Cycling Accident Compensation Solicitors

Cyclists are particularly at risk on the road from other road users. Accidents can be caused by drivers not taking sufficient care, using excessive speed or passing too closely whilst overtaking. In some instances it can be deliberate, in a moment of road rage.

Our experience shows that critical dangers arise at roundabouts, junctions, traffic lights and, perhaps ironically, cycle lanes.

Because of the nature of these incidents, usually involving a huge differential in mass and speed, the consequences to the cyclist can be catastrophic. We have dealt with the results ranging from fairly superficial cuts and bruises to life changing injuries.

Whilst potholes are a nuisance to all road users they can be extremely dangerous to a cyclist. Most potholes form towards the edges of the road and cyclists can often find themselves facing a choice of swerving out into a flow of fast moving traffic or riding through, or trying to jump over, a pothole. This can result in damage to the bike and/or a crash.

The most common injuries caused by potholes are to the head, face and shoulders, where the rider has been catapulted over the handlebars and down onto the road surface. If you are involved in such an accident you should seek medical assistance to check for head injuries even if you feel ok immediately after the incident.

Pothole claims can prove difficult and the more data you can gather at the scene the better. Highway authorities will deny fault as a matter of course and you will be required to prove that they have not met the minimum standards set by law for the maintenance of the road. Basically, the pothole needs to be larger than a set minimum size and it needs to be shown that it is not recent, otherwise the authority will be able to claim that it had inspected recently and there was no pothole. Photographs with date stamp and some item to provide a comparative measure will help, especially if the hole can be seen to show evidence of age, e.g., filling with debris.

If you can return to the scene over a period of time and take pictures showing the potholes continued existence this will help prove the authority’s reaction time to road hazards. It is therefore recommended not to report the incident to the authority. Often the pothole will be quickly filled.

Seeking local witnesses that are able to attest to the pothole’s existence over a period of time will also help to prove your claim.

Whilst cycling lanes have been introduced to improve the safety of cyclists on the road, accidents in cycle lanes are common place.

Accidents in cycle lanes can be caused by other vehicle entering the cycle lane. For instance other road users may use the cycle lane to overtake, or they may pull in to drop off passengers, or may simply turn left across the cycle lane without taking adequate notice of who is using it.

Equally accidents can be caused by obstructions in the cycle lane. In some places vehicles are regularly parked in cycle lanes and nearly all drains and metal access plates, which can be slippery when wet, are located near the edge of the road, where the cycle lanes are located. In addition, debris from the road gathers in the cycle lanes, not to mention potholes and road kill. Any of these obstacles may result in a cyclist having to move swiftly out of the cycle lane into the main traffic lane.

We will always take into consideration all the factors of the accident when making a compensation claim.

You can claim compensation for an injury caused by the failure of a cycling component. Your accident may have been caused by a faulty part, negligent fitting or inadequate repair by a professional.

Alternatively you may have suffered more extensive injuries than you should have in an accident due to a faulty helmet.

If you have been involved in an incident due to a faulty part retain the bike and the faulty part. This is your main evidence. If you need to have the bike repaired ensure that it is fully inspected by a reputable bike shop who can report comprehensively on the part failure.

The amount of compensation for your injuries is relative to their severity. The level is determined by reference to previous claims for similar injuries and we refer to these cases as ‘precedents’. Every case is different and we have to look at a number of similar previous cases which will provide us with a range of figures likely to be appropriate to your own case.

We will give you full advice about the value of your injuries when the medical evidence in your case is complete.

In addition to damages for injuries as above, you are entitled to claim for all reasonable financial losses you suffer.

An obvious loss may be damage to your:
• bike
• helmet
• clothing
• and other physical things damaged in the accident.

However, you can also claim for:
• loss of earnings
• loss of employment benefits
• travel expenses
• medical expenses
• care
• pay for DIY and gardening
• loss of insurance premium
• loss of holiday or enjoyment of a holiday
• and possibly a lump sum claimed for losing your job.

We will calculate these losses for you and prepare a schedule of your losses for you to check and sign.

It is not a legal requirement for cyclists to wear a helmet although many bodies recommend that they do so.

If you were involved in an accident whilst not wearing a helmet it will not affect the outcome of liability for the incident, i.e. it will not have any effect on who was at fault or to blame.

However, it may have some effect on how much compensation you would be entitled to. If, in the circumstances of the case, your injuries would not have been so severe if you had been wearing a helmet, your compensation may be adjusted accordingly. So, if you are claiming for injuries associated with the head your compensation may be reduced but if you are claiming for, say, a broken leg, this is unlikely.

It is a legal requirement to have a white light on the front and a red light on the rear of a bicycle lit when it is dark and when the light conditions are poor. Failing to have lights switched on in such conditions may result in your compensation payment being reduced if it was a factor in the incident leading to your injury.

Whilst there is no legal requirement to wear hi-viz clothing your compensation payment may be reduced if visibility was a factor in your accident. It will depend on the circumstances of the incident. For instance, if you had lights on at the time of the incident then a lack of hi-viz clothing will not affect the outcome of your claim.

The level of compensation in most of the cycling accident claims we assist with is agreed without you needing to go to court. However, in a few cases, for instance when the fault for the accident is not accepted or if the claim for compensation is particularly complex, the decision of the court might be sought.

If you do need to go to court we will be with you throughout the process to support you and get the best resolution to your claim.