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If you have been injured in a cycling accident that wasn’t your fault, you could be entitled to compensation and support, speak to our specialist claims solicitors on 01616 966 229 or complete our online enquiry form and we will contact you directly.
With rising fuel costs and increasing environmental concerns, cycling is becoming a more popular mode of transport. This does however mean the number of accidents involving cyclists is increasing. Another important factor are that the nation’s roads are falling into increasing levels of disrepair with potholes, which can be the cause of accidents.
Cyclists are vulnerable road users and have less protection on the road than motorists. Claims pursued by cyclists are often vigorously defended on such grounds as failing to wear appropriate protective clothing or a cycle helmet which is particularly an issue if a head injury has been sustained when compensation for a head injury can be reduced.
When cyclists are involved in accidents, all too often we see significant injuries being sustained which requires the involvement of a specialist team to pursue your claim on your behalf to assist with organising rehabilitation, having knowledge of superior models of bicycle to assist with recovery of financial losses. Members of our team are cyclists themselves, so have a breadth of knowledge and cycling experience to assist in the unfortunate event you are involved in an accident as a cyclist.
The first thing you should do is make sure you are in a safe place and are ok - you should get checked over by a paramedic if it is a serious injury.
If you are well enough after the accident it is important to make sure you gain as much detail as you can of the people involved. For example: the drivers name, vehicle registration number, model of the vehicle, address, phone number, insurance company and a policy number. If there are any witnesses try to get at least their name, address and phone number.
If you are taken straight to hospital the police will do this and as soon as you feel well enough you should get in contact with a solicitor.
Being in an accident can hugely affect your life. If like a lot of our clients you have been badly injured, gaining the compensation you deserve can make a big difference. Making a claim can help to restore some of the damage caused by the accident: you could use the money to repair your bike or replace it, you can make up for money you have lost whilst being unable to work or it can help you to pay for any medication/ treatment you may need after the accident. Either way, you are equally as entitled as motorists to make a claim, if you are injured whilst cycling through no fault of your own.
Our expert solicitors will guide you through every stage of your accident to make sure you gain the compensation you deserve. Cycling accidents can be complicated and we aim to provide you with the quickest and most effective service whilst still achieving the maximum amount of compensation.
At Stephensons our solicitors are always happy to help and will make sure you are kept informed at all times. We understand that this can be a stressful process so we advise you come to a solicitor you can trust to get the job done.
You could be entitled to compensation for a bicycle accident that was not your fault. It all starts with one conversation, so if you have been injured in a cycle accident and you are not sure if you have grounds for a claim, call us on 01616 966 229.
Our client was cycling on his road bike when he was hit by a car which failed to give way whilst turning into a side street. Our client was knocked from his bike, onto the bonnet of the car, and onto the road, causing him to suffer multiple fractures to his ribs and a closed clavicle fracture, as well as other soft tissue injuries. He required ten weeks off work due to his symptoms and physiotherapy treatment. The total settlement agreed was £14,000.
According to studies undertaken by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, cycling accidents mainly occur in built up and urban areas, with most accidents (over 80%) happening in daylight. Over 90% of cycling accidents involving children and child cyclists happen during daylight hours with the study stating that peak commuting hours are the most dangerous for cyclists in general.
In a study carried out by the Department of Transport it was found that only a small proportion of accidents are the result of cyclists running red lights and missing stop signs. Contrary to popular belief, failure to wear high-visibility clothing and installing lights on a bike only contribute to a tiny proportion of accidents also.
In fact only 2% of accidents involving cyclists and other road users were attributed to running red lights, with 2.5% of accidents caused by cyclists failing to wear bright clothing.
A study taken by the City of Westminster Council found that 68% of collisions involving cyclists were caused by vehicle drivers. The same study also showed that 21% of all collisions were the result of drivers failing to look out for bikes.
Cycling accidents can happen any time and for a myriad of reasons but the major causes we see at Stephensons regard the following issues:
Some of the most dangerous types of collisions involving cyclists happen on or near a T-Junction, as well as roundabouts and traffic lights with data from the Department of Transport stating that over a quarter of deaths involving cyclists in 2005-07 were caused by vehicles running into the rear of a bike. This is a major issue in rural roads as this figure then rose to over a third according to research documenting rural accidents and as much as 40% away from junctions.
Police studies have shown that drivers are solely responsible in around 60-75% of all cases whereas riders were completely to blame in around 17-25%.
The expert solicitors at Stephensons handle many compensation claims involving cyclists, including those where an unobservant driver is at fault. The most typical cycle accident compensation claims we deal with also include:
If you have been injured in a cycle accident and you are not sure if you have grounds for a claim, call us on 01616 966 229 or complete our online enquiry form.
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If you have been injured in a cycling accident, there are a few very important things to remember. Our expert cycling accident solicitors have compiled a list of tips to ensure your safety and your chance of a successful compensation claim.
