We received a very positive response when we posted up the steps to keep in mind if you are ever involved in an accident. Whilst it’s often something we never think about, knowing what to do when you have a cycling accident makes a big difference in dealing with the aftermath of an unfortunate event.
As a number of people posted comments about accidents they’ve had in the past I wanted to dive a little deeper into the topic. By demystifying the process I hope that anyone who ever finds themselves in an accident can feel confident in chasing it up.
If you have any follow on questions then we’ll be monitoring the comments and offering our advice.
Cycling personal injury claim procedures
In an accident you need to be aware of the steps you need to take. This includes, as in a car crash, not admitting any liability (think Shaggy: It wasn’t me).
If you have an injury then you have every right to pursue an injury claim. The injury may cause an inconvenience at best or in worse scenarios require expensive medical assistance. You also need to consider damaged bikes and equipment which need replacing. The other party is liable to restoring these goods to their previous condition.
Best accident claims company
In a claims process you should ideally look into contacting a legal firm that specialises in cycling accidents. London Cyclist works with CAMS who have a small team dedicated to exactly this.
As is well known, the legal process can be an expensive one. As cyclists we are often uninsured and therefore may not by default have cover for this. A solicitor should discuss with you how to get funding and potentially you could enter in a so called “no win – no fee” scenario. In this case the premium for the service is recovered from the third party.
In the case of someone with insurance you are not legally obliged to use the firm of solicitors your insurer has a relationship with. This is your choice.
Gathering evidence and building your case
With your help your lawyer will begin to gather the evidence in support of your claim.
A good firm will take away the perceived ‘hassle’ of making a claim and be in contact
with you as little or as often as you, the individual, would like. The initial contact with
the solicitor may take some time so that all of the relevant accident and financial loss
information can be gathered, but they should then be able to pursue matters on your
behalf.
As soon as the lawyer has enough information they will write a letter of claim to the person or organisation who is responsible for the accident. They will then be known as the third party or Defendant. You are known as the Claimant.
Who’s fault is it (Or in legal terms: finger pointing!)
Part of the cycling accident claim process is to look in-depth at the series of events that occurred to decide who the blame can be attributed to. In some cases the liability can be split. A solicitor will look at previous cases to decide what level of split liability is likely.
- See also: When can you claim in an accident
Preparing a medical report
You will then need to see a doctor to prepare a medical report. The type of expert consulted will depend on the incident.
Out of court settlement in bike accidents
Once your lawyers have enough information to write the detailed letter of claim and it is sent, the timetable starts. The Defendant must acknowledge receipt of the letter of claim within 21 days.
This process is called the “pre-action protocol”. This is to encourage parties to exchange information and to reach settlement without the need for court proceedings.
If for any reason the Defendant does not forward the letter of claim to their insurer promptly, the insurer can ask us for additional time to respond. This is more common in cases involving potholes or highway defects. In cases involving another vehicle then your lawyers should also investigate with the DVLA who insures the defendants vehicle and a letter of claim will also be sent to the vehicle insurers.
Most claims are made against Defendants who are insured. Sometimes there may be
arguments as to whether or not the Defendant is insured. Where the Defendant is not
insured, the Motor Insurers Bureau may deal with the claim.
Once the insurer has acknowledged receipt of the letter of claim they have 3 months to make a decision on whether they will pay your claim. If the defendant admits liability then providing your claim is worth less than £15,000 that admission will normally be binding on the insurer. Usually settlement can be reached within a few months in this case.
If the defendant denies liability they must give reasons. They must also provide any documents relating to your claim. If the Defendant claims you were party to blame this must also be backed up with reasons. The Claimant’s lawyers must then respond to those allegations.
Financial losses
Your lawyers will have to send to the Defendant as soon as possible a list of all your financial losses with supporting documents. This is called the ‘Schedule of Special Damages’. These include pay slips for loss of earnings, invoice for repair of your bicycle and receipts.
If your bike accident claim is not at the stage capable of settlement, then your lawyers can send over the financial loss documents and request an interim payment for some items on the schedule of special damages. This will often help with any financial shortfall that the Claimant may be suffering.
Proof from medical experts about the cycling accident
As part of the protocol your solicitors will have to advise the defendant that you were injured and nominate to them a list of three independent medical experts. The Defendant has the opportunity to object to any of the nominated experts, but in doing so must give valid reasons. This part of the process normally runs smoothly and you as the Claimant will be unaware of what is going on in the background unless you wish to be specifically updated on a regular basis. Save for the most straightforward of cases, it is normally appropriate for the medical expert to have access to your medical notes and records.
