Cyclist Accident

Cyclist Accident Claims: What do you need to know?

Cyclist accident claims are there to protect you if you are the victim of a road traffic collision whilst riding your bike. Bikes are classified as vulnerable vehicles, therefore it’s essential that other vehicles are aware of your presence on the road. Unfortunately, not all drivers are going to be patient with you and give you the space you need to travel safely on the road. If you do encounter one of these drivers, it’s possible that you may get involved in a road traffic accident (RTA).

These types of accidents can leave bike riders with severe wounds and injuries that can take years to heal. That’s why it’s crucial that you meet with a solicitor to discuss how you are going to make a compensation claim.

Solicitors On Your Side are here to support you throughout any cyclist accident claims. Our experienced lawyers know how to get you the highest compensation possible. They can fill out any difficult paperwork about your RTA and speak to the other party on your behalf. Learn more about how you can make a bike accident claim by calling 0330 912 2124 or by visiting our website.

How could I get hurt from a Cycling Accident?

As a cyclist, it’s important that you take precautions to make sure that you are safe when you go out on the road. This can include wearing high visibility clothing, wearing a helmet, using your bell to alert other vehicles to your presence and moving away from aggressive drivers. The UK government has actively encouraged people to use their bikes as commuting transport, so it’s very likely you are going to meet other cyclists on the road.

Although using a bike as a vehicle can have its benefits, such as its speed, it also comes with its downsides. As a bike is a much smaller vehicle compared to cars, vans, trucks and public transport, it makes it more likely that you will not be seen by other drivers. Due to your visibility being reduced, there is a higher chance that you could be hurt in an RTA. These accidents include:

  • Hit and run accidents
  • Being “doored”
  • A collision due to speeding drivers
  • Aggressive driver collisions
  • Distracted driver collisions
  • Falling off bike
  • The disrepair of roads (i.e. potholes)

If you have suffered from any of these accidents, you could be eligible for making a claim! That’s why it’s crucial that you get in touch with a solicitor about cyclist accident claims as soon as possible.

What sort of injuries can I make cyclist accident claims for?

Your injuries sustained from a cycling accident depend on the severity of the RTA itself. When you decide to make a compensation claim, the extent of your pay-out will depend on your “damages”. Now, a driver has a “duty of care” towards other people on the road. If they cause a cyclist (or any other type of driver) to get hurt, and do not take reasonable precautions to avoid an accident, they could owe you compensation for your damages.

The most common type of damages are physical damages, however, your compensation could increase if you have also suffered from emotional, financial, or technological damages and losses of opportunity. You will need to talk these through with your lawyer to see if they could increase your pay-out. For now, let’s focus on physical damages.

Physical damages include internal and external injuries to your body. Some examples of cyclist injuries could include:

  • Broken Bones
  • Internal Bleeding
  • Loss of eyesight or hearing
  • Head trauma
  • Cuts and bruises
  • Crushed limbs
  • Damage to organs

Remember, if you have been involved in a cyclist accident, and you have suffered from severe injuries, call for an ambulance as quickly as possible. That way you can get medical help and the healing process can begin.

Who can I make cyclist accident claims against?

It’s important to understand that when you are on the road, you are responsible for your own safety. Just like any other vehicle you have a “duty of care” for those who are travelling. That’s why it’s important not to take risks and be cautious when you are cycling. You should not try and cut corners or speed ahead, especially if there are traffic signals ahead. It’s important that you obey the rules of the road, just like other road users are expected to do.

With that said, if you have suffered from any type of bike accident at the hands of another driver, you could make a claim against them. This includes drivers of cars, lorries, vans, public transport, motorcycles and other bike owners. The only people you won’t be able to make a claim against are pedestrians. That is because they do not have insurance and will be unable to afford the pay-out needed to compensate you for your injuries.

What should I do if I have been involved in a cyclist accident?

Now that we have talked about cyclist accident claims, it’s important that you understand what to do if you are ever involved in a collision. That way when it comes to making a claim, you will be able to build a strong RTA case with the help of a solicitor from Solicitors On Your Side.

Let’s say that you have been involved in a collision with a car owner. The first thing you need to do, if you have not been severely hurt and require medical attention, is getting the insurance details, registration information and contact details from the other party involved. Keep in mind that the first thing you should be thinking about is your health. If you have been severely hurt, please focus on getting medical help. Should there be any pedestrians around, you can ask them to help you contact an ambulance.

With that said, if you can start collecting evidence from the scene of the accident, that will help your solicitor when they start to work on your bike accident claim case. Evidence can be collected after the accident has taken place. Here are some examples of evidence that you can use to back up your claim:

  • Photographs
  • Videos/CCTV/ Dash-Cam footage
  • Witness statements
  • Diary entries
  • Receipts
  • Medical records
  • Police records
  • Correspondence with the other party

From there, you can contact a solicitor to take on your case and start working towards a settlement agreement with the other party and their insurer. If they refuse the agreement then the case can be taken to court to be decided on by a judge.

How much could I claim from Cyclist Accident Claims?

As a law firm, it’s our aim to get you the highest amount of compensation possible from cyclist accident claims. However, it is important that you understand that the amount you receive depends on a number of factors. This includes the extent of your injuries, your evidence and the cooperation of the other party. The more severe your damages, the higher the amount you will receive.

To receive an estimate about how much you could be owed, it’s best to speak to an experienced RTA solicitor. That way you can decide for yourself whether or not you think it is worth making a claim.

How long will it take to make a bike accident claim?

Again, this type of question depends on the complexity of your case. If your case is complicated, it is likely that it will take more time to come to a conclusion. You will have 3 years from when your accident happened to make a claim. So, make sure to get in contact as quickly as possible. That way your solicitor can work with you to get the pay-out that you deserve.

How do I get started on making a cyclist accident claim?

If you have been hurt in an RTA, it’s essential that you get a supportive legal expert on your side to help you get compensated for your damages. That’s where you need Solicitors On Your Side who can step in to support. Not only can they provide you with free advice and consultations to get you started if you decide to work with our claims team, but they can also give work with you on a “no win-no fee” basis.

That means you will not need to pay any hidden fees. Instead, you will only need to pay our solicitors if they win your case. So, you will always end up coming out on top.

Contact Solicitors On Your Side today about cyclist accident claims. You can call us on 0330 912 2124, email us at [email protected] or by using our LiveChat messenger on the website. One of our specialists will then be in touch to talk you through your claim and how you can get started.

Learn more about RTA claims

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