If you are injured in a cycling accident, insurers may try and contact you to settle your case at the earliest opportunity. Unfortunately these offers usually do not accurately reflect the damages sustained. Your bike may have been completely ruined and you may have been unable to work due to your injuries – your compensation claim should reflect this but insurers will usually offer a considerably lower settlement claim than they would should you seek legal advice.
Remember if you do accept your first offer from opportunist insurance companies this is regarded as a full and final settlement. To see if you have grounds for a claim call us on 01616 966 229 or complete our online enquiry form.
If you have been injured whilst riding your bike due to a pothole, you have an opportunity to make a claim for compensation.
Often a combination of vehicle override, water seepage followed by freezing conditions and thereafter thawing can make our roads hazardous for cyclists as potholes develop. Our solicitors understand that injuries of this nature can really disrupt a person’s life and bring uncertainty as to how to make a claim.
With reports that local authorities will need £12 billion pounds and 12 years to repair the current state of the roads it is not difficult to understand how incidents involving potholes account for an estimated 10 to 15% of all cycling accidents.
It is therefore important that cyclists take care to look ahead for any upcoming defects on the road and take avoidance measures whilst still maintaining awareness of surrounding motorists. The use of high visibility products and bike lights during the winter months is essential to staying safe on the roads.
Whilst local authorities may often suggest that they have met their duty to inspect and maintain the roads where you may have been injured, with recent cuts to public spending, this may not necessarily be the case in the eyes of the law. At Stephensons we have expert solicitors who are able to fully assess the merits of pothole accident claims.
If you have been injured as a result of a pothole on the road whilst cycling, there are a few things you will need to remember to increase your chances of a successful claim:
Cyclist compensation claims involving potholes are extremely complex, our specialist solicitors have the relevant experience in this field and can get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries. If you have been injured in a cycle accident call us on 01616 966 229 or complete our online enquiry form.
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We handle many cycling accident compensation claims here at Stephensons and understand how dangerous cycling in traffic can be. Thousands of cyclists are killed or injured on our roads each and every year, a sobering fact indeed. Yet if everyone, cyclists and vehicle users alike, followed some simple road safety rules, this figure could potentially be brought down dramatically.
Many people enjoy cycling and these figures are by no means meant to scare people away from enjoying a day out or their commute to work on a bike as thousands of cyclists traverse our roads every day without incident.
In the hope of reducing cycling accidents, the specialist road and cycling accident solicitors at Stephensons have created a list of helpful tips for cyclists.
Wear a helmet - although wearing a helmet is not mandatory, it does help save lives.
Make sure you stop at red lights - traffic lights are there for your safety. Make sure you stop or you could risk a fine, not to mention serious injury.
Always stay central whilst on narrow roads - by staying clear of the gutter and riding away from the side of the road you reduce the risk of being overtaken by surprise or at speed by other drivers. It’s a good idea to ride towards the middle of the lane.
Be careful when riding past parked cars - try and keep at least a doors width between yourself and any parked cars as you never know when a door might fly open.
Don’t dodge in and out of parked or slowly moving cars - try and travel in a straight line, you’re more visible to passengers and drivers this way.
Keep your distance from HGVs and Lorries - large trucks may have trouble seeing you if you are too close so keep well back.
Focus - make sure you focus on the road at all times and try to anticipate what other drivers might do.
Try and make eye contact with drivers - by making eye contact you make sure a driver has seen you and vice versa.
Don’t ride on pavements - unless this is a dedicated cycle path, don’t cycle on pavements. These should be clearly marked for cyclists.
Wear high visibility clothing - hi-vis jackets, vests and luminous strips all help draw attention to yourself and make it easier for drivers to see you in lowlight.
Signal - always use hand signals, don’t just pull out or turn unannounced. Signal whether you’re turning left or right.
Use night lights - you risk a fine if you don’t have night lights. They are invaluable safety measures that drivers can see easily.
Don’t use your phone - don’t text whilst riding as it is just as dangerous as when you are driving a car. Don’t listen to MP3 players either as they drown out background noise. You need to hear everything around you whether it’s someone shouting, a car horn or a speeding vehicle.
Cycle training - whether you’re a veteran on two wheels or looking to educate little ones about road safety whilst cycling, cycle training is a great idea. It helps to train you to keep alert and provides you with some great commuter skills.
Keep your bike roadworthy - by looking after your bike and making sure the handlebars are tight and brakes are working correctly you reduce the risk of something going wrong.
Use a bell - not all pedestrians can see you, so make sure you have a bell to signal to people that you are approaching.
Never undertake a vehicle - a car may not be signalling that they are turning, but they may turn without looking.
Riding a bike to work or cycling through a city centre can be a great way to get around, so stay aware and stay safe.
If you have been injured whilst cycling and you believe someone else is to blame, contact the expert road accident solicitors at Stephensons. We have a dedicated team of personal injury solicitors ready to help you make a claim and have the expertise you need to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Claims are handled on a no win, no fee basis, call us on 01616 966 229 or complete our online enquiry form for expert legal advice and get your compensation claim underway.
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