Once a medical report has been disclosed both sides can ask the expert to provide answers to written questions on the report. This may be questions relating to your losses, the reasonableness of them, the reasonableness of any period off of work and further comments about rehabilitation such as physiotherapy and it’s cost. Where the Defendant admits liability, your lawyers must disclose the medical report and give the Defendants an opportunity to make a settlement offer. If your lawyers deem said offer to be unreasonable it may be that you are asked to consider a counter offer before issuing Court Proceedings. Most offers are made on a Part 36 of the civil procedure rules basis and are open for acceptance for 21 days. After this period the offer can be withdrawn or left open.
Settlement offers
The Defendant can at any time make an offer in settlement. The offer can relate to the value of your claim or the issue of liability or both.
You can also put forward an offer to the Defendant. If the Defendant puts forward an offer which you reject and your case eventually settles either by negotiation or after a trial, then the Court can consider the offer in deciding who should be responsible for the legal costs of the action. The normal rule would be that if you do no better than the offer made then the other side would be awarded their legal costs. In the event that an offer is made your lawyers should provide you with full advice on this.
Your lawyers should advise you whether they think it is appropriate to put forward a settlement proposal on your behalf either before or after the Defendant has made an offer. This may well depend on specific facts of the case or the injuries that have been suffered. It may be that case that if your injuries are sever then it may not be appropriate to seek settlement of the claim. If under these circumstances the defendant makes a settlement offer your lawyers should consider it carefully and provide you with full advice before accepting or rejecting any such offer.
Taking a cycling accident to the courts
On rare occasions the cycling accident claim will need to go to court. The document known as the “Particulars of Claim” will need to be completed which will contain full explanation of the basis of your claim and losses.
Even if court proceedings are issued, most cycling accident claims will still eventually settle before the need for a trial or hearing.
In April 2010 the Ministry of Justice introduced a new electronic claims process for claims valued under £10,000.00 which simplifies much of the above process for the most straightforward of claims.
Bringing a personal injury claim as a result of a cycling accident is as easy and hassle free as a good specialist lawyer can make it.
Get CAMS to help you with your claim
Any questions? Fire away in the comments..
See also:
This is all good advice – but what happens when a vehicle flees the scene?! I was hit in August, requiring a lot of stitches and about 10 permanent scars, but the lorry that hit me carried on and following investigation, the police dropped the investigation when no CCTV could be found to view the crash or identify the lorry.
I assume there isn’t any worth in claiming, but you never know!
This is all good advice, but one thing which isn’t mentioned is witnesses.
Fortunately I’ve never been involved in an accident on my bike, but I’ve been through this process as a result of a car accident where the other party was at fault. The other driver admitted fault at the scene, but later changed her story and tried to claim that I was speeding (I wasn’t, she just didn’t look before pulling out of a side road into my path).
What saved it for me was witnesses. If a passing postman hadn’t have volunteered his contact details I’d probably have ended up being forced to take the blame, at least in part.
If you’re in an accident, and you’re able to, make sure that you take pictures before the any vehicles are moved. Everyone has a camera on their phone now so there’s no excuse not to unless you’re badly injured.
Also if you GPS track your route, that can provide evidence to back up your version of events. Earlier this year, a cyclist in Denver successfully used GPS data to refute a false version of events given my the driver who hit him. The full story is here.
There are apps for most smartphones that can do this so you don’t even need to buy a dedicated GPS in many cases.
A few weeks ago, I witnessed a very similar accident to my own 8 years previously. I made sure that I stopped and gave a business card to the victim, and later filled in the witness statement for I was sent. Hopefully I’ve paid back the kind deed of the postman who helped me out.
I should also add that I use a helmet camera too. The quality isn’t great, but it may come in useful one day, whether I’m in an accident or just on the receiving end of aggressive behaviour by another road user.
It’s a MD80 Mini DV cam and was about £15. It came with helmet mounting fixtures too.
