If you’ve suffered injuries after a bike accident, you may wonder whether you can start a claim for compensation. All road users owe each other a duty of care and when this isn’t upheld, accidents can occur causing both minor and major injuries. If you have evidence of negligence from another road user causing you harm, you may have grounds to make a road traffic accident claim. We will explore what constitutes negligence in more detail throughout our guide.
Bike accident claims guide
We will also aim to answer the following questions such as:
- How common are bike accidents?
- How can I receive cycle accident compensation?
Additionally, we will provide examples of how cycling accidents can happen and the steps you can take to make a bicycle accident claim.
Furthermore, we will discuss the benefits of working with No Win No Fee solicitors and how they can help you build a strong case.
To learn more, please continue reading. Alternatively, you can contact our advisors using the following contact details with any questions you may have about your potential claim.
- Call 0161 696 9685
- Contact us online
- Use the live chat feature below.
Select A Section
- What are Bike Accident Claims?
- Calculating Bike Accident Compensation Payouts
- What Are The Most Common Bike Accidents?
- Who Pays Compensation For My Injuries?
- What Steps Can I Take When Seeking Compensation For A Bike Accident?
- Start Your Bike Accident Claim Today
What are Bike Accident Claims?
A bike accident can occur for multiple reasons. Some instances may involve issues with the cyclist, such as poor road awareness or cycling while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Other factors can include collisions with other vehicles or poor road conditions.
Road traffic accidents involving cyclists can cause injuries of varying severity. If you are wholly at fault for the accident that caused your injuries, it is unlikely that you will be able to make a claim. In order to seek cycle accident compensation, you must have evidence of a third party breaching their duty of care and subsequently causing you harm. This is known as negligence.
For more information on what you should do after a cycle accident, get in touch with our team. Alternatively, continue reading to learn more about the duty of care you’re owed as a road user.
How Many Biking Accidents Happen A Year?
The Department for Transport produced a report on pedal cycle casualties. As per this report, there were the following pedal casualties of all severities reported:
- 18,844 in 2015
- 18,477 in 2016
- 18,321 in 2017
- 17,550 in 2018
- 16,884 in 2019
- 16,294 in 2019
Calculating Bike Accident Compensation Payouts
When seeking compensation for physical and psychological injuries, you can receive general damages. This head of claim covers the pain and suffering you endured as a result of your injuries.
To calculate general damages, legal professionals use the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This document outlines compensation brackets for different injuries.
We’ve provided a table below using the information from the JCG. However, the figures are not necessarily a reflection of what you will receive. As such, you should only use the figures as a guide.
| Injury | Compensation Bracket (Guideline) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Back Injury (a) (i) | £91,090 - £160,980 | The most serious injuries involve damage to the spinal cord causing a combination of consequences that are serious and not normally found in back injury cases. |
| Severe Back Injury (a) (ii) | £74,160 - £88,430 | This bracket includes cases that have special features. These can include a damaged nerve root with other problems such as impaired mobility and effects on bladder and bowel function. |
| Severe Neck Injury (a) (i) | In the region of £148,330 | Despite wearing a collar permanently for a period of years, the person still has little or no movement in the neck and experiences severe headaches. |
| Severe Neck Injury (a) (ii) | £65,740 - £130,930 | Serious fractures or disc damage in the cervical spine that cause disabilities that are considerably severe. |
| Very Severe Ankle Injury (a) | £50,060 - £69,700 | Injuries such as a transmalleolar fracture of the ankle with soft tissue damage that is extensive. |
| Moderate Ankle Injury (c) | £13,740 - £26,590 | Less serious disabilities are caused by ligamentous tears and fractures and other similar injuries. |
| Wrist Injury (a) | £47,620 - £59,860 | Function in the wrist is completely lost. |
| Wrist Injury (c) | £12,590 - £24,500 | Injuries are less severe though persisting pain and stiffness remain. |
| Less Severe Brain Damage (d) | £15,320 to £43,060 | The person will have made a good recovery and can partake in a normal social life as well as return to work. |
| Less Serious Leg Injury (c) (ii) | £9,110 to £14,080 | A simple femur fracture with no articular surface damage. |
You could also be awarded special damages as part of your bike accident claim settlement. This includes any financial losses you suffer as a result of your injuries, such as:
- Loss of earnings
- Medical bills
- Care costs
In order to claim special damages, you must provide evidence, such as invoices, bank statements, and receipts.
