How Can I Claim Bike Accident Compensation?

More than one in ten adults in the UK bicycles to work at least once per week. This puts a lot of “vulnerable” road users beside much larger vehicles, often resulting in accidents. If you are in an incident that wasn’t your fault, you may be able to make a bike accident compensation claim.

Because for all of the many benefits of cycling – it’s very cost-effective, it’s good for the environment, and it’s good for you too – it can be difficult to be on the same road around trucks and buses and traffic of all descriptions when it’s just you on two narrow wheels.

The cycling network in the UK is also not always all it could be. Stories of massive potholes in main roads and missing direction signs add extra danger to an already potentially risky situation.

Call us now on 0800 0747 644 or complete a Free Online Enquiry to arrange a discussion with one of our highly experienced bike accident lawyers. It’s the most important first step on your journey to fair compensation.

“Very good, quick and professional service. I couldn’t ask for more.”

But these are not the only reasons you might be able to make a claim after a bicycle accident. Here is everything you need to know about the basics of how and when you can make a claim:

Can I Claim If I Get Knocked Of My Bike?

Successful bike accident compensation claims are based around responsibility. If you were not at fault in the accident, it is likely you will be able to make a claim.

At Grieves Solicitors, thanks to the 76 years of combined experience we have helping clients get the compensation they are due after personal injuries, we know how vital is to be able to clearly demonstrate that someone else is at fault.

In your case, if it wasn’t your fault, there are likely to be three broad categories where responsibility could lie:

1. Other road users – if another road user, most commonly the driver of a vehicle, was at fault for your accident, you are likely to be able to make a claim. This covers any situation where someone else on the road was responsible for your injury.
2. Unsafe road conditions – this includes things like potholes and uneven surfaces, missing direction, lane, or hazard signs, or even malfunctioning traffic lights in certain cases. Any situation where it is the road you are riding on that caused your accident.
3. Bicycle or equipment failure – this covers situations when your bike broke down or stopped working correctly because of a defect or another piece of equipment – commonly your helmet – failed to protect you or operate properly.

How To Make A Bike Accident Compensation Claim

There is a general process for making a claim following a bicycle accident that wasn’t your fault. First of all, if you are injured, medical treatment should be a priority.

At all stages after this, the presence of a solicitor who specialises in bike accident claims will be a big help to you. They know the system and how to proceed to maximise your chance of success. Any experienced solicitor will advise you to:

1. Collect any evidence – take pictures of your injuries, any damage to your bicycle or clothing, and the place where the incident took place. You might also want to photograph the number plate of any other vehicle involved.
2. Gather witness testimony – if anyone witnessed the incident, take their details and ask them to give a statement about what they saw.
3. Report the incident to the police – it is important that your accident is officially recorded so that you can later get a copy of the police report.

At all stages, try to keep a record of any expenses or costs you incur. This might include everything from the cost of repairing or replacing your bike to how much it costs you to get to work without a bicycle or to the hospital for treatment.

What Is A No-Win, No-Fee Bike Accident Claim?

One thing that would prevent many people from making a claim for any compensation they may be due following a bicycle accident that wasn’t their fault would be the lack of upfront finances to pay legal fees.

Recognising this, UK law offers what is called a Conditional Fee Agreement. This is more commonly called “no win, no fee”.

In this arrangement, you don’t have any legal fees to pay upfront. Instead, your solicitor takes a small percentage of any compensation you receive at the end of the claims process.

If you have experienced a bike accident and this sounds like an approach that might suit you, why not get in touch with us today?

Grieves Solicitors has already helped deserving claimants achieve millions in compensation. Reach out to us now on 0800 0747 644 or complete a Free Online Enquiry to have us get back to you as soon as possible.

Here at Grieves Solicitors, Personal Injury Specialists, we offer a no win, no fee solution to funding your claim (a conditional fee agreement) which means that you do not have to worry about legal costs and expenses.  You can read about our no win, no fee agreement here.