I’m a driver involved in a accident cyclist riding on a cycle on a path I’ve always been aware of cyclist push and motor husband does both so I pulled into the middle of the rd as it was clear to give him room he came straight off the path hit me straight on I called an ambulance left the car parked with my so terrified he said his chain come off witnesses heard no police turned up I was too shook up to get statements the police have since apologised internal complaint he’s now changed his police statement totally different I’m left out of pocket as bikes don’t need insurance and now fighting it in court next month no win no fee should be re looked at its too easy he’s nothing to loose, everyone I know who cycles wouldn’t refuse to pay some sort of insurance for third parties
Hi Matt,
Claims can still be made in such a scenario via the Motor Insurance Bureau http://www.mib.org.uk/Home/en/default.htm under their untraced drivers agreement.
The most important thing about any road traffic collision is to call the police if you have been injurted, no matter how minor it may appear at the time, because if the vehicle is subsequently uninsured or untraced a claim can still be pursued. Having teh police notified will make things easier.
From your comments Matt, you can and should still be making a claim, particularly with scarring as you have described.. For an untraced matter there is a 9 month limitation period.
If you want some further information or advice please do email me direct.
Dave
Hi I could do with some advice. My case is not like most. And now I don’t enjoy cycling anymore. due to the lack of care and respect to the cyclists. Our value is 0 in the eyes of the law. Sadly I’ve never felt so down hearted over the fact, as we are the ones that are helping the environment
James – one of the links in the article does cover your points.
As a general rule, speeding is not an act of hegligence that can be proved. Furthermore, just because one is speeding does not also mean that they were negligent.
Dave,
Sorry, didn’t spot that. Excellent checklist, and probably worth carrying a printed copy in one’s bike bag just in case the worst happens.
HI guys
It may be stating the obvious, but if you cycle a lot, the chances are that sooner or later you will have an accident.
But even if you only hit the streets once a month you can be unlucky.
If you are a member of a cycling club, from the local right up to the national, it is very likely you could be either insured for legal costs, or have access to a specialist legal firm such as Dave’s.
For a very small annual membership cost, this could be very well worth considering.
Have a Merry (and safe) Christmas,
Mike
good post, surely will come in handy for many people
Very timely article as today is 3 months since my accident. If you have been injured my best tip is to keep a daily journal describing how you feel and what problems you are experiencing directly as a result of the collision. I will be taking this journal when I get to see the nominated doctor. My bike was a write off but I had no joy with an interim payment 🙁
Talking to my brief I was shocked by what you could claim for and if it was your negligence you have sufficient cover? I have since joined the CTC 🙂
Yes, always worth keeping a journal or pain diary. When you go to a medical examination as part of a claim it’s your opportunity to tell the medical expert exactly how you feel and what impact the accident has had on you. The more you tell them the more that they can potentially put in the medical report.
As a general rule, when making a claim one will need to have support for any losses, even the pain suffering and loss of amenity. The medical report is a vitally important document in evidencing and confirming (or not) the reasonableness of any losses.
It is also true that as a cyclist you may be fully or partly responsible for an accident. So, if you are partly responsible and that part has resulting in damage to another or their property, they may claim from you.
The majority of cyclists are not insured and if a claim is made against you, it’s likely to come out of your pocket if you do not have any cover on any pther financial agreements that you have. Cover against third party claims is something all cyclists should consider.
ETA insurance offer it as standard and at very reasonable rates. I’m sure Andreas has bloged about insurance products before.
All Great advice here. One thing tho from personal experience is that the statute of limitations is only 3 years. I was in a long-winded negotiation with an Insurance Co after a serious bike accident with a 21 seater minibus and they found ways of drawing it out, making an offer that expired days before the 3 yrs and then claimed it was timed out. I threatened to expose their shady way of dealing with such matters, so I was ok. Beware!
This shows the importance of being represented by a specialist firm of solicitors. Tony, if you were ready to settle before the 3 years there is nothing stopping you from making a settlement offer on similar terms and as soon as it expires, litigate.
The limitation is 3 years from the date of the accident or 3 years from your 18th birthday if you’re a minor. In that time the claim either needs to be settled or court proceedings need to be issued or you will become statute barred from bringing a claim. If one is not ready to seetle at the 3 year anniversary of the accident then issue court proceedings to protect your position and then ask the court for a stay.
Though the accident was not my fault, I was counter-sued for contributory negligence because I wasn’t wearing a helmet…. There’s a lesson.
