Cycling Accident Claims

Cycling injuries can have a significant financial impact, not to mention the impact on your ability to carry out normal daily tasks and enjoy a standard quality of life. Claiming compensation for a cycling accident is often the only way to deal with the negative effects of your injuries on your life.

Changes to the Highway Code, which came into force in January 2022, have given cyclists greater priority over cars and other road users. Therefore, if you have been injured in an accident where this hierarchy has been ignored, your chances of succeeding in making a personal injury claim are higher than they were on the basis of the old Highway Code.

Despite the change in law, cycling accident claims can be complex and are often hotly contested by the other side, known as the Defendant. Therefore, having specialist legal advice is critical to ensure the right information is brought to light and supported with robust evidence. Legal representation ensures effective presentation of your case, giving you the best chance of a fair outcome.

We offer a no win, no fee consultation with a member of our personal injury team to talk about your options and how best to fund your claim. No win, no fee cycling accident claims means it will often cost you nothing to start a compensation claim.

Our cycling accident solicitors work with clients all over the UK from our offices spread across Bristol and the surrounding area in Bedminster, Bishopston, Bristol city centre, Kingswood and Thornbury.

To speak to one of our experts, call 0117 325 2929 or complete our online enquiry form.

Can you claim for a cycling accident?

If you have been involved in a cycling accident and have suffered injuries, you may have the right to seek compensation. To make a successful claim, you will need to establish that the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence or fault. This could include the negligence of a motorist, e-scooter rider, a pedestrian, or even local authorities responsible for maintaining the roads.

To initiate a claim, it is advisable to gather evidence such as photographs of the accident scene, contact details of witnesses, and medical records documenting your injuries. It may also be advisable to report the incident to the police and seek medical attention as soon as possible. Consulting with our personal injury solicitors specialising in cycling accident claims can provide valuable guidance throughout the process.

If your claim is successful, you may be entitled to compensation for various losses, including medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related damages. The amount of compensation awarded will depend on the specific circumstances of your case.

Blog | How to claim compensation for a cycling accident

Contact our personal injury solicitors in Bristol and South Gloucestershire

If you’ve suffered an injury in a bicycle accident that wasn’t your fault, our specialist cycling accident compensation solicitors can advise you. To discuss a potential cycling accident claim, call 0117 325 2929 or complete our online enquiry form.

Case study | £32.5k for cyclist injured in car accident on roundabout

Our cycling accident claims expertise

We have decades of experience in claiming compensation and have acted on a wide range of claims for injured cyclists. Our solicitors understand that cycling can be a very expensive hobby, with bikes costing from a few hundred pounds up to tens of thousands of pounds.

We feel strongly about representing cyclists’ rights, and understand the safety issues likely to affect you. Whether that’s negligent drivers, bike and helmet defects or poorly maintained roads.

Our cycling accident claims solicitors can assist with all types of claims, including:

  • Collisions between cyclists and cars, vans, e-scooters or other motor vehicles
  • Dooring‘, where a cyclist has collided with a car door
  • Collisions between cyclists
  • Collisions between cyclists and pedestrians

Case study | £21,000 for dooring accident

It’s also important to us that your recovery and future quality of life are assured. Therefore, regardless of the seriousness of your accident, we’ll help you access specialist treatment and rehabilitation if you need it, so that you can make the fullest possible recovery from your injuries.

Our specialist solicitors are Business Members of the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) and are listed in their guide to choosing a specialist Personal Injury Solicitor. Our personal injury team is also included in the Headway Head Injury Solicitors Directory.

We’re highly ranked by Chambers and Partners UK and hold a band 3 ranking for our expertise and quality of our work. We’ve also received a tier 3 ranking for the South West by Legal 500.

Case study | £105,000 for cyclist injured in collision with car

Our bicycle accident claims service

No win, no fee bicycle accident claims

We represent most of our cycling compensation claim clients on a no win, no fee basis, also known as a ‘conditional fee agreement’ (CFA). It means we represent you at no upfront cost to you, with our legal fees only payable if we secure compensation for you. There is therefore no financial risk to you in starting a claim.

