Bicycle Personal Injury Claims for Compensation

Bicycle compensation claims are a frequently occurring form of personal injury claim. With increasing road congestion and growing concerns about environmental harm caused by motor vehicles, cycling has become a popular alternative mode of transportation. More and more people are now using bicycles to commute to work or school.

However, cyclists are highly susceptible to accidents on the road, especially when they collide with cars or other vehicles, as they have minimal protection. This vulnerability, coupled with the lack of attention paid by other road users while driving, often results in cycling accidents. Such accidents can lead to severe injuries and long term impacts on the lives of those affected. In some cases, it can even result in financial losses if the injured party is unable to work.

If you were involved in a cycling accident on the road, which was not your fault, you may be eligible to seek compensation through a personal injury claim.

Common accidents that lead to personal injury claims

There are various causes of bicycle personal injury claims, including:

1. Motorist Negligence: Motorists failing to give cyclists enough space, turning or merging without looking, failing to yield at junctions or running red lights or stop signs.
2. Road Hazards: Potholes, debris, uneven surfaces, and other road hazards can cause cyclists to lose control and fall off their bicycles.
3. Defective Bicycle or Equipment: Bicycle accidents can also be caused by defects in the bicycle or its parts, including the brakes, tires, handlebars, or other components.
4. Poorly Maintained Infrastructure: Poorly maintained bike lanes, inadequate signage, lack of proper road markings, and other infrastructure-related issues can increase the risk of bicycle accidents.
5. Pedestrian Negligence: Pedestrians walking or running into bike lanes, suddenly darting out into the street, or crossing against a signal can also cause bicycle accidents.

If you have been injured in a cycling accident caused by any of these factors, you may be eligible to file a bicycle personal injury claim to seek compensation for your injuries and losses.

Bicycle related injuries

Common types of bicycle injuries can include:

1. Head Injuries: Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and concussions, are among the most serious injuries that can result from a cycling accident. Helmets can help reduce the risk of head injuries but do not completely eliminate the risk.
2. Road Rash: When a cyclist falls off their bike, they can suffer from abrasions, cuts, and scrapes. These injuries are often referred to as “road rash” and can range from minor to severe.
3. Fractures: Fractures or broken bones are common in cycling accidents, particularly in the arms, legs, and collarbone.
4. Spinal Cord Injuries: Spinal cord injuries can be severe and can result in paralysis or other long-term disabilities.
5. Soft Tissue Injuries: Soft tissue injuries can include sprains, strains, and tears in the ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
6. Internal Injuries: Internal injuries, such as organ damage or internal bleeding, can occur when a cyclist is involved in a severe accident.
7. Psychological Injuries: In addition to physical injuries, cyclists can also suffer from psychological injuries, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

It is important to seek medical attention after a cycling accident, even if you do not feel that your injuries are severe. Some injuries, such as a head injury, may not be immediately apparent but can be life-threatening if left untreated.

I have been involved in a bicycle accident – What should I do?

If you are involved in a road traffic accident as a cyclist, we would recommend that you:

• Report the accident to the police urgently, particularly if the driver responsible drives away without stopping.
• Take note of the details of the offending vehicle car registration, driver name, address and telephone number and, if possible, details of any witnesses to your accident.
• If your accident was due to hitting a pothole on the road, take photographs as soon as possible of the offending hole or other defect/problem with the road.
• Take photographs of any damage to your bike and clothing and keep the damaged items for assessment.
• Get a couple of repair quotes from your local bike shop or the shop where you bought the bike, including a report confirming the pre-accident value of your bike.
• Keep any repair receipts and receipts for replacement clothing, helmet, and any other items.
• Seek medical attention for your injuries straight away. Make an appointment with a medical expert to have your injuries assessed, or go to a hospital for treatment if your injuries are serious. Keep receipts for any medical or parking expenses incurred.
• Contact Beacon Law for legal advice and find out if you are entitled to make a no win no fee cycle accident claim.

Am I eligible to make a bicycle personal injury claim?

