Cycling Accident Claims

Cycling is not without its risks and unfortunately, cyclists are particularly vulnerable road users.

If you are knocked off your bicycle or a driver collides into you because they are not paying enough attention or failing to give you enough room, the consequences can be extremely serious.

Cycling accidents, even at a low speed, can result in severe, life-changing injuries, or fatalities.

According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA), nearly 17,000 cyclists are killed or seriously injured in the UK every year.  Sadly, that number is likely to be even greater because not all cycling accidents are reported to the police.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a cycling accident that wasn’t your fault, it is vital you speak to a specialist personal injury solicitor with expertise in cycling accident compensation claims. This ensures you receive the best medical treatment, rehabilitation and support available, and secure maximum compensation.

Our team of cycling accident lawyers only represent injured cyclists – we never act on behalf of insurance companies.

We specialise in serious cycling accidents involving:

• Brain and head injuries
• Spinal injuries
• Amputation and loss of limbs
• Broken bones and fractures
• Fatal injuries
• Nerve injuries
• Sports accident

We have many years of experience helping cyclists and their families secure cycling accident compensation. Our team has the knowledge and expertise to give you the specialist cycling injury claim support you need.

Expertise with Cycling Accident Claims

Our expert cycling accident lawyers have extensive experience helping cyclists who have suffered life-changing injuries in serious accidents. We can also help if you have tragically lost a loved one in a fatal cycling accident.

If you’ve been involved in a crash, you need expert advice and support throughout the legal process. We can deal with insurance companies and the police and will help you every step of the way during your compensation claim.

We have a strong track record securing maximum compensation and the best possible medical treatment, rehabilitation, care, and support for those seriously injured in cycling accidents.

Novum Law can help secure interim payments during your claim before the final settlement is agreed to pay for additional private medical care and vital rehabilitation, including physiotherapy or occupational therapy.  We want to help you rebuild your life and provide the security for the future that you deserve.

We offer No Win No Fee funding which means there is no financial risk to you and no hidden, unexpected costs. In the highly unlikely event, your cycling injury claim is unsuccessful you will not have to pay anything. Click here to find out more information about No Win No Fee.

Book a free initial consultation with our expert cycling accident solicitors

We provide specialist cycling legal support nationwide across England and Wales. If you or a loved one has suffered due to a cycling accident, our specialist solicitors are on hand to advise you on your next steps. To book a free, no obligation chat with us, call 0345 357 9645, email customersupport@simpsonmillar.co.uk or complete our online enquiry form.

How cycling accident compensation can help

We know how devastating it can be if you are hit by another road user while out cycling. If you or a family member has suffered severe injuries in a bike accident, the thought of speaking to a solicitor can seem daunting.

But our specialist cycling accident solicitors will work hard on your behalf to get you the justice you deserve, including access to the best treatment and rehabilitation, so you can get on with your life.

The amount of cycling accident compensation you might receive depends on the severity of your injuries and the financial impact of your crash – for example, any loss of earnings, medical expenses and travel costs will be considered.

Your cycling accident claim can help with:

• Private medical treatment
• Rehabilitation and specialist therapy
• Any necessary home and vehicle adaptations
• Specialist equipment
• Costs of care and household assistance
• Loss of earnings (including future loss of earnings) and pension
• Repair or replacement of your bicycle
• Travel expenses for hospital appointments

How making a cycling injury claim works

Book a free initial consultation with our expert cycling accident lawyers

If you would like to claim compensation for a cycling accident, get in touch with our expert lawyers for a FREE initial consultation.

Our specialist team has vast experience providing legal advice and support for injured cyclists and will ensure you get the best possible outcome.

We will listen to what happened to you and will work out if you will be able to make a successful cycling injury claim.

To book a free, no-obligation chat with us, call 0345 357 9645, email customersupport@simpsonmillar.co.uk or complete our online enquiry form.

No Win No Fee cycling compensation claims

We offer No Win No Fee funding, which means there is no financial risk to you or any hidden, unexpected costs. In the highly unlikely event, your cycling injury claim is unsuccessful, you will not have to pay any money. Find out more information about No Win No Fee.

Investigating your cycling injury claim

Our expert solicitors will investigate your claim thoroughly and gather the evidence needed to build a strong case for your cycling injury claim.

We will obtain the documents and witness evidence needed to help prove you have a viable compensation claim. This may include obtaining evidence from different sources such as witnesses to your accident and dashcam footage or CCTV if it’s available.

We will arrange an appointment for you with an independent medical expert to assess the severity of your injuries, how long it may take for you to recover, and to identify any ongoing rehabilitation or care and support you need. This medical report is a crucial part of your cycling accident compensation claim.

Our cycling injury solicitors will aim to secure maximum compensation for you as quickly as possible. If you need private medical treatment or rehabilitation, we can arrange for you to have the best possible therapy and care as part of your claim before a final settlement is reached by obtaining interim payments from the defendant’s insurers.

