Cyclist Hit By a Car: What to Do and How to Claim Compensation

Being hit by a car while cycling can leave you with serious injuries, damage to your bike and immediate worries about work, treatment and recovery. You may also be unsure what to do next or whether you can make a claim.

At Osbornes Law, our specialist cycling accident solicitors help injured cyclists claim compensation after collisions with cars, vans and other motor vehicles. We act for cyclists who have been knocked off their bike at junctions, hit by turning vehicles, struck by drivers pulling out of side roads and injured in hit and run collisions.

This page explains what to do if you have been hit by a car on your bike, who may be at fault and how to start a compensation claim. For broader advice, visit our cycling accident claims page.

Knocked off your bike by a car

If you have been knocked off your bike by a car, you may be entitled to compensation if the driver was at fault, even if you think you may have been partly responsible. Many cycling collisions happen because a driver fails to look properly, turns across a cyclist’s path or pulls out without giving way.

Our team understands the serious impact these accidents can have. We regularly help cyclists recover compensation for pain and suffering, damaged bikes and equipment, loss of earnings, treatment costs and ongoing rehabilitation needs.

What to do if you are hit by a car while cycling

If you are hit by a car while cycling, your health comes first. Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if your injuries do not seem serious at first. Symptoms of concussion, soft tissue damage and internal injury can appear later.

If you are able to do so safely, try to:

• get the driver’s name, address, registration number and insurer details
• take photographs of the scene, your bike, the vehicle and visible injuries
• ask witnesses for their contact details
• report the collision to the police where appropriate, especially if the driver failed to stop
• keep damaged clothing, helmet and bike parts
• keep records of treatment, travel costs, lost income and other expenses

Early legal advice can make a real difference. Our solicitors can help secure evidence, deal with the insurer and advise you on the likely value of your claim.

Who is at fault when a car hits a cyclist?

Liability depends on the facts of the accident, but in many cases the driver is at fault because they failed to take proper care around a vulnerable road user. Cyclists are entitled to use the road and drivers must give them sufficient space and priority where required.

Common examples of driver fault include:

• turning left or right across a cyclist’s path
• pulling out of a side road or driveway without seeing the cyclist
• overtaking too closely
• opening a car door into a cyclist’s path
• failing to check mirrors properly
• driving too fast or without due care and attention

Some cases involve shared responsibility. For example, a cyclist may be accused of poor road positioning, failing to have lights or entering the road carelessly. Even if liability is disputed or you may have been partly to blame, you may still be able to recover compensation.

What happens if you hit a cyclist with your car?

Drivers owe a duty of care to other road users, including cyclists. If a driver hits a cyclist, they may be responsible for the cyclist’s injuries and financial losses. In most cases, any compensation claim will be handled by the driver’s motor insurer.

Depending on the circumstances, there may also be police involvement, particularly where the collision was caused by careless driving, dangerous driving or a failure to stop after the accident.

If you are the injured cyclist, the important point is that a driver’s insurer will usually meet a valid claim where the evidence shows the driver caused the collision.

What if a cyclist hits your car?

Some people search for advice after a cyclist has collided with their vehicle. These cases are different and liability still depends on the circumstances. The key issue is who caused the accident.

This page focuses on claims by injured cyclists. If you were cycling and injured in a collision with a vehicle, our team can advise you on whether the driver, another road user or another party may be legally responsible.

Common causes of collisions between cyclists and cars

Many crashes happen in entirely predictable situations where drivers fail to notice cyclists or misjudge their speed and position. Common causes include:

• drivers not looking properly before turning
• drivers failing to give way at junctions
• vehicles cutting across cycle lanes
• cars pulling out from side roads
• dooring incidents
• poor overtaking
• fatigue, distraction or phone use
• speeding or driving too fast for the conditions

We also advise on related accidents involving cycle lane collisions, roundabout cycling accidents and car dooring injuries.

Common injuries when a cyclist is hit by a car

Cyclists have very little physical protection in a collision with a motor vehicle. Even where the speed is relatively low, the injuries can be severe.

We regularly help clients with claims involving:

• fractures and soft tissue injuries
• head and brain injuries
• spinal injuries
• neck, back and shoulder injuries
• facial injuries and scarring
• internal injuries
• psychological trauma
• catastrophic and life-changing injuries

Where injuries are serious, we can also seek interim payments to help with treatment, rehabilitation and immediate financial pressures while the case is ongoing.

As a cyclist, what are my rights on the road?

Cyclists have the right to use the road and to expect drivers to take reasonable care for their safety. The Highway Code places clear responsibilities on motorists when dealing with cyclists, including leaving enough room when overtaking and giving way appropriately at junctions.

Drivers should take extra care around vulnerable road users. This is particularly important at roundabouts, junctions and when opening vehicle doors or crossing cycle lanes.

How much compensation can a cyclist claim after being hit by a car?

The value of a claim depends on the seriousness of your injuries and the effect the accident has had on your life. Compensation usually includes:

• general damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity
• loss of earnings
• medical and rehabilitation costs
• care and assistance
• travel expenses
• the cost of repairing or replacing your bike, helmet, clothing and equipment
• future losses in more serious cases

If you are looking for broader guidance on likely compensation levels, read our article on bicycle accident claim payouts.

How to make a claim after being hit by a car as a cyclist

Starting a claim is usually straightforward once the key evidence is in place. Our solicitors will assess how the accident happened, identify the correct insurer, gather medical evidence and value the claim properly.

We can help with claims involving:

• a driver who admitted fault
• a disputed liability collision
• a hit and run driver
• an uninsured driver
• serious and catastrophic injuries

We will also advise you on funding options and whether your case can be handled under a no win, no fee agreement.

Clients we have helped after car and bike collisions

Our cycling injury team has secured substantial compensation for cyclists injured by negligent drivers.

• £335,000 for the family of a cyclist killed in a fatal hit and run collision
• £50,000 for a cyclist hit by a Porsche at a junction, causing a brain injury and fractures
• £40,000 for a cyclist hit by a turning car while travelling in a cycle lane

You can also read more of our cycling case results, including a cyclist awarded £30,000 after being struck by a turning car and a seven-figure fatal cycling accident settlement.

Why choose Osbornes Law?

Osbornes Law is recognised for serious injury and cycling accident work. We combine specialist legal expertise with a practical understanding of the issues cyclists face after a collision, from treatment and rehabilitation to damaged equipment and time off work.

We act for injured cyclists across London and beyond, and we are committed to securing the maximum compensation available in every case.

Speak to a specialist cycling accident solicitor

If you have been hit by a car on your bike, contact Osbornes Law for clear advice on your options and the strength of your claim.

Call us on 020 7485 8811 or complete our online enquiry form to speak to a member of our team.

For broader support with any bike-related injury case, visit our cycling accident claims page.