Hi John,
I really can’t believe what I’m reading? If you’re riding along minding your own business and someone in a car hits you, and it’s their fault, how can they sue you for not wearing a helmet? If it was a 4×4 hitting a mini metro, would they sue the metro driver for not driving a more robust vehicle that was able to withstand the impact? Perhaps you should have been wearing a suit of armour or full motorbike leathers? What is the world coming to? Insurers really will do anything it seems so to avoid meeting their responsibilities, it’s appalling. I’m very sorry to hear your experience. Hope youngest sorted soon.
I’ve been knocked off recently, was not wearing a cycle hat but did not suffer a head injury other than brief spell of unconscious. Injury was lower back.
Was in an accident in london earlier this week.
Riding around a small/med roundabout – effectively going straight ahead. To do this i had to pass other exits/entrances. As i got to one of those, the previously stationary car pulled out and hit me, knocking me off the bike.
No series injuries – bruises and scrapes.
Bike and clothing not so good – rear wheel badly buckled and crank bent. Bike obviously off the road which is very fraustrating.
Would like to get some advice from Dave Escandell if possible.
I was riding on a pavement because the road was busy. I had my hands over the brakes and riding slowly. As I approached a junction I saw a driver parked up waiting to emerge he was looking around but failed to see me and collided into me. His front bumper collided into me hitting my right leg and knocking me off my bicycle. I had to shout and physically hit my hand on the bonnet to gain his attention. He failed to stop and drove off. I hurt my lower leg as it was bruised and had back pains from falling off my bike. The defendent is denying all responsibility and says that he gave me way and nothing happened. The claim will probably have to go to court. Who is at fault here?
I was knocked off my bike by a van coming from a side road. he admitted that he had not cleared his windscreen properly, gave me his name, address and postcode and I have an excellent description of him. He has since denied being involved in the accident, what are my chances of winning a claim against him.
So I was hit by a company car driver 2 weeks ago. I have type 1 diabetes. I injured my leg which is very dangerous in my case cause it takes a lot more time to heal. The injury is not visible. I have not been to the A&E yet. My glucose reading was fine that morning and I can prove it with my reading device. The driver admitted liability and his company’s insurer contacted me today and asked me if I had any personal injury. I said nothing. Now I don’t want to milk anyone so to speak but I did get hurt and also my bicycle is damaged beyond repairable. Also I got my bike from a friend who is coming back next year to finish his last year’s course so I don’t have any receipts for purchase but I will have to get a new bike for my friend. What should I do? I am yet to call the insurance company back because I wanted to take some time to figure out what to do… Some advice would be much appreciated indeed.
Hi Victor,
I would recommend putting your details in the form above in the article and getting a call back from Cams who can advise what to do next. I would personally be wary of speaking to the insurance company because they will never have your interests at heart, and simply want to settle for the cheapest way possible rather then caring how you are etc
Hi, I had an accident similar to yours 3month ago. Liability accepted by car driver insurers. My solicitor is workin on personal injury and losses/damages claims. My solicitor insists the best I can expect for bike damage is value of bike immediately prior to accident. £300 is what he expects ins. co to offer for a bike that cost £700 2 years ago. Bike was immaculate. What was your experience of compensation for bike damage. If their was any justice I would have expected an equivalent new bike. Instead solicitor seems happy with .£300 offer even if it means I have to search ebay then travel, check and hopefully collect a similar bike. There seems to be no redress for the time it will take to get a replacement bike. Can you please tell me your experience with regard to compensation for losses if you have managed to settled your claim. Regards, Jules
Hi All
I have just entered into a personal injury claim using CAMS by entering my name and address above. I talked to Hanry who is a marvelous guy. Very friendly and supportive towards me. He took the necessary details and forwarded to CAMS. CAMS called the defendant and got his insurance details, even though the defendant changed his tune, CAMS solicitors have proceeded with a claim on a ‘no win no fee’ basis. I had pictures of my injuries and damaged items.
Although, this hasn’t come to a conclusion yet, Hanry from Lunarcycles.co.uk and Jamie from CAMS have been instrumental on getting me back on a hired bike at no charge to me, as the confidence in the case means that the cost of hiring another bike will come from the defendant’s insurers. Can’t recommend these guys enough on the work done so far.
I also know exactly what to do the next time(if i’m capable of doing so).
Thanks Hanry and Jamie
Paresh
Well 18 months on, days before a court date, the defendant’s insurers settled out of court. I received £3100 in total including cost of of new bike and equipment.
