Bike accident compensation will typically include an award for physical and mental pain and suffering (general damages), as well as an award for any financial losses such as loss of earnings and travel expenses (special damages). Your compensation amount will depend on multiple factors, such as the severity of your injuries, your prognosis, the effect on your daily activities and any contributory negligence towards the accident. In essence, you will demonstrate that another party was negligent, resulting in your injuries; you will also have up to 3 years to start your claim. One of our expert No Win No Fee solicitors can help start and guide you through the claims process.
You may therefore be wondering about the process for cycling accident claims and whether you could start one. Road traffic injuries can be extremely stressful and impact your ability to carry out daily activities. Compensation awards can help claimants recover their losses and move forward with their lives after such a traumatic event. This guide will examine the eligibility criteria and explain how not wearing a helmet could impact your personal injury claim. Additionally, we describe common causes of cycling accidents and the injuries that could arise.
Furthermore, you can read advice about what to do when you experience a cycling accident and how compensation is calculated. Finally, we explain how to claim on behalf of a child and outline the expert services our specialist solicitors can offer you. You can also contact an advisor to discuss the details of your case. They will let you know if you can proceed with a No Win No Fee solicitor from Advice. You could receive cycling accident compensation at the end of the process, so reach out today to potentially get your claim started:
- Call our telephone line on 0161 509 2856
- Use the pop-up chat window on this page
- Contact us by filling out our online form
Browse Our Guide
- Can I Claim After A Bicycle Accident?
- Can I Claim Cycling Compensation If I Wasn’t Wearing A Helmet?
- Common Causes Of Cycling Accidents
- What Injuries Can A Cycling Accident Cause?
- What Should You Do After A Bike Accident?
- How Much Compensation Could You Get From A Cycling Accident Claim?
- My Child Was Injured On Their Bike, Can I Claim?
- Making No Win No Fee Cycling Accident Claims With An Expert Solicitor
- More Information
Can I Claim After A Bicycle Accident?
Yes, you could make cycling accident claims provided that you meet the eligibility criteria. This requires you to show:
- A road used owed you a duty of care
- They failed to uphold their duty to you
- This resulted in your suffering a bicycle accident injury
All people using the road owe a duty of care to each other. Therefore, they must follow road laws and guidance, such as the Road Traffic Act 1988 and the Highway Code, to protect other road users. If another road user has caused you harm by not following these rules, you could be able to claim compensation for your cycling injuries.
What Happens If My Cycling Accident Was Caused By An Uninsured Or Untraceable Driver?
Sometimes, a cycling accident may involve an uninsured driver or a driver who cannot be traced. In such cases you still be able to make a claim through the Motor Insurance Bureau (MIB). This organisation provides compensation payouts for claims against drivers who are uninsured or untraceable. Typically, the insurer covers any compensation owed, so this route allows victims a different route to claim.
If eligible, our personal injury solicitors can help you claim personal injury compensation through the MIB. You can contact our advisors if you would like free advice about how to make a claim under such circumstances.
Can I Claim Cycling Compensation If I Wasn’t Wearing A Helmet?
Contributory negligence is a term used to refer to cases where the injured person’s actions may have contributed to the severity of the injury. If you suffered a head injury as part of your cycling accident but chose not to wear a helmet, the defending party could argue that this decision made your injury worse.
You are still able to claim for a cycling accident in such cases. However, contributory negligence can impact the amount of personal injury compensation that you receive. Contact our advisors if you would like to discuss the specifics of your case.
Common Causes Of Cycling Accidents
You may suffer a bicycle accident from the following examples:
- A driver pulls out at a junction without looking, causing them to knock you off your bike. You suffer a broken leg.
- A motorcyclist drives while over the limit for alcohol consumption. They lose control of their motorcycle and crash into you. You fall off your bike and land face-first on the ground, resulting in a broken jaw.
- A driver does not stop at a red light, meaning they crash into you. You are knocked off your bike and experience a spinal cord injury.
How Common Are Cycling Accidents?
According to statistics from the Department for Transport, common causes of pedal cyclist accidents between 2019 to 2023 include:
- 2,557 incidents caused by a driver/rider failing to look properly
- 1,154 incidents resulting from a driver/rider failing to judge another person’s speed or path
- 961 incidents where the driver/rider was reckless, careless or in a hurry
- 260 incidents caused by travelling too fast for the conditions
- 241 incidents caused by a driver/rider being impaired by alcohol
Not all incidents give rise to cycling accident claims. However, you can claim for incidents caused by another person’s negligent actions. This is not an exhaustive list, so you can speak to one of our advisors if your cyclist accident was not included.
What Injuries Can A Cycling Accident Cause?
You could suffer many types of injuries due to a cycling accident. These include:
- Broken or fractured bones
- Nerve damage
- Soft tissue injuries
- Injuries to internal organs
- Bruises, lacerations and cuts
- Road rash
If we did not include your cycling injury, do not worry. Contact an advisor today to find out if you can start a claim for compensation.
