cartilage or meniscus, laceration, twisting and bruising. May be full recovery, or continued aches and pains.
  • Injury or damage causing mild disability or continuing pain, discomfort or limited movement that may require future surgery.
  • Fractures, joint or ligament damage causing constant pain, impairing movement and agility. Requiring prolonged treatment, the injured person will be prone to osteoarthritis.
  • Including fractures where there is full recovery within two years.
  • Significant injury but any permanent disability is not major. Injury may require a hip replacement.
  • Such as extensive fractures resulting in substantial disabilities.
  • Simple metatarsal fractures, ruptured ligaments.
  • Displaced metatarsal fractures resulting in permanent deformity.
  • Fractures to feet resulting in restricted mobility and /or considerable continuing pain.
  • Crush or multiple fractures to two or more toes, resulting in permanent disability.
  • Undisplaced fractures, sprains and ligament injuries.
  • For fractures and ligament tears resulting in moderate disability, such as difficulty walking on uneven ground or on stairs.
  • Injuries involving long periods of treatment, long period in plaster and some permanent disability.

Simply fill in our form below and we’ll call you back at a time to suit you.

Or talk to our team on:
0808 271 6198

There are other types of compensation you could be awarded through your accident such as loss of earnings or damage to property. The estimates given here are simply for your personal injury claim.

First4Lawyers' solicitors will be able to give you the best idea of the amount you should expect from your individual injury.

It is important to keep in mind that every case is different and the advice and estimates you'll be given, once your case has started, will be tailored specifically for your case.

Road Traffic Accident FAQs

Can passengers claim compensation?

Yes, if you’re a passenger who has been involved in a collision on the road and suffered injuries through no fault of your own, then you’re entitled to make a claim for compensation.

I was hit by an uninsured driver. Can I claim?

Yes, you can make a claim if you were hit by an uninsured driver.

With the help of our panel of solicitors, you can claim through the Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB).

Backed by every motor insurer in the UK, the MIB is a scheme set up to help compensate victims of accidents caused by uninsured and untraced motorists.

How much can I claim for a road traffic accident?

It depends on the type and severity of any injuries sustained.

For those inflicted with minor brain or head injuries, they could receive between £1,940 and £11,200. At the other end of the scale, severe leg injuries could see compensation between £48,080 and £119,210, whereas loss of an arm may mean an award of between £84,310 to upwards of £120,270.

For further examples see our compensation calculator.

Is there a time limit for making a claim?

Generally speaking there is a limit of three years to start a claim, starting from the date of your accident. If you were under the age of 18 when you had your accident, you have until your 21st birthday.

How long will a claim take?

The length of time it will take to make your claim depends on your individual circumstances.

Every case is different, so it’s very difficult to say at the early stages how long the process will be from start to finish.

Once your solicitor has completed their initial investigations into your case, they will be in a better position to advise you on how long the process is likely to take.

To give you a very general idea:

  • For a personal injury claim like minor whiplash, for example, the process could be completed in about six months. But in more complex cases, such as claims involving a trip, slip or fall, it could take over a year to be settled. The process could also be longer if the defendant disputes your claim.

  • Claiming for a work accident could be between six and nine months. But if the injury is more severe, or there are legal complexities, it could take longer.

  • Medical negligence cases tend to take longer as they can be complex with multiple factors and evidence.  A rough estimate would be 18-26 months.

You can contact one of our advisors to discuss your situation.

Why choose First4Lawyers?

Whether you want to make an accident and injury claim, or need a solicitor for personal or business law matters - our friendly team are here to help, 24/7.

Free initial consultation

Our fully trained legal advisors are happy to offer initial guidance and advice for free

No Win No Fee*

No Win No Fee solicitors - you don't pay a penny up front when making a claim

No pressure

We offer advice with no obligation.  We never cold-call or apply pressure to our customers

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