You may use your bicycle as your main mode of transportation, or you may cycle as a hobby. If you have been injured while using your bicycle on the roads, and the accident was not your fault, you may be eligible for personal injury compensation. In this guide, we discuss who could be eligible to make cycling accident claims.

Key Takeaways

  • While using the roads, you are owed a duty of care by other road users. You also owe a duty of care.
  • You could claim compensation  for both physical and psychological injuries.
  • There is a timit limit in which you must start your claim.
  • A No Win No Fee solicitor on our panel could help you with claiming compensation.

To discuss your particular case today, or to ask any questions while reading this guide, you can contact our advisors:

Blue bike under the wheel of a silver car after the car has hit a cyclist. The cyclist can start a bicycle accident claim.Jump To A Section

  1. Can I Claim After A Bicycle Accident?
  2. I Wasn’t Wearing A Helmet, Can I Still Make A Claim?
  3. The Most Common Causes Of Cycling Accidents
  4. Types Of Injuries You Could Claim For
  5. How Long After A Bike Accident Can I Claim Compensation?
  6. Can I Claim After A Cycling Accident With An Uninsured Driver?
  7. How To Prove Cycling Accident Claims
  8. How Much Compensation Can You Claim For A Bicycle Accident?
  9. How We Can Help With Cycling Accident Claims
  10. Further Information

Can I Claim After A Bicycle Accident?

All cycling accident claims must meet the below criteria to be valid:

  1. A road user owed you a duty of care
  2. They failed to adhere to their duty
  3. This caused your bicycle accident and subsequent injury

All people using the road owe a duty of care to each other. This means they must use the roads responsibly and follow the relevant guidance and legislation, such as the Highway Code and Road Traffic Accident Act 1988.

If you are still unsure about your eligibility, why not contact one of our advisors? They can discuss the details of your personal injury claim and let you know if you can proceed.

I Wasn’t Wearing A Helmet, Can I Still Make A Claim?

If you suffered a head injury from a bicycle accident but were not wearing a helmet, this would be referred to as contributory negligence. This is because it could be argued that your failure to wear a helmet may have contributed to the severity of the injury.

You could still be able to claim compensation if another person’s negligent actions on the road caused your injury, although contributory negligence may affect the amount of compensation you receive.

You can speak with our advisors for more information as they can examine the specifics of your case.

The Most Common Causes Of Cycling Accidents

There are many causes of cycling accident claims. We have included some examples below:

  • A driver fails to stop at a red light due to being distracted by their phone, meaning they hit a cyclist and knocked them off their bike. The cyclist sustains a head injury.
  • A driver changes lanes without checking their mirrors to ensure it is clear and safe to do so, causing them to hit a cyclist using the other lane. The cyclist falls off their bike and breaks their elbow.
  • A motorcyclist is speeding and cannot stop in time when a cyclist has stopped in front of them at a zebra crossing. The motorcyclist crashes into the back of the cyclist, causing the cyclist to injure their pelvis.
  • A person drives under the influence of alcohol, causing them to swerve on the road and hit a cyclist. The cyclist suffers an injured leg.

How Common Are Cycling Accidents?

According to the Department for Transport, in 2023 there were a total of 14,999 pedal cycle injuries reported. Out of those:

  • 87 were fatal injuries
  • 3,924 were serious injuries
  • 10,970 were slight injuries

Between 2019 and 2023, 2,557 reported pedal cycle accidents occurred due to drivers failing to look properly, making it the most common cause. Other common causes of bicycle accidents include:

  • 1,154 cases where a driver failed to judge the cyclist’s speed or path
  • 961 incidents caused by a person driving in a hurry, recklessly or without care
  • 241 accidents due to a driver driving under the influence of alcohol or otherwise impaired

You can contact our advisors if you’re not sure whether you can claim compensation for your accident. They have dealt with many similar cases and can help you with your queries.

Types Of Injuries You Could Claim For

There are various different injuries that you could claim for following a cycling accident, such as:

  • Neck, spine or back injuries
  • Head or brain injuries
  • Soft tissue injuries (such as sprains, strains and injured joints)
  • Lacerations, bruising and cuts
  • Psychological suffering, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Do not worry if your specific injury was not listed. You can contact an advisor to determine if you can claim compensation for your injury.

How Long After A Bike Accident Can I Claim Compensation?

All personal injury claims must be started within three years after the accident takes place. This limitation period is set out under the Limitation Act 1980.

The time limit may vary for cases where the injured person is:

  • Lacking the mental capacity to claim
  • Under the age of eighteen

To learn more about these exceptions, you can contact our advisors.

My Child Was Injured In A Cycling Accident, Can I Claim On Their Behalf?

If your child has been injured in a cycling accident, you may be able to make a claim on their behalf by acting as a litigation friend. This would require you to represent your child’s case in their best interest.