Contact our advisors today if you need more information about the compensation you could be awarded following a successful claim.
What Are The Most Common Bike Accidents?
A bike accident could occur for several reasons. They can involve different road users, such as cars, lorries, motorcyclists and pedestrians. Examples of bike accidents include:
- Car dooring accidents, where a driver opens their car door onto an oncoming cyclist.
- Head-on impacts where the cyclist is knocked off the bike after a collision with the bonnet of a car.
- Merging accidents when a motorist changes lanes on roundabouts without checking their mirrors, resulting in a side collision with a cyclist.
If you have experienced harm due to another road users negligence, call us to find out how to make a claim after a car accident as a cyclist.
Who Pays Compensation For My Injuries?
The Road Traffic Act 1988 states that road users have a duty of care to keep themselves and others safe while on the road. The Highway Code also provides guidance and rules for different road users. The rules are backed elsewhere in law.
Additionally, as per Rule 204 of the Highway Code, certain road users require extra protection, including cyclists. If the duty of care you are owed is breached by another road user and you are caused harm as a result, you may be able to seek compensation.
However, it’s important to determine who is at fault for a cycling accident. The party you would claim against could differ depending on the type of accident. Examples of who you could claim against can include:
- The at fault driver of the vehicle that was involved in the accident through their insurance.
- The Motor Insurers’ Bureau if the diver is not insured or unknown. This option is common for hit and run accidents.
- Your local authority, if the accident was caused due to damage on certain roads, such as potholes, or other similar issues.
Please keep in mind that in order to make a bike accident claim, you must prove that the duty of care you were owed was breached and you experienced physical or psychological harm as a result. Call us to find out more.
What Steps Can I Take When Seeking Compensation For A Bike Accident?
There are several steps you could take after a bike accident. For example, you may find it beneficial to seek medical attention. This can ensure you receive treatment for your injuries and a diagnosis. You can provide your medical records as evidence to support your claim.
You could also collect other evidence, such as:
- CCTV or dashcam footage
- The contact details of any witnesses so a statement can be taken at a later date
- Photographs of the scene of the accident and of your injuries
Additionally, you must be within the time limit in order to start a claim. The Limitation Act 1980 states that you must start your claim within three years. This could start from the date of the accident or the date you connected your injuries with negligence. There are some exceptions to these circumstances, which our advisors can discuss with you.
Start Your Bike Accident Claim Today
To discuss whether you’re eligible to start a bike accident claim, you can get in touch with our team of advisors. They are available 24/7 to answer any questions regarding your potential claim. You can reach them by:
- Calling 0161 696 9685
- Filling in our online contact form
- Using the live chat feature below.
How No Win No Fee Solicitors Could Help You
If wish to hire a solicitor to represent your bike accident claim, but are concerned about the costs of their services, you may find it beneficial to work with a solicitor from our panel. They can offer their services under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) which is a type of No Win No Fee arrangement.
This typically allows you access their services without paying upfront, while the claim is ongoing or if the claim fails. If your claim is a success, you will need to pay a success fee from your compensation. This is subject to a legal cap.
For more information on how a No Win No Fee solicitor from our panel could help, get in touch on the number above.
Learn More About Bike Accident Claims
We’ve included some resources below that may be of use to you:
- GOV – Reported road accidents, vehicles and casualties for Great Britain
- GOV – Compensation after an accident or injury
- NHS – First Aid
You can also find more of our guides below:
- Can I claim compensation for cycling without a helmet?
- £52,000 compensation payout for a back injury caused by a car accident
- How do you prove you have whiplash
- If you’re looking for help and guidance on cycling accident compensation claims, you can learn more here. You can find examples of bike accident claim payouts and the evidence used to prove a personal injury claim of this nature.
If you have any further questions about the steps you can take to seek a settlement for a bike accident, please don’t hesitate to call our advisors.
Page by AN
Published by NL