Cycling Accident Claims

At Osbornes Law we act for clients who have suffered serious and life changing injuries and for the families of those killed in cycling accidents in London and around the UK.

We have a dedicated cycling team staffed by experienced lawyers who are themselves cyclists and who are committed members of the London cycling community.

So we understand the issues that arise in cycling cases.  That might be the law on close passing, helmet wearing, filtering, dooring or hooking; it might be lorry vision regulations or infrastructure standards. It might also be the value of expensive cycling kit and the more subtle losses associated with cycling accident injuries.

Cycling Team

Our cycle injury claims team is headed up by Stuart Kightley who has been representing cyclists and their families for over 20 years. He still commutes by bike into the firm’s Camden office every day. He is an elected member of the Trustee Board of the London Cycling Campaign.

The team also features catastrophic injury specialist and cycling enthusiast Rob Aylott and experienced cycling lawyers Nikki Hall, Laura Swaine and Andrew Middlehurst.

London Cycling Campaign

We are proud to be the legal partner of the London Cycling Campaign.

London Cycling Campaign is a charity supported by over 12,000 of members. Their aim is to make sure everyone who cycles, or wants to cycle has a voice in Greater London.

Our cycling injury lawyers  provide free Helpline assistance to any LCC member who has been injured or involved in a collision.

Accreditations

Our cycling injury team and individual solicitors are regularly ranked in the leading independent legal directories ‘Chambers UK’ and The Legal 500′ for offering ‘niche expertise in cycling related injury claims.’

Osbornes Law is featured in the ‘Best Law Firm’ guide 2020 and 2021, published by ‘The Times’ and also won ‘Law Firm of the Year’ at the 2018 Modern Law Awards.

WHAT WE DO

• Bike Accident
• Bike Crashes
• Cycling Injuries
• Cycling Solicitors

Commuter cycling is definitely not for the faint-hearted but, like most cyclists we wholeheartedly believe the rewards far outweigh the risks. It’s a cheaper, healthier and a much more pleasurable way to get to work rather than being stuck in a bus lane or crammed in a tube carriage.

So we want to see our roads become a much more welcoming place for cyclists – both those with experience and the wannabes who would get on a bike if conditions improved.

In the meantime though we’re realistic. We wear helmets, fit lights, we glow in the dark – but we still don’t get seen! It’s because of this that we use our specialist knowledge and experience as cycle injury lawyers in London to help cyclists (and their families) who are involved in collisions.

THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF CYCLIST CASUALTIES RESULTING IN CYCLING ACCIDENT CLAIMS

• A vehicle approaching from opposite carriageway, turns right across your path without giving way to you and you collide with its nearside (left side)
• A vehicle emerges from a side road to your left into your path, turns left or right without giving way to you and you collide with its offside (right side)
• You are overtaking or undertaking stationary traffic when a vehicle turns into your path without looking
• A lorry turning left at a junction fails to see you in the nearside (left hand) lane
• A pothole or other defect in the road makes you lose control of the bike
• A vehicle door is opened into your path as you pass and causes a collision
• Vehicles, particularly lorries, vans and buses, fail to leave enough room as they pass on the offside (right side) of cyclists.

HOW OUR CYCLING INJURY LAWYERS & CYCLING INJURY SOLICITORS CAN HELP

We aim to get you back on the road as soon as possible by:

• Getting you treatment and rehabilitation for any cycle injuries you suffer
• Making sure your bike gets back into working order
• Making up for any time you spend away from work

WHAT HAPPENS IF A CYCLING INJURY IS VERY SERIOUS?

Sadly, all too often cycle injuries are more severe, requiring long hospital stays and months or years of intense rehabilitation. This may also mean a complete change in your lifestyle, from the way you live at home to the job you can do.

In these cases we work with you and your family to make sure you’re financially secure. We know that no amount of money can turn the clock back, but compensation goes some way to help you adapt to the changes in your life.

TYPES OF CYCLING ACCIDENT CLAIMS

• • Head Injury Accident Claim
  • Fatal Injury Accident Claim
  • Sport Cycling Accident
  • Junction and Roundabout Accident
  • Pothole Accident Claim
  • Cycle Lane Accident Claim
  • Find Out More

RECENT CASES

• A cyclist was knocked off her bike by an Uber driver. The Uber driver’s insurance company admitted liability and made a very early settlement offer of just over £1,300, before medical evidence was available. The insurers put pressure on the cyclist by sending the offer directly to their home address as well as to Osbornes Law. Andrew Middlehurst, specialist cycling solicitor, advised the cyclist that it was likely that they could beat this offer if they obtained medical evidence. Medical reports were obtained following ultrasound investigations and physiotherapy treatment. The medical reports were then sent to the Uber driver’s insurance company and our client’s claim eventually settled for over £7000. This case shows how important it is for cyclists to obtain legal advice in situations where they have had an accident and a large insurance company makes them an early offer of settlement. Whilst it may be tempting to take the money offered so you can put the matter behind you, this case highlights the importance of having an expert solicitor in cycling cases look into matters to guide you through the process and advise as to the full value of your claim.
• An IT worker was hit whilst on his commute by a car turning right across his path while he was cycling straight ahead in a cycle lane. He suffered injuries to his shoulder, elbow and wrist. He would experience long term problems as a result. The case settled for £40,000.
• A cyclist was travelling near to Blackheath on his way to work when he was struck on a roundabout by a car that failed to give way to him. He suffered multiple dental injuries and a fractured toe. The case settled for £25,000.
• A music teacher was cycling in traffic on his way to work. A bus changed lanes and drove into the back of his bike. The client suffered a fractured hip. Initially the case was rejected by another law firm and he contacted Osbornes Law. His case settled for £20,000.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who would my cycling accident claims be against?  Your claim would be brought against the other individual involved in the collision. However, in practice your claim will be dealt with by an insurance company on your behalf.

I may be partly responsible, can I still make a claim? Yes. We will be able to advise you on how much blame is likely to be attributed to you. In practice we can usually reach an agreement with the insurance company on a percentage basis.

What do I do if I hit a pedestrian?  You should take the name and contact details of the pedestrian and any witnesses. If you have insurance you should report the accident to your insurer straight away. You may face a claim against you by the pedestrian if they are injured. If you are also injured and the pedestrian was partly responsible for the collision then you may have a counterclaim against you.

Do I need insurance?  There is no requirement for you to hold third party insurance cover in order to cycle in the UK. We do, however, encourage insurance cover to protect you in the event you are involved in a collision and it is alleged you are responsible. London Cycling Campaign members automatically get insurance cover as part of their membership. Consider signing up or look for an alternative policy online, there are quite a few companies who provide cover.

Rehabilitation It is likely that after a road accident, you will be suffering from the effects of your injuries. Rehabilitation may be funded by the driver’s insurer if liability is admitted to address physical and psychological symptoms and ensure that you recover as quickly as possible. As assessment would be conducted, with a physical examination to determine mobility and range of motion and then recommendations made for treatment such as physiotherapy. If liability is denied by the driver’s insurer, then they may be unwilling to find rehabilitation. However, you can always seek a referral from your GP via the NHS for treatment.

OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU

• Free and fast initial consultation: we will assess your case and advise whether we can assist you within 24 hours;
• Cycling specialists to deal with your claim: a member of our cycling injury team will run your case
• No financial risk: we run cases on a ‘No Win-No Fee’ basis so you will not end up out of pocket (absent fraud)
• Compensation: as well as maximising your compensation claim we will obtain interim payments and rehabilitation funding where possible.

For an initial discussion call our specialist cycling team on 020 7485 8811 or submit your enquiry online and we will contact you.