Admittedly, there were some worrying points during the process. But very happy with the dealings i had with London cycles, CAMS, LunarCycles, doctors, and Armstrong Solicitors!
If you are a cyclist, digest this page before you have an accident.
Paresh
Hi Paresh,
Thanks for sharing your story – I’m going through the same process at the moment (with CAMS & Armstrongs, also started through Lunar cycles), and have been worried about how long it’s taking since it’s nearly a year since my accident.
Glad to hear that yours was sorted in the end – congrats! Just wondering as well whether you had a hire bike for the full 18 months?
All the best,
Amy
Hi Amy,
Sorry to hear of your accident. Hope you arent hurt too badly.
To update you further, im fitter, faster, safer and enjoy cycling much more now than pre accident.
My bicycle hire was for about 4-5 months. After this period, it was so uneconomical for the third party who thought they would lose the case so they forked out some money for a replacement bike and took the hired one back. I went and got a new bike as a result. The third party did eventually lose/concede so it was wise to do fork out the money for a new bike early on.
thats my own understanding of it
Regards
I am going through the same process as you, Paresh.
I was riding my Condor bike during the incident but luckily, they are also partners on this scheme. Otherwise I would have been more than happy to deal with Hanry at Lunar Cycles.
Important thing to note here: CAMS will not help you if you were not injured. They are interested only in pursuing injury claims sustained in bike accidents. If you want to recover money for your bike only, don’t bother. The annoying thing was in dealing with them was that I got conflicting messages from different people I spoke to at CAMS: one told me they would pursue bike only claim, another that they would not. It was disappointing.
Hi Lucia,
I’m sorry that you were disappointed by your experience with CAMS.
The truth is that we can take on claims whether the client has sustained an injury or not, however, this depends on the circumstances of the specific claim.
We are always happy to answer any questions our clients may have, whether they be specific to their case or just general ones regarding the process, you can do this by calling us using the number on our website.
Thank you for your feedback, I will personally see to it that our claims handlers are better informed to give you the correct information in future.
Kind Regards
James Slater
I like to cycle for many reasons, seen a lot of drivers driving without due care. Sadly no one cares for the cyclists.
But. I can assure you all, if you are a cyclists and you have been in an accident. Seeking help or advice from this page is the best thing you can do.
These people really do care for the cyclists, fast response too.
Don’t hesitate to leave contact details for London Cyclist as I know they will not hesitate to get back to you.
My son was caused to fall off his bike on a cycle path by two illegal off road motorbikes who obviously should not have been there. Injury resulted in broken bone, an operation, a 7 inch scar on shoulder, missed holiday to Spain and plenty of immediate and future discomfort.
What can be done in case like this? Criminal injuries compensation will not cover it.
Thanks for any advice.
My daughter was knocked off her bike by an insured motorist. She has witnesses, and she called the police and has an incident number. At the scene the police said they were going to prosecute the driver but weeks later decided not to. My daughter contacted the drivers insurance company direct and was told that the driver was denying that the accident was her fault. The driver came from a side road in to a main road and drove in to the back of my daughter’s bike. My daughter has sent witness statement, police incident no., invoice for repair to bike direct to the driver’s insurance company and after a couple of months of corresponding with my daughter, of which all correspondence has been purely factual and not emotive the insurance company has now said that she must have legal representation to take the claim any further. Because she is being totally fair and only claiming for a back wheel that she had replaced, £60, she does not want the added, unnecessary expense of instructing a solicitor and none o the ‘no win no fee’ firms want to get involved as there are no costly personal injuries being claimed for. Is it possible/lawful to persue the claim on her own?
Any assistance would be gratefully received.
Hi, I have recently been involved in a bike accident. The police are charging the driver who hit me with dangerous driving. Do I need to do anything else at this point?
Hi,
I was hit by an Uber car in November. It was the passenger’s fault, she opened the door and threw me off my bike completely. I hit my head, went to A&E and they said I suffered a light concussion. Which still every now and then makes me dizzy. I was wondering whether it is possible to claim any money from Uber? If so, do you know what I need to do? Or is it too late?
Thank you.
I was involved in a serious accident 2 months ago, when I apparrantly fell off my bike at speed into the path of an oncoming car. I was nearly killed and was unconscious for 2 weeks. Now beenin hospital 8 weeks with numerous injuries.The police feel the motorist was not at fault. I will not be able to drive now and will need care to cope at home and wont be able to work any more. Seems like life has collapsed.