If the claim is successful and your child is awarded compensation, it will be paid into a secure bank account for the child to receive on their eighteenth birthday. There may be exceptions to this if you can prove that the money is required for the child’s well-being. For example, you may need money to pay for your child’s treatment for the injuries they suffered.

You can contact an advisor who can help determine whether you can start a claim on behalf of your child.

A woman bandages her child's ankle after a bicycle accident. The child's bike is discarded on the ground. The woman can start a bicycle accident claim on behalf of her child

Can I Claim After A Cycling Accident With An Uninsured Driver?

Typically, when you claim compensation for a bicycle accident injury, it is paid by the driver’s insurer. However, there are still ways to claim if an uninsured driver or untraceable driver (such as a hit-and-run) injured you. You would instead make your claim through the Motor Insurers Beureau.

What Is The Motor Insurers Bureau?

The Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) aims to reduce uninsured driving and compensates victims of accidents caused by uninsured or untraceable drivers. Therefore, if an uninsured driver caused your bicycle accident, you may be able to claim through the MIB.

However, your case would need to meet the personal injury claiming criteria we set out at the beginning of this guide.

Speak with one of our advisors for more information. They will let you know if one of our solicitors could help you with a claim against an uninsured driver.

How To Prove Cycling Accident Claims

Cycling accident claims require evidence in order to proceed. This could be:

  • A copy of your medical records
  • CCTV footage of the incident or helmet-cam footage
  • Photgraphs of your visible injuries
  • Contact details of people who witnessed the accident as they may be able to give a statement later in the process
  • The details of the driver who was involved in the accident with you
  • Police records (if the accident has been reported to the police)
  • Payslips or bank statements showing lost income

You can contact our team if you would like advice on how to gather the right evidence for your case.

How Much Compensation Can You Claim For A Cycling Accident?

Compensation for a cycling accident claim could be split into two parts.

All successful claims are awarded general damages as these compensate you for the suffering and pain you endured due to your injury.

Legal professionals may refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) when assessing general damages. This document provides compensation guidelines for different severities of various injuries.

We have included some of guidelines in the table below. However, we must emphasise that these figures are not a guarantee of the amount of compensation that you will receive. Additionally, the first entry is not from the JCG.

Type of InjurySeverityCompensation FiguresNote
Multiple severe injuries with financal lossesSevereUp to £500,000+Multiple severe injuries and the financial losses incurred, such as lost earnings and medical expenses.
Brain and HeadModerately Severe£267,340 to £344,150Serious disability where the injured person depends upon a professional carer
BackSevere (i)£111,150 to £196,450Damage to nerve roots and spinal cord causing severe symptoms. Injured person will suffer disability and pain, including reduced control over bodily functions
ChestTraumatic injury£80,240 to £122,850To heart, chest and/or lung, resulting in permanent damage
Psychiatric DamageModerately Severe£23,270 to £66,920Injured person will suffer various symptoms but have a more optimistic prognosis than severe cases
Pelvis and HipsModerate (i)£32,450 to £47,810Significant injury without permanent disability
Neck Moderate (ii)£16,770 to £30,500Disc lesions and soft tissue injuries where movement is limited and injured person experiences pain, discomfort or stiffness
WristLess severe£15,370 to £29,900Injuries with some permanent disability
ShoulderSerious£15,580 to £23,430Damage to brachial plexus and dislocation of shoulder, causing limited movement and weak grip

The other head of loss you could be awarded is special damages. These cover the costs that you have accumulated due to your injury, such as:

  • Lost earnings
  • Adaptations made to your home
  • Medical treatment
  • Travel to and from medical appointments

You will need to prove these costs if they apply to you, so you should keep all receipts and payslips as evidence.

Contact our advisors today with any questions you may have about how compensation is awarded in personal injury claims.

Two solicitors at a desk who can represent cycling accident claims. They are behind a desk with scales and a gavel on it

How We Can Help With Cycling Accident Claims

Firstly, our advisors can answer your queries and help determine whether you are eligible to claim. Then, they can connect you to a solicitor who is experienced in handling cycling accident claims if it seems like you have a strong case.

Our solicitors offer Conditional Fee Agreements (CFA), to their clients. By working on a No Win No Fee basis, you will not need to pay for your solicitor’s services:

  • Before your personal injury claim begins
  • While it is ongoing
  • If you are not awarded compensation

In the event that you do receive compensation, you would then need to pay a success fee. This is a percentage of your compensation. It is legally capped so that you receive most of the compensation yourself.

Contact Our Helpful Team Today

You can get in touch with a member of our team who would be happy to answer any questions you have. Why not contact them if you’re unsure whether your claim is eligible? They can offer you experienced advice and potentially help you to proceed with a No Win No Fee solicitor.

To contact our advisors, you can:

Further Information

Additional compensation claims guides by us:

Check out these resources:

Thank you for reading our guide on cycling accident claims.