What Should You Do After A Bike Accident?
If you have experienced a cycling accident, we recommend that you follow these steps:
- If possible, move yourself to a safe area, such as the pavement
- Check if anyone else has been injured and move them to a safe place if you are able to
- Call an ambulance if required
- Exchange contact and registration details with the other rider/driver
- Take photos of the accident, showing injuries sustained and the positioning of your bicycle and the other person’s vehicle.
- Ask witnesses for their contact details
- Report the incident to the police
- Contact your insurer
- Contact a solicitor
You can get in touch with our advisors for further help. You may not have been able to follow all of these steps at the time of the incident, so an advisor can help determine whether you have sufficient information to start a claim for compensation.
How Much Compensation Could You Get From A Cycling Accident Claim?
The first head of claim that you can receive compensation for is referred to as general damages. These cover the pain and suffering relating to your injury.
The Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) provide figures for assessing general damages in cycling accident claims. The figures combine the types and severities of injuries with a suggested compensation amount. This does not provide a guarantee for the amount of compensation that you could receive. Therefore, you should only use the information that we have listed as a guide for your reference.
The JCG did not provide the first figure for this list.
- For multiple injuries with financial impact, the compensation could be up to £1,000,000+
- In cases of very severe head or brain injuries, a claimant could receive between £344,150 to £493,000. Such injuries involve little ability to respond to the environment and the need for full-time care
- Less severe brain or head injuries could receive compensation between £18,700 to £52,550. The injured person will have made a good recovery with the persistence of some issues that could interfere with their daily life
- Serious kidney injuries could entitle a claimant to between £206,730 to £256,780. These involve loss of or permanent damage to both kidneys.
- Bowel injuries resulting in total loss of natural function with other related medical conditions could receive up to £224,790.
- Above-knee amputation of one leg could be awarded between £127,930 to £167,760.
- Severe (iii) back injuries could entitle you to between £47,320 to £85,100. Cases include injuries to spinal discs or soft injuries with severe pain and discomfort.
- Moderate (i) injuries to the pelvis and hips could result in compensation payouts between £32,450 to £47,810. These are significant injuries without permanent disability.
- A fractured jaw with very serious multiple fractures would be valued between £37,210 to £55,570. The claimant may have severe pain and difficulties when eating.
- Injuries to the shoulder that are severe could be worth between £23,430 to £58,610. These result in significant disability and are often paired with neck injuries
Compensation depends upon the level of amputation and pain, amongst other factors.
Special Damages In Cycling Accident Claims
You could also be able to claim special damages. These cover costs for:
- Adjustments made to your home
- Lost income of earnings
- Medical expenses
- Travel to/from medical appointments
All cycling accident claims need to be assessed on an individual basis. This is because the unique circumstances of the claim influence the amount of compensation the claimant is entitled to. We recommend that you contact our advisors for a free case assessment. They can provide a more accurate estimate of your potential compensation. By discussing your case in detail, they can confirm the various factors that your compensation could account for.
My Child Was Injured On Their Bike, Can I Claim?
If your child was injured in a bicycle accident, you may be able to claim on their behalf. In such a case, you would be referred to as a litigation friend. You can apply to be a litigation friend, and the court can appoint you. Once your child reaches the age of eighteen, they can represent themselves.
Making No Win No Fee Cycling Accident Claims With An Expert Solicitor
A specialist cycling accident solicitor from Advice could help you with your bicycle accident claim. They offer great services to help with eligible claims for compensation, such as:
- Negotiating the settlement of compensation to cover all general and special damages
- Communicating with the defending party on your behalf
- Aiding your understanding of legal jargon and processes
- Checking that all the necessary paperwork is complete
- Filing your claim within the necessary time limit
Additionally, they can offer to work for you under a No Win No Fee contract, namely a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This is an excellent way to proceed if you are worried about the costs associated with legal representation, as you would not need to pay for your solicitor’s work:
- Before your claim begins
- While your claim is proceeding
- On the condition that your claim is unsuccessful
If you do receive bicycle accident compensation, you will need to pay a success fee. However, you do not need to worry about this payment. There is a legal cap on the percentage your solicitor can deduct. This ensures that most of the compensation stays in your hands.
Get In Touch Today
You can contact our advisors with your queries at any time. Their advice is offered free of charge, so you have nothing to lose by enquiring. They could relay your bicycle accident claim to our No Win No Fee cycling accident solicitors, bringing you one step closer towards gaining compensation:
- Call our telephone line on 0161 509 2856
- Use the pop-up chat window on this page
- Complete our online contact form
More Information
Other useful guides:
- Read our guide on what you should do after an injury due to a car accident
- Learn about claiming for whiplash
- Find out how to claim as a pedestrian
- Explore more about road traffic accident claims
Further resources:
- Read the NHS guidance on first aid
- Check out guidance for cyclists from THINK!
- Review government advice on claiming Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
Thank you for reading our guide on cycling accident claims.
