Around 18,000 UK cyclists are injured in a cycle accident every year.
If you’re one of them, and the accident was somebody else’s fault, you have a right to seek financial justice. Such accidents can be highly traumatic and the physical injuries sustained may be very serious. Here at Injury Lawyers Direct, we believe the least you deserve is an apology and fair cycling accident compensation to cover the cost of your recovery, and we’re here to help.
We have many years of experience successfully settling cycling accident claims on a ‘no win no fee’ basis – and we could do the same for you. For a free consultation, call 0800 110 5888.
Why choose us to assist with a bicycle accident claim?
Cycling accidents can be scary. Even if you were travelling at low speed, getting knocked off your bike can cause everything from minor cuts and bruises to life-changing head and spinal injuries. What’s more, you’re likely to be shaken up by the incident – and the aftereffects can take a huge toll on your day-to-day life.
As leading cycle accident solicitors, we completely empathise with your situation. We’ve assisted countless cyclists in your shoes before and we understand, when trying to recover from a bike accident, taking legal action can feel intimidating. That’s why, we aim to make the process as easy as possible – and we’re happy to take care of the full bicycle accident claim on your behalf.
From gathering the initial evidence to negotiating your final settlement. You can leave it all to us, whilst you focus on getting better – and getting yourself back on the road as soon as possible.
We also work on a ‘no win no fee’ basis. If you’ve been injured and somebody else’s negligence was to blame, it’s only right that you can seek financial justice with no financial risk to yourself. And we will do everything we can to secure the cycle accident compensation that you deserve.
Help for all cycling accident claims
Every cycle accident is different – in terms of both the accident itself and the nature and severity of your injury. But no matter the specific circumstances, we can help. We approach each case on an individual basis and, as a team of specialist road traffic accident solicitors, we can assist with claims for a diverse range of accidents.
These include (but are not limited to) those caused by:
- another vehicle on the road
- defective equipment, such as a faulty crash helmet or manufacturing issue
- poorly maintained roads and cycle lanes (e.g. cracks or potholes in the tarmac)
The most common injuries that people claim compensation for include:
- joint dislocation and fractures
- muscular strains and other soft tissue injuries
- neck injuries
- cuts, scrapes and bruises
- road rash (i.e. deep scrapes)
- broken bones
However, despite the protection provided by helmets, cycling accidents can (and frequently do) lead to some very serious injuries – including head and brain injuries, spinal cord damage and paralysis. And if you’ve been unfortunate enough to suffer a cycling injury of this severity, it’s even more important to seek compensation – if nothing else, but simply to support your ongoing day-to-day care and rehabilitation.
It’s also possible to claim for a cycling accident that has led to emotional and psychological symptoms (e.g. anxiety, depression, PTSD). These are often overlooked by potential claimants. But if they’re having a significant and lasting impact on the quality of your life, this will be taken into account and could affect how much compensation you’re awarded.
Here at Injury Lawyers Direct, we have a team of lawyers, barristers and insurers who are specialised in this particular area of the law. Over the years, we’ve handled claims for cycling accidents of all kinds – and we can tailor our advice and put together a case based on the unique circumstances of your accident and injury.
Am I eligible to make a cycle accident claim?
If you’ve been injured whilst cycling and somebody else was to blame – whether that be a driver, local authority, manufacturer etc. – by law you’re eligible to make a cycling accident claim.
Some of the most common cycling injuries are listed above. But no matter how you’ve been affected – physically or psychologically – and whatever the circumstances, it’s worth coming to speak to us when you’re feeling up to it. If the incident happened within the last 3 years, you could be entitled to compensation for both the pain suffered and any financial losses. And following an initial consultation, we can advise on both your eligibility and chances of success.
It’s important to note, even if you don’t know the details of the party at fault (e.g. hit and run cases, untraceable drivers etc.), we should still be able to help. Your bicycle accident claim will simply be submitted to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau instead.
You could still be eligible to make a cycling accident claim even if you were partially responsible, either for the accident itself or the severity of your resulting injuries. Two examples of this are if you were hit by a car but you weren’t wearing a helmet, or you forgot to signal your turning and were hit by a drunk driver.
You may also be entitled to claim for a loved one who died as a result of their accident. In such cases, legal action will need to be started within 3 years of their passing or the results of the post-mortem.
How to start a cycle accident claim
The first step to make a cycle injury claim is to contact our experts.
Even if you have reservations about making a claim – perhaps because your injuries are minor? Or you’ve been hurt badly and wish to focus on your recovery? It’s always worth getting in touch for a free consultation. We’ll never pressure you into a decision. We’ll just ask a few questions and, once we know a bit more about the circumstances of your accident, we’ll offer impartial advice on your eligibility to make a cycle accident claim and your chances of winning compensation.
It’s entirely up to you whether you go ahead. But if you do decide to take action, the process doesn’t have to be an uphill struggle. Our solicitors can subsequently begin proceedings for you – putting together the claim, submitting the necessary paperwork and taking care of all the legal aspects, whilst also supporting your rehabilitation.
