Cycling Accident Claims

• 

• 

  “This is a really excellent personal injury team that can be regarded as one of the major players in the London claimant personal injury market.”

Cycling Accident Compensation

As cyclists ourselves, we know that every case is different and we understand the issues that arise in cycling accident claims. From dooring, flooring and hooking to lorry vision standards and infrastructure, we know the various road accident scenarios and the types of injury that cyclists suffer as well as the short and long-term effects and losses that follow. You will hear from some of our clients and how we have been able to help.

We are proud to be the exclusive legal partner of the London Cycling Campaign, a 12,000-member strong charity that gives cyclists a voice in Greater London. Our head of cycling claims also takes an active role in campaigning for safer cycling as an LCC trustee.

How do I Claim for a Cycling Accident?

Speak to one of our expert bicycle accident lawyers for a free initial assessment.  The first consideration will be whether a claim for compensation is likely to succeed. That will depend on the facts of the particular case, but if it can be proved – on the balance of probabilities – that another party was at fault and their fault caused the accident then the claim will succeed. If the lawyer believes the claim has little or no chance of success they will decline to take the case on a No Win No Fee basis. You are then at liberty to consult one or more other lawyers, because other firms may take a different view on liability or have a different appetite for risk.

It may well be that it is too early at the outset for the lawyer to have a clear idea of liability.  It may be that you are unable for various reasons to recount the accident circumstances and it can take time to gather the liability evidence together. The solicitor should then obtain the police, witness, CCTV, accident investigation and other evidence necessary to review the case on liability, pursuing the claim with the opponent’s insurers and seeking an early admission of liability.

There is a protocol that your lawyer and the third-party insurers will follow, which has short time limits to deal with the exchange of initial information and which is designed to resolve issues on liability in the initial weeks after the claim is brought.

Rehabilitation is also an early consideration, and in many cases, an early independent rehabilitation assessment is carried out so that funding can be sought from the opponent to cover the cost of medical investigations, therapies and treatment.

Issues around medical assessment, prognosis and compensation assessment should wait until the injuries have stabilised, and so they tend to follow liability investigations.

How Much Compensation Can I Claim For A Bicycle Accident?

No two bicycle accidents are the same so we can’t say, straight away, exactly how much compensation you will get for your claim. While we might not be able to say precisely how much compensation you can expect to get, we are highly experienced in cycling injury claims and should be able to give you an estimate, when we speak. In order to give you an estimate we take into account:

• The severity of your injuries
• How long it will take to recover from your accident
• The cost of medical care and rehabilitation
• The value of the damage to your bike and personal possessions such as a helmet, clothes and mobile phone
• The financial impact that your injuries may have on your life.

Take a look at our client stories to see examples of how much compensation has been awarded for different cycling accident claims.

What Can I Claim For Following A Cycling Accident?

The heads of loss in a cycling accident claim are broad and cover past losses and expenses as well as rehabilitation and the cost of meeting future needs, including:

• Loss of earnings and prejudice on the labour market
• Bike repairs and equipment damage
• Travel expenses and loss of use of bike
• Treatment, rehabilitation and therapy costs
• Specialist equipment and care
• Adaptations to vehicle and home

Osbornes Law recently acted for a client who was thrown off her bike in a collision at a roundabout and suffered a lumbar spine fracture. During her period of recovery, she had to work reduced hours as a hospital consultant and required therapy for the psychological effects of the accident and her injuries. Interim payments were claimed from the opponent to meet these costs. Longer term, she was restricted in terms of the physical aspects of her job, and the eventual financial settlement included the value of continued reduced hours, up to retirement, as well as compensation for the lost opportunity to gain further promotion.

We acted for another client who sustained a lower back injury when he was knocked off his bike. He made a good recovery but would always have a vulnerability to episodes of back pain if he over-exerted physically. We were able to recover damages to allow him to pay contractors to complete the home DIY and garden renovation work he had started and secured an allowance every year to cover the cost of heavier DIY and gardening in the future, beyond retirement age.

How Long Do I Have To Claim For A Bicycle Accident?

You usually have three years from the date of your accident or injury to bring a claim – we’d always advise getting in touch with our bicycle accident lawyers as soon as possible to discuss your claim.

How Long Does A Bike Accident Claim Take?

Each claim has different circumstances so it’s impossible to say exactly how long your claim will take. It will depend on several factors including the severity of your injuries and whether or not your opponent accepts blame.

A relatively simple claim – like minor scratches and bruises or when the other party admits responsibility – could be settled in a few months. A claim relating to more serious injuries – or a claim where the other party doesn’t admit responsibility – will take longer as we’ll have to seek medical evidence. This is partly so that we can make sure any compensation supports you for your long-term medical needs. We may also have to wait to understand the full impact of your injuries because compensation may depend on how long it takes you to heal.

Other factors that could prolong your cycling injury claim include whether it has to go to court or if you’ve been injured in a hit-and-run accident that involves the police and insurance companies having to locate the driver.

Can I Make A No Win No Fee Cycling Accident Claim?

Most claims are commonly instructed on a no-win no fee basis. Osbornes will offer you a No Win No Fee funding agreement so that you will not have to meet the legal costs and expenses as the case proceeds. In the unlikely event that the case is not successful, you will not be left out of pocket. If you win you pay us a small success fee from your recovered damages.

Why Choose Osbornes Law to Make a Bike Accident Claim?

The cycling team at Osbornes is made up of approachable London lawyers, with over 40 years of experience in litigating the most complex and serious accident cases and representing cyclists across the full range of claims.

Our personal injury lawyers have successfully recovered millions of pounds for people whose lives have been devastated by serious and life-changing cycling injuries and for the families of those tragically killed whilst cycling.

Our main focus is on giving you all the support you need throughout your recovery: getting you the best rehabilitation and financial package for your needs, including interim payments throughout the course of your case, and where possible getting you back on your bike.

Read about cycling accidents and the law.