Other options for covering the cost of a bicycle accident claim include legal expenses insurance. This is sometimes an optional extra alongside home insurance and other types of insurance policies.

Read more about ways to fund a personal injury claim.

Time limits for bike accident claims

You will typically have three years from the date of the accident to make a compensation claim. Sometimes, there are some limited circumstances where the standard time limit will be extended, giving you longer to start your cycling accident claim.

If the injured party is under 18, the final deadline to make a claim is usually their 21st birthday.

Where the injured party is left without the mental capacity to make a claim (e.g. due to a serious brain injury), special consideration is given to the three-year time limit and different rules apply.

Hit and run bicycle accident claims

If you were injured by a motor vehicle while cycling, you may be able to claim compensation. Even if the driver of the vehicle involved fled the scene or left insufficient details to trace their identity.

We can assist you in making a claim to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) who can pay compensation for bicycle accident claims involving unidentified or uninsured drivers. We can advise you on whether you’re likely to be eligible and guide you through the MIB claims process.

Out of court settlements for cycling injury claims

If your bike accident claim is valued between £1,500 and £25,000, it can typically be handled without the need for court action using the Pre-Action Protocol for Low Value Personal Injury Claims in Road Traffic Accidents. This can let you agree compensation voluntarily with the defendant, avoiding the need for you to attend a court hearing.

For high-value claims related to more serious injuries, it’s still possible to agree a settlement out of court. Our personal injury solicitors have strong skills in negotiation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). They therefore have a great track record of successfully securing out-of-court settlements for even the most serious cycling accident compensation claims.

Case study | £20,000 for cyclist who suffered head injury in road accident

Court proceedings for bicycle accident claims

Sometimes, cases require court proceedings to secure fair compensation. We can offer highly effective representation to ensure you get the best available outcome.

Our personal injury solicitors have strong in-house expertise and established links with a number of specialist barristers. We therefore make sure your case is handled the right way at every stage of proceedings and ensure you don’t miss the opportunity to secure an early settlement.

Case study | £72,500 for cyclist collision on roundabout

Cycling accident claims FAQs

If you have been hit by a car as a cyclist and wish to make a claim, there are several steps you can take:

  • Seek medical attention: your health and well-being should be your top priority. Get immediate medical help for any injuries you’ve sustained. Ensure that all your injuries are documented by medical professionals.
  • Gather evidence: collect as much evidence as possible to support your claim. This includes obtaining the driver’s details, taking photos of the accident scene and getting contact information from any witnesses. Report the incident to the police as soon as possible and request a copy of the accident report.
  • Consult a solicitor: contact a personal injury solicitor with experience in cycling accident claims. They can guide you through the legal process, assess the strength of your claim and provide expert advice on how to proceed.
  • Document your losses: keep records of all expenses and losses related to the accident, such as medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages and bike repair or replacement receipts. This will help determine the amount of compensation you may be entitled to.
  • Initiate the claim: your solicitor will help you prepare and submit the claim. They will negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company of the driver at fault, aiming to secure a fair settlement. If a settlement cannot be reached, your solicitor can assist you in taking the case to court.

Remember, every case is unique, so it is crucial to seek professional legal advice tailored to your specific situation.

This will depend on the nature of your injuries and their impact on your life. Some of the main factors that will affect your claim’s likely value include:

  • How bad your injuries were
  • The impact your injuries have on your life
  • How long you have suffered with your injuries
  • The long term prognosis of your injuries
  • Specific costs you have incurred due to your injuries
  • Expected future losses you are likely to incur

Our solicitors aim to provide a realistic estimate of how much compensation you may be able to secure as quickly as possible so you have a clear idea of what you may be able to achieve before deciding to go ahead with a claim.

If your claim can be handled through the Pre-Action Protocol for Low Value Personal Injury Claims in Road Traffic Accidents, it can potentially be resolved in a matter of months. If, on the other hand, court proceedings are required, you claim could take much longer.

In the most serious and complex cases, it can take several years to achieve a final result through court proceedings, which is one of the reasons working towards an out-of-court settlement is usually the preferred option in most circumstances.

