Cyclists are one of the most vulnerable road users in the UK. When a cyclist is knocked off their bike, they can experience serious injuries and extensive damage to their bike.
Your number one priority should always be your personal safety. If your injuries are serious, call an ambulance straight away. If you are able to and it is safe to do so move to the side of the road or pavement, out of the way of oncoming traffic.
Even if your injuries seem minor it is always worth getting yourself checked out by visiting your GP or attending a walk-in centre. Some injuries may be internal and not visible to the naked eye.
Take down the name, address and the vehicle registration (if applicable) of the third party involved in the incident. It is also worth noting the make and model of the vehicle – if possible, take photos.
If you were hit by a taxi or bus, make note of the name of the taxi firm or bus company.
Ask any witnesses who were seen at/present at the scene of the accident for their contact details if they are willing to give evidence. Witness statements may be used by the police, your insurance provider or personal injury solicitor if you decide to make a claim.
Photos and video footage from the scene of the accident can be used as vital evidence in supporting your claim. It is recommended to get photographs or video evidence of the following:
All road traffic accidents should be reported to the police within 24 hours of the incident happening.
If the incident involved another vehicle it is important to get the motorists insurance details. At this stage, do not admit liability or accept any offer from them to personally pay for any of the damages caused. It is likely that their insurance company will contact you to make you an early settlement offer. Although this may be tempting to accept, insurers’ offers are often significantly lower than what you could be entitled to. It is therefore always worth seeking legal advice from a personal injury solicitor first.
Take photos of damaged personal property which may include your:
If you would like to claim for the above damages you will need to provide receipts as proof of purchase.
Contact a solicitor to assess your claim. They will ask you a series of questions to establish who was at fault for the accident and if they believe that you have a valid case, they will explain their terms of service. You can then decide to instruct them as your solicitor or not.
True Solicitors are experienced in handling cycling accident claims and are committed to getting our clients the maximum amount of compensation in the shortest time possible.
Your cycling claim is made either against the person or organisation responsible for causing the accident. For example, if you were knocked off your bike by someone who was driving during their working day i.e. a taxi driver or delivery driver, their employer is indirectly liable.
Can I make a claim if I was partly to blame for causing the cycling accident?
You can still claim compensation even if you were partly to blame for causing the accident, it may however mean that you will receive a reduced settlement amount. For example, if you signalled the wrong way, which led to a car colliding with you, you would be partly to blame.
It is still possible to pursue a claim if you were knocked off your bike in a hit and run scenario. If it’s not possible to trace the driver involved, or if it involved an uninsured driver, we can help you to make a claim through the Motor Insurer’s Bureau (MIB). This is a fund that all insurance companies pay into on an annual basis to compensate the victims of uninsured or unknown drivers.
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