Case study: £18,000 for cyclist injured in collision with car

Our personal injury solicitors helped a cyclist claim compensation for injuries she sustained after colliding with a car.

Accident circumstances and injuries sustained

Our client, Miss T, was cycling home from work. The Defendant was driving his car in the opposite direction to Miss T and turned right, cutting across Miss T’s path, resulting in her colliding with the side of the vehicle.

As a result of the accident, Miss T sustained the following injuries:

• A minor head injury with ongoing headaches (she lost consciousness at the scene and felt dazed and tired)
• A fracture to her right collarbone
• Pain in her right shoulder, which radiated to her neck
• A laceration to her right shin
• A jaw injury
• Soft tissue injury to the right elbow
• Psychological injuries

Claiming compensation for personal injury

Ms T instructed our specialist cycling accident solicitors to help claim compensation for her injuries.

We notified the Defendant’s (car driver) insurers of the claim, outlining details of the accident. Liability was accepted.

Medical reports obtained

In support of our client’s claim, medical evidence was obtained from a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon who prepared a report which confirmed:

• The fracture to Miss T’s collarbone resolved within three months of the accident; however, she was left with some clicking and occasional pain in her shoulder after prolonged activity.
• Miss T had a previous history of instability in her shoulder, which was treated before the accident, but it was likely that the accident had disrupted the muscular control and resulted in a recurrence of this instability. Physiotherapy was recommended.
• The ongoing pain in Miss T’s neck was linked to her ongoing shoulder symptoms.
• Pain in her jaw, which resolved within one month of the accident, although some ongoing clicking remained.

Our solicitors arranged the physiotherapy for Miss T on a deferred payment basis.

The Surgeon recommended a separate report from a Psychologist to comment upon the psychological impact. The report confirmed that Miss T had been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a result of the accident. Trauma-focused psychological therapy was recommended, and a re-examination once treatment had ended, so that a final opinion could be provided.

The psychological therapy was also arranged on a deferred payment basis.

The Psychologist re-examined Miss T and confirmed that she had made significant progress with her treatment and was now able to take longer car journeys. She had also returned to cycling on off-road trails. She no longer fulfilled the criteria for PTSD, and it was expected that her confidence would continue to increase.

At this time, Miss T also confirmed that the physiotherapy had aided her shoulder/neck symptoms, and she had no residual physical symptoms.

Claim for financial losses

Our personal injury solicitors collated details of Miss T’s financial losses she incurred as a result of the accident. These included:

• Psychological treatment
• Loss of enjoyment of her holiday; the main reason for the holiday was to go surfing, which she was unable to do
• Care and assistance provided by her boyfriend for the first three weeks

Settlement offer

Our solicitors disclosed all medical and financial loss evidence to the Defendant’s insurers and invited offers of settlement. The claim settled for £18,000.

Contact our cycling accident solicitors

If you’ve been injured in a bike accident that wasn’t your fault, our team of personal injury specialists might be able to help.

To speak to a member of our Personal Injury team, call us on 0117 325 2929 or complete our online enquiry form.