The chances of winning a cycling injury claim depend on several factors specific to each case. While it is not possible to provide an exact success rate, certain elements can influence the outcome.

The key factor in a cycling injury claim is establishing liability or fault. If you can demonstrate that another party, such as a motorist or local authority, was negligent and that their negligence directly caused your injuries, your chances of success increase.

Additionally, having strong supporting evidence such as eyewitness testimonies, photographs of the accident scene, medical records and expert opinions can bolster your claim.

Working with an experienced personal injury solicitor who specialises in cycling accident claims is also crucial. They can assess the strength of your case, guide you through the legal process and advocate for your rights.

It’s important to note that each case is unique and the outcome depends on the specific circumstances and evidence presented. Consulting with our legal professionals will provide a clearer understanding of the prospects for success in your individual cycling injury claim.

The amount of compensation you could receive for a cycling accident varies widely and is determined on a case-by-case basis. Compensation is typically calculated based on the resulting injuries and losses. Factors considered include the severity of the injuries, the impact on your daily life and ability to work, and the long-term implications.

Cycling accident compensation can cover various aspects, including medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, loss of earnings, pain and suffering, and other related damages. In more severe cases, where there may be long-term disabilities or significant financial losses, the compensation awarded tends to be higher.

It is important to consult with a personal injury solicitor who specialises in cycling accident claims to get a more accurate estimation of the potential compensation you may be entitled to. Our solicitors can evaluate your case, consider similar precedents and provide guidance on what you could reasonably expect in terms of compensation.

In some cases, you may need to secure bicycle accident compensation fast to fund the cost of treatment, other recovery and rehabilitation services or different types of support. Depending on the circumstances, it can be possible to secure an interim payment to cover these types of essential costs while your claim is still ongoing.

Interim payments will generally be an option where the other side has admitted fault, but the final value of your bike accident compensation has not yet been agreed. To secure an interim payment of compensation for a cycling accident, you may need to show that the outcome for your health or quality of life will be worse if you do not receive prompt treatment or other types of support, or you are suffering financial hardship due to the accident. This will likely involve presenting evidence from your doctor as well as potentially other types of expert evidence.

Our cycling accident claims solicitors can advise you on whether an interim payment is likely to be a possibility in your circumstances, then guide you through the entire process of securing an interim payment to help ensure your needs are met.

If a loved one has died in a cycling accident that was not their fault, you may be able to claim compensation. Your eligibility to do so and the amount you can claim will depend on the circumstances, so it’s essential to seek specialist legal advice as soon as you can.

Compensation you can claim for a fatal cycling accident may include:

  • Replacing lost income
  • Funeral expenses
  • A bereavement award
  • Compensation for your pain and suffering

You will generally have three years from the date of death to pursue a fatal cycling injury claim.

Yes, if you were injured through the fault of an uninsured driver, you will often be able to secure cycling accident compensation through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB).

Our bike accident solicitors will be happy to guide you through this process, helping you to secure fair compensation, no matter what the circumstances of your accident.

Depending on the seriousness of your injuries, the value of the claim and other factors, a Motor Insurers’ Bureau cycling injury claim can take around 12 months or longer.

Any cycling accident compensation we secure for you will generally be considered as part of your assets for the purposes of means-tested benefits, meaning you could potentially miss out on benefits you would otherwise have been entitled to. However, there is a solution.

By placing your compensation into a personal injury trust fund, you can receive a fixed monthly amount and/or use the funds when needed to cover costs, such as paying for treatment, specialist care or equipment. However, this will not affect your entitlement to means-tested benefits, so you should not lose out as a result of receiving compensation.

Find out more about personal injury trust funds.

Start a bicycle accident compensation claim today

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, our friendly, expert personal injury lawyers are here to help.

We work with clients all over the UK from our offices spread across Bristol and the surrounding area in Bedminster, Bishopston, Bristol city centre, Kingswood and Thornbury.

To discuss a potential cycling accident claim with a member of our team, call 0117 325 2929 or complete our online enquiry form.

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