The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents confirms that in 2016, 18,477 cyclists were injured in reported road accidents in the UK of which 3,499 were killed or seriously injured.
It has been established that per one billion vehicle miles, 1,011 pedal cyclists are killed or seriously injured in comparison to only 26 car drivers. Their investigations found that:
- 75% of fatal or serious cyclist accidents occur in urban areas.
- Around half of cyclist fatalities occur on rural roads
- 75% happen at, or near, a road junction.
- In London, Hospital data shows that over 40% of cyclists, and 45% of child cyclists, suffer significant head injuries as a result of cycling accidents.
What to do if you are in an accident
Unfortunately, cyclists are very vulnerable on the road and it is important to know what to do following an accident in order to pursue a claim for personal injuries.
Following an accident it is important (if possible) to:
- Move the occupants and vehicles/bicycle to a safe position.
- Call the Police and the Ambulance service if you are injured.
- Give a detailed account to the Police Officers and ensure you take note of their name, badge number and incident number.
The most important thing to do is to obtain details of the Defendant including name, details of their vehicle including vehicle registration number. If possible take a picture of the vehicle and number plate as well as the scene of the accident with your mobile phone/camera.
If there are witnesses, some of who may assist you, take their names and contact details as they may be very important to the outcome of your claim.
It is very important to visit your GP or the Hospital even if your injuries are minor.
The driver didn’t stop, what now?
Unfortunately, some drivers may not stop at the scene. If this happens, this does not mean you will not be able to claim. The Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) provides compensation to victims who are injured by hit and run drivers and/or by uninsured drivers.
My accident was as a result of a road defect
Cycling accidents also occur as a result of defects in the road. If you are involved in an accident caused by a pothole or other defect in the road it is essential to take photographs of the defect as soon as possible, before it gets repaired. It is extremely helpful to record the size and depth of the defect using a ruler or tape measure
. Claims for accidents caused by defects in the road are difficult to win. Even if you can show that the defect was a dangerous hazard, the highway authority may be able to establish that they had a reasonable system of inspection and repair in place and they may well avoid liability. It is always handy to obtain as much information at the outset as possible. Our guide to measuring street defects can be downloaded here.
Claiming for damage to personal belongings
Should you have suffered any other losses such as damage to clothing or personal belongings, it is good practice to keep receipts for repairs or replacements in order to recoup any losses at the conclusion of the claim. Take and keep photos of damage to your bicycle and property. Other losses may include medication, travel, lost earnings, time spent by friends and family providing care and assistance etc. You should keep a diary setting out the costs you have incurred and hours of care provided by friends and family as well as mileage driven as a result of the accident.
Many cyclists often use helmet cameras and these may contain essential evidence which may mean the difference between winning and losing a case so it’s important to keep hold of the footage and provide this to the Police and your Solicitor.
For information on recent cases we have won in relation to cycling accidents, you can read our blog post here.
Should you or anyone you know have been unfortunate enough to have been involved in an accident please do not hesitate to contact us on 0114 2184233 or email info@tayloremmet.co.uk.
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