It is essential to understand that all road users owe a duty of care to one another to keep each other from harm on the roads. This means that they must use the roads safely, abide by road laws and pay attention to others around them. To be eligible to claim compensation for any bicycle related accident, you must be able to prove that:

• The other road user involved was negligent in some way
• They caused you to have a bicycle related accident
• You were directly injured as a result of their actions

In order to determine your eligibility to make a bicycle personal injury claim, get in touch with one of our experienced advisors today.

What is the claims process for bicycle personal injury claims?

The claims process for bicycle personal injury claims in the UK typically follows these steps:

1. Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer: Contact our personal injury lawyers who specialise in bicycle personal injury claims. They will guide you through the claims process, advise you on the strength of your case, and help you gather any additional evidence needed to support your claim. The three year time limit for making a personal injury claim begins from the date of the accident.
2. Start the Claims Process: Your lawyer will initiate the claims process by sending a letter of claim to the person or party responsible for your injuries. This letter will outline the details of the accident, the injuries sustained, and the amount of compensation being sought.
3. Negotiate a Settlement: Once the other party responds to the letter of claim, negotiations will begin to reach a settlement. Your lawyer will negotiate on your behalf to ensure that you receive the maximum amount of compensation possible.
4. Court Proceedings: If a settlement cannot be reached, your case may proceed to court. However, most personal injury claims are settled outside of court.
5. Receive Compensation: If your claim is successful, you will receive compensation for your injuries, any loss of earnings, and any other out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of the accident.

It is important to note that the bicycle accident claims process can vary depending on the specific circumstances of the case. Our personal injury lawyers will be able to provide you with more detailed information and guidance based on your individual case.

Claiming for bicycle accidents caused by potholes

Personal injury claims related to cycling accidents often result from injuries sustained due to road defects such as potholes or uneven surfaces. Poorly maintained roads, including faulty drain covers, can pose a considerable risk to the safety of cyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists and can result in severe injuries.

If you have suffered injuries as a result of a road defect, the responsible party for maintaining the roads is typically the local council. In such cases, a claim is usually brought against the council. To learn more about making a claim against a local authority, please refer to the relevant section on our website or contact us for more information.

What can be recovered in bicycle personal injury claims?

Bicycle personal injury claims compensation is split into two sections – general damages and special damages.

General damages refer to the awarded compensation for your injuries and will be based on your pain, suffering, and loss of amenity as a result of your injuries.

Special damages refer to any additional losses. These losses can include damage to your bicycle, loss of earnings, medical care, travel costs, as well as compensation for additional care required at home as a result of your injuries.

You should ensure that you keep all receipts and invoices for your additional losses as these will be required to prove your loss.

How much compensation could I be awarded?

The level of compensation awarded for cycling injury claims depends on the seriousness of your injuries. Lower levels of compensation will be awarded for non-serious injuries which do not last for a long period of time. Claimants suffering from the most serious injuries which are permanent, or last for a very long time will receive higher levels of compensation. As many injuries are complex, especially those which are ongoing, it may be necessary to obtain an objective medical assessment of your injuries before we can make an estimation on the value of your cycling injuries.

There are many law firms providing compensation calculators online; however, these may not always be accurate and may give unrealistic expectations as to how much a person’s claim is worth. Each bike accident claim is different, and the level of compensation awarded will vary based on many different factors.

When valuing your injuries, we use recent case law, as well as guidelines set out by the Judicial College. We will then negotiate a settlement with the other side to ensure you receive as much compensation as possible.

How can Beacon Law assist with bicycle personal injury claims?

Beacon Law are a specialist firm of personal injury solicitors with years of experience in dealing with road traffic and bicycle personal injury claims.

We provide a high level of service to all our clients and work hard to ensure you receive the highest level of cycle accident compensation for your injuries and damage to your vehicle.

Beacon Law is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. To find out about our no win, no fee funding and legal fees, have a look at the funding section on our website.

If you have suffered an injury as a result of a bicycle accident due to the negligence of another driver or local authority, then please call us today on 0330 1332 857 to start your claim on a no-win, no-fee basis or complete our contact form at the top of the page to start your cycling accident claim online and a member of our personal injury team will give you a call back.