Cycling Accident Claims

At National Accident Helpline, we pride ourselves on simplifying the claims process. These are the steps for claiming after a tram accident:

• Step one: the first step is to get in touch with us. This initial conversation will help you to understand whether you are eligible for compensation and there will be no obligation to make a claim.
• Step two: we'll listen to your story and answer your questions. We'll also try to get a better understanding of what happened and the effects it has had on your life. Then we'll be able to let you know if you're in a position to make a claim.
  If you decide you'd like to take the next steps, we will pass you on to one of our no win no fee solicitor partners.
• Step three: your new legal team will get in touch with the other party and negotiate on your behalf. They'll consider the full effects of your injury and do everything they can to make sure you receive the full amount you're owed.

Most claims are required to either have been settled within three years, or for court proceedings to have been started. It's best to claim as soon as possible so your memory is fresh, and evidence is recent and easier to gather.

This three-year period is often referred to as the limitation period, which is the time by which you must either settle your claim or start court proceedings.

There are, however, a few exceptions:

• When claiming on behalf of a child - you can make a claim for a child injured in a cycling accident at any time until their 18th birthday. After turning 18, they have until age 21 to either settle their claim or start court proceedings.
• If the injury victim lacks the mental capacity to do it themselves there are no time limits for claiming. This could be as a direct result of the injury they've suffered or a pre-existing medical condition. However, if the Claimant regains mental capacity after the accident, even if only temporarily, then the three-year limit starts from then.

Until your solicitors have started negotiating on your behalf, they won't be able to give you an exact figure of the compensation you could be entitled to.

The settlement amount will take into account several factors, including:

• Injury type and severity.
• Recovery time.
• Medical expenses and travel costs.
• Lost earnings from time off work.
• Any lifestyle changes that you have had to make as a result of your injuries.
• Ongoing care needs and any home adaptations needed.

While many claims are settled within 12-24 months, ultimately, it depends on how complex your case is. The type, severity and circumstances of your injuries, plus the time it takes to gather all the necessary medical evidence can impact the time it takes to settle.

Your legal team will keep you updated throughout the process, so you know what to expect at every stage.

Quite simply, yes. If you're thinking of making a claim on behalf of a friend or loved one, then it's likely we can help you. You can help someone start their claim, supporting them through their phone consultations, or act as a litigation friend.

A litigation friend can claim on behalf of a child, or someone who lacks the mental capacity to manage the process themselves. You can even claim on behalf of a loved one who lost their life in a fatal cycling accident. The National Accident Helpline team are experienced in supporting people to navigate these claims and get justice their loved one deserves.

If you're looking to claim for a fatal cycling accident, you have three years from the date of the accident to start court proceedings. Our compassionate advisors will support you through the initial process and connect you with a solicitor to fight your case.

Claiming compensation after the death of a loved one can help you to get justice for their loss and support you with the financial impact of their death.

If you were partly to blame for the accident that caused you harm, you may still be able to claim compensation.

You may be able to agree “split liability” with the other party. Your legal team will help you understand who was at fault in our initial consultation, and whether you could claim with in a split liability basis, so don't worry if you aren't sure.

The best thing to do is be open and honest with your personal injury advisor and your legal team, then they'll be able to give you clear advice about whether you could claim.

Yes, you can still claim compensation for a cycling accident injury even if you weren't wearing protective clothing at the time. In the UK it's not a legal requirement to wear a helmet or other protective gear when cycling.

Not wearing proper protective clothing while riding a bicycle can lead to more severe injuries in the event of a cycling accident. The Highway Code strongly recommends wearing a helmet and advises cyclists to wear light-coloured or fluorescent clothing in daylight and reflective clothing and/or accessories in the dark. While not mandatory, these safety measures can significantly reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accident.

Even if the driver at fault didn't stop, and cannot be identified, you may still be able to pursue compensation through the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB), which compensates victims of uninsured and untraced drivers.

To increase your chances of a successful hit and run claim, gather as much evidence as possible, such as witness statements, CCTV footage, or photos of the scene. You should also contact the police immediately, as you may not be able to make a claim through the MIB unless you have and in any event their report will play a key role in supporting your claim.

If you were injured by an untraceable or uninsured driver or involved in a hit-and-run, then we may still be able to help you. In these cases, road traffic accident claims are paid by the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB).

While witnesses can be a great source of evidence for your road accident claim, they aren't a requirement. Other evidence includes: 

• Your injuries - how the accident happened may be evident in the injury you've sustained. To process you're claim, it's likely you'll be required to attend a medical assessment, which will be used as evidence in supporting your claim. 
• Damage to your bicycle - the damage made to your bicycle may indicate how you were hit.
• Photos and videos - whether snapped by you at the scene, or collected later via CCTV footage, photo and video evidence can help form solid evidence for a claim.

If you're worried, chat to one of our friendly advisors and they'll advise whether you could claim compensation.

In 2022, the UK's Highway Code had several updates to protect pedestrians and cyclists from other road users. These primarily focus on safety and road space. The changes for cyclists include maintaining a minimum distance from the kerb on busy roads, the ability to ride two abreast in groups, and clearer guidance on passing parked vehicles and overtakes. Drivers are also required to pass cyclists with a safe distance and treat cyclists like other road users when joining roads.

If you were injured on the road while following these rules, you will likely have a strong case for a claim.

If you weren't aware of the changes to the Highway Code and could be seen as partly to blame for the accident and injuries, you still may be able to claim with “split liability”. Chat to our friendly team today to learn how it works.

Sometimes accidents aren't caused by other road users, but by poor road conditions. In these cases, you may still be able to claim.

To make a cycling accident claim due to an unsafe road, you need to prove that the road's dangerous condition caused the accident, and that the responsible party was negligent in maintaining the road. The negligent party could be a local council or highway authority, or the owner of a private road.

Helpful evidence could be photographs, videos, and witness statements. If you've reported the incident, that could also be supportive evidence for your claim.