For a confidential chat with our friendly advisors, give us a call on 0800 110 5888 at any time. Or if you have a question about bike accident claims and would like to find out more about how they work, fill out our online contact form and we will respond to your enquiry within 48 hours.
NO WIN
NO FEE!
Request your FREE consultation
How much cycling accident compensation could I receive?
The purpose of financial compensation is to help get you back to the position you were in before your cycle accident.
Cycle accident compensation claims are broken down into two components. These are:
General damages – Compensation for pain, suffering and loss of amenity as a result of your cycle accident injuries.
Special damages – Compensation for any financial losses you may have sustained as a result of your cycle accident. These could include loss of earnings and damage to your bicycle.
Until we investigate your case in detail, it’s difficult to say exactly how much cycle accident compensation you will be awarded. The final amount will depend on several factors, including:
- the circumstances of the incident
- the severity of the injuries
- the time it takes for you to recover
- loss of income
- additional financial expenses incurred as a result of the injury (e.g. medical costs)
What we can say, however, is that we have the knowledge and expertise required, to ensure you get the maximum level of compensation for your pain and suffering.
Our cycle accident solicitors will review your case on its own merits. By taking all the above factors into consideration and making sure we understand the full impact of the accident on your life, we’ll do everything in our power to ensure you’re recompensed fairly.
How long does a cycling accident claim take?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a simple answer to this question.
Every bike accident claim is unique and we’re usually unable to predict a specific timeframe. It can vary greatly from case to case and will depend on many factors, including the type and severity of the injuries, how long it takes to gather evidence, whether the defendant accepts liability and more.
Compensation is typically paid on a ‘full and final’ basis. So, we only ever recommend settling once the full extent of your pain and suffering is known. But thankfully, most cycle injury claims can be finalised outside of the courtroom – which significantly speeds things up – and ‘interim payments’ can often be arranged if you’re struggling financially throughout the legal process.
For more information on cycling accident claims, be sure to read our blog ‘How long does it take to settle a personal injury claim?’. Or, if you prefer, you’re welcome to give us a call on 0800 110 5888.
Can I claim if I’m partially responsible for my cycling accident?
Typically, yes. Even if your actions as a cyclist partly caused the accident – or worsened your injuries in some way – you should still be eligible to make a cycling accident claim. You’re just likely to receive a little less compensation.
For example, perhaps you forgot to signal correctly and were hit by a reckless driver? Or maybe a pothole knocked you off your bike when you weren’t wearing a helmet?
In both of these cases, you’re still entitled to take legal action against the other party. After all, it was the reckless driver that caused your injuries and the local authority’s fault that you hit a pothole. But your own actions also contributed to the accident. And this will be taken into consideration when your settlement is calculated.
You can rest assured though, whatever the circumstances of the incident – whether you were partially responsible or not – we will do everything we can to ensure you get a suitable amount of compensation through cycling accident claims for the pain and suffering experienced.
Will my cycle accident claim go to court?
We fully appreciate going to court can be stressful and overwhelming, particularly when you’re recovering from a serious accident. And just the thought can be enough to put you off taking legal action. But rest assured, it’s highly unlikely your cycle accident claim will reach the courtroom.
In fact, it’s actually very rare.
Hearings can be time-consuming and expensive for both parties. Therefore, they’re usually seen as a last resort – and only 5% of all personal injury claims are actually brought in front of a judge.
There are, of course, some exceptions to this rule. For example, if the defendant is slow to respond or has denied responsibility, court proceedings may then become necessary. But still, in these circumstances, we’ll continue to communicate (and negotiate) right up until the date of the trial. And even the most complex of cases are typically settled outside of court at the last minute.
Still feeling concerned? For tailored advice on the likelihood of your bicycle accident claim going to court, you’re more than welcome to get in touch. Just call 0800 110 5888 to chat with our specialists.
How much does it cost to make a cycle accident claim?
The cost of instructing a cycle accident solicitor can be concerning – especially as it comes at a time when you may be unable to work (due to your injuries) and struggling with day-to-day expenses.
But there’s no need to let money worries stop you from seeking financial justice.
Here at Injury Lawyers Direct, we offer a ‘no win no fee’ agreement for all cycling accident claims. If your case is successful, any costs incurred throughout the claiming process will be covered by your opponent – and a small fee for our help will be taken from your cycle accident compensation. If your case is unsuccessful, these costs will be covered by a legal insurance policy, which we take out specifically for this purpose.
You won’t be faced with any legal bills. There’s zero financial risk to you. And if you’ve suffered a cycle accident that wasn’t your fault, you have absolutely nothing to lose by taking legal action.
How much time do you have to make a claim after a cycle accident?
Under UK (England and Wales) law, there is a three year time limit on all personal injury claims, including cycle accident claims. This time period starts from the date of your cycle accident.
However, in certain circumstances, a court may grant an exception to this limitation period. An example of this would be if you were severely injured as a result of your cycle accident, to the extent that you were unable to make a claim.
You can start your cycle accident claim immediately after your accident if you wish. We recommend that you get in touch with our dedicated and supportive team as soon as possible if you feel ready to do so, as the details of the accident will still be fresh in your mind. This will enable our expert personal injury lawyers to provide strong, clear evidence when they submit your claim.