Working out how much cycling accident compensation you deserve

The value of your cycling injury claim is calculated using several factors, including:

• General damages (also known as pain, suffering and loss of amenity) – the severity and extent of your injuries and the impact on the quality of your day-to-day life.
• Special damages – the financial cost including any loss of earnings, any medication and treatment expenses, rehabilitation costs, travel expenses to hospital appointments, necessary house adaptations such as wheelchair accessibility, changes to bathrooms and toilets, and any specialist equipment needed.

Find out more about how we calculate compensation.

Time limits for cycling accident claims

In most cases, you must make your compensation claim within three years of your cycling accident. However, there are some exceptions to this rule, so it is vital to speak to a specialist solicitor for legal advice as soon as possible.

If you have any questions about time limits, you can call us on Freephone 0345 357 9645 or email customersupport@simpsonmillar.co.uk.

Settling your cycling accident claim out of court

Going to court is usually the last resort in cycling injury claims and most compensation claims settle out of court. However, if no agreement can be reached on who is to blame for your cycling accident, or the amount of compensation is in dispute, then it may be necessary to settle your case in court in front of a judge. If this happens, you are in safe hands, our expert cycling accident lawyers will support you and your family throughout the process.

Taking your cycling injury claim to court

If our lawyers need to issue court proceedings, (for example, because no settlement agreement is reached informally between the defendant and yourself), we will guide you through the process and ensure you understand what is happening every step of the way.

In most cycling accident cases the claim will settle before trial. However, for the small number that does not, there is nothing to worry about. We will instruct a specialist barrister to represent you at the final hearing, and one of our expert cycling accident lawyers will be with you to support you on the day.

Frequently Asked Questions about cycling accident claims

What are the most common causes of bicycle accidents?

 Like motorcycle accidents, it is often other road users who are to blame for collisions involving cyclists. For example, the most common causes of bicycle accidents that our solicitors deal with are when drivers:

• Do not pay sufficient attention and fail to spot a cyclist (particularly at road junctions)
• Do not leave enough distance when overtaking or manoeuvring
• Drive too fast

Other causes of cycling accidents include:

• Inadequate road surface maintenance involving road defects such as potholes, cracks, uneven patches, and subsidence
• Poor road junction design
• Cycling too fast for the conditions or too close to other road users
• Colliding with pedestrians
• Collisions with other road users at junctions or traffic lights
• Summer/winter clock change

Can I make a claim if my cycling accident was caused by a pothole or road defect?

Yes, under the Highways Act 1980, the relevant highway authority has a statutory duty to maintain the roads in their area. This means that generally a County Council (or local authority) will have responsibility to maintain the roads in their regional area. So if you are involved in a cycling accident involving a pothole or there is something wrong with the road or cycle lane you are using, you may be able to make a cycling compensation claim with the help of a specialist solicitor.

What are the most common cycling injuries?

Cyclists are particularly vulnerable to injuries in accidents. There is a range of injuries that can be sustained in bicycle accidents, from minor issues that can easily be recovered from, to more serious, life-changing injuries and sometimes, even fatal injuries.

Common cycling injuries include:

• Head and brain injuries
• Broken bones and fractures
• Cuts, scrapes, and bruises including ‘road rash’ (caused by friction on the road surface)
• Muscular damage and other soft tissue injuries
• Knee injuries and joint dislocations
• Neck or spinal cord injuries (SCI)
• Amputation and loss of limbs
• Psychological upset or trauma, like PTSD
• Fatal injuries

Can I make a cycling compensation claim if I’ve been in a hit and run accident?

Yes, if your cycling accident was caused by a hit and run driver who left the scene of the accident, you may still be able to make a compensation claim. Our team of specialist cycling solicitors can help you make a compensation claim which will be paid by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) which has funds available to help victims of unknown or uninsured drivers.

How long will it take to receive cycling accident compensation?

Every cycling accident claim is different, so it is difficult to provide an exact time. Some cycling claims will take longer than others. Often it depends on the severity of your injuries and your recovery time following an injury. However, our expert team of specialist cycling lawyers will aim to settle your claim as quickly as possible.

Can I still make a claim if a family member dies in a cycling accident?

Yes, if your loved one has sadly died in a cycling accident and someone else was to blame, you may be able to make a compensation claim on behalf of their estate. Find out more about fatal injury claims.

I’m not happy with my law firm. Can you take over from my current solicitor?

If your current law firm is not giving you the service and support you need during your cycling accident compensation claim, you are entitled to change solicitors.

Do you have a question we have not answered?

If you have a question that is not listed above, please visit our FAQs page. Alternatively, please get in touch, and we will be happy to answer your query.

Please book your free initial consultation with our cycling accident solicitors

If you or a loved one has been injured in a cycling accident that wasn’t their fault, our expert solicitors are here to help. To start the process of making your compensation claim, contact us on Freephone 0345 357 9645 or email customersupport@simpsonmillar.co.uk or complete online form for a free, no-obligation chat.