How to claim after a bicycle accident?
Cyclists are particularly vulnerable on the road and cycling injuries, even in a low-speed incident, can be serious. We understand that a bike accident can be really traumatic and you may be shaken up as well as hurt.
We believe that if you've been injured in a cycling accident as a result of somebody else's negligence, then the least you deserve is an apology and cycling accident compensation to help cover the costs of your recovery.
When you're feeling up to it, the first step towards making a bike accident claim is to get good advice. Talk to us first: you'll be able to explain your experience in a confidential and friendly environment to one of personal injury advisors. We'll be able to work out if you may be eligible to make a bike injury claim.
If your bicycle accident happened in the last three years and wasn't your fault, then there's a good chance we'll be able to help you. You may be eligible to make a claim for your cycling accident if it was caused by:
- Another vehicle at fault
- Defective equipment, such as a faulty crash helmet or a safety issue with the way your bicycle was manufactured
- Roads or cycle lanes in a poor condition, for example potholes or cracks in the tarmac.
Call us on for free, helpful advice with no obligation to claim. You can call us for a chat or arrange for us to call you back at a convenient time. We'll always be happy to help.
We understand that it can sometimes be difficult to tell whether or not the accident was your fault. But if you're at all unsure, the best thing to do is to speak to us. You can also find out more information about whether you might be eligible to make a claim.
#TellYourStory
Every story matters, and everyone has a story to tell. To us, you are real people with real experiences and not everybody who has suffered a personal injury feels heard.
Our #TellYourStory campaign supports those affected by an accident by giving them a platform to speak up and feel listened to. At National Accident Helpline, we're ready to hear you out.
Read more about our #TellYourStory campaignHow much cycling accident compensation could I receive?
How much cycling accident compensation could I receive?
It's hard to say how much you might receive in a successful bike injury compensation claim until your cycle accident solicitors have investigated the details and started negotiations with the other side's insurer.
The amount depends on the accident circumstances, the severity of your cycling accident injuries, the time it takes to recover and whether you've lost income or incurred other financial expenses. Your bicycle injury lawyer will value your claim carefully based on these criteria and inform you of the potential payout.
If you want an estimate as to how much compensation you will get for a bike accident, you can use our bicycle accident compensation calculator.
The Judicial College, part of the Ministry of Justice, publishes guidelines that give the ranges of general damages payments for all types of injury. General damages are what you receive to compensate you for the pain, suffering and ‘loss of amenity' - the overall impact on your life.
Below are some examples of cycling accident injuries that can occur and the range of general damages for each. The figures are from the 15th and latest edition of the guidelines, published in November 2019:
| Type of injury | Compensation range |
| Head injury | £1,880 - £379,100 |
| Severe neck injury | £38,800 - £139,210 |
| Moderate brain damage | £36,740 - £205,580 |
| Severe back injury with spinal cord damage | £77,700 - £151,070 |
| Hip or pelvis injury | £3,370 - £122,860 |
| Fractured thigh bone (femur) | £7,780 - £13,210 |
In dreadful circumstances where a loved one has died following a bike accident, we know that nothing can ever replace your loss. However, compensation can help you cope with day-to-day life.
Your solicitor will carefully work out the compensation figure based on the shock of bereavement, funeral expenses and the level of dependency of those left behind. Your solicitor will explain everything you need to know, at a pace that's right for you.
Please be assured that if you need to speak to us about a fatal bike accident, we understand how difficult that can be. We're here to support you on that call, and the conversation you have with us will be completely confidential.
Why talk to National Accident Helpline?
Why talk to National Accident Helpline?
We're the UK's leading provider of accident advice, services and support. We help hundreds of people every day. In fact, with over years_since years' experience, we've lent a helping hand to over two million people injured in accidents caused by someone else's negligence.
With a nationwide network of trusted personal injury law firms, we help customers make no win no fee compensation claims for all types of accident injury.
From road traffic accidents and trips or slips to workplace accidents, medical negligence and life-changing injuries, you can trust us to help make it right.
We're rated ‘excellent' on Trustpilot. With over 22,000 reviews and counting, nobody else working in personal accident claims has as much positive customer feedback as us.
Our Personal Injury Advice Centre is in Kettering, Northamptonshire, and all our advisors are trained. This means they have the experience to understand your situation quickly and can help you understand if you may be eligible to make a cycling injury compensation claim.
Did you know?
100 cyclists were killed, 4,333 seriously injured and 12,451 slightly injured across the UK in 2019.
Source: The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA)
Charles Boyce won £12,000 after a serious accident
It didn't take long - four months later the driver admitted liability. Everything was handled really well
How we connect you to a bike accident solicitor
When you speak to us, our personal injury advisors will do everything they can to put you at ease and will make sure you know exactly what to expect when making a cycling accident compensation claim.
We're here to give you impartial advice and, when you speak to us, you're under no obligation to start your claim. If we think you have a case, we'll let you know and will ask you if you'd like to talk to one of our specialist cycle accident solicitors for free. We can usually connect you on the same call if that suits you - but there's no rush and never any pressure on you to do so.
Your bike accident solicitor will give you a further consultation and will be happy to answer any questions you have. They'll let you know what starting a claim involves and will support you through the process.
What are the common types of cycling injuries?
What are the common types of cycling injuries?
Cyclists are vulnerable to injury in a bike accident. Today, helmets offer some protection but head and brain injuries are still common.
Common cycling injuries that people make claims for include:
- Joint dislocation or fracture
- Muscular strains and other soft tissue injuries
- Neck or spinal injury
- Cuts, scrapes and bruises, including deep scrapes - called road rash - if the cyclist is thrown from the bike.
- Broken bones
The psychological effects of a cycling accident
When people think of making an accident claim with us, they often think about how compensation can help with their physical injuries. However, the psychological impact of your accident will also be considered when putting together your case.
For example, if you feel traumatised by the thought of cycling since your accident, this will be taken into account and you could receive compensation to cover the psychological discomfort and stress you've experienced.
What are the common causes of cycling accidents?
What are the common causes of cycling accidents?
As with motorcycle accidents, the carelessness of other road users is regularly to blame in a bike accident. In particular are circumstances where a car or lorry turns left without seeing the cyclist and hits them. This type of cycle accident can result in serious injury even though it usually takes place at low speed.
Other causes include:
- Riding too fast for the conditions or too close to other road users.
- Collisions with pedestrians.
- Collisions with other road users at junctions or traffic lights.
If you're a cyclist and have been involved in a bicycle crash such as being hit by a car, we may be able to help you to make a claim. Call us on , arrange a call back or start your claim online.
What happens if the other vehicle didn't stop?
What happens if the other vehicle didn't stop?
If you've been hurt in a cycle accident and the other vehicle failed to stop or was uninsured, then we can help you make a bike accident claim through the Motor Insurers' Bureau.
- This includes accidents where the other vehicle or driver is untraceable or uninsured.
Typically, you have three years from the date of your cycle accident to make a claim. If it involves a serious head or brain injury someone is claiming on your behalf, then you'll have longer.
We help support those who help support you
There's huge, countrywide support amongst bike riders for the UK's network of air ambulance services. Cyclists involved in accidents regularly receive fast and vital treatment from the flying medics.
We understand their importance to you if you're hurt in an accident and that's why we are proud supporters of the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance.
Why choose National Accident Helpline?
If you've been injured in a cycling accident which wasn't your fault, we're here to help. Call us on or fill out our call back form to speak to a friendly helpline advisor ata time that best suits you. Alternatively you could start your claim online today.