How Much Can I Claim if Knocked Off My Bike?
How much settlement damages you may receive following a bicycle accident can depend on several factors, including the accident and your injuries. Being knocked off your bike can cause injuries like wrist fractures, whiplash and shoulder dislocations. The value of a bicycle claim will primarily rely on the extent of your injuries and their impact on your life. For example, amputating one leg could award you £111,100, while bowel impairment can pay damages of £71,500. Find out more about leg injuries from a bike accident.
For more information on compensation payouts for being knocked off your bike, please visit our cyclist accident compensation calculator.
Knocked Off Bike Statistics
A high percentage of cycle claims where cyclists are knocked off their bikes occur on busy city roads where everyone is rushing to their destination as quickly as possible. Cyclists being knocked off their bikes and claiming compensation is on the rise. In fact, in a recent article, there are 25 near misses of cyclists nearly being knocked off their bikes every year in the UK. That statistic is staggering when you think of the potential damage and injury to the cyclist, which could sadly even end in a fatal accident.
Furthermore, many collisions with lorries occur every year. Between 2008-2014 in London, 94% of fatal crashes with lorries happened on the front left side, a frequent area for bikers to collide with as it is the driver’s blind spot. In the past few years, there has been an increasing awareness of the scope of a lorry’s blind spot. It is much bigger than people think, and cyclists need to be aware of this to avoid a potential collision. To minimise a crash, cyclists should not try to squeeze past a lorry in heavy traffic.
How to Avoid Being Knocked Off Your Bike
Whether you are a professional cyclist or use your bicycle to go to and from work, you are much more vulnerable to vehicles as you are entirely open to the elements. You can take several steps to reduce the chances of being knocked off your bike or soften the injury severity if an accident occurs. Here’s what you should do to make yourself less vulnerable on the roads:
- Be fully aware of traffic around you at all times.
- Have a light on your bike in the dark and wear reflective clothing
- Be aware of dangers and ride with anticipation of the dangers ahead
- Check the weather forecast and plan ahead
- Take extra precautions when passing parked cars in case occupants open a door.
- Ride with traffic, not against it
- Be alert at all times, reducing distractions such as earphones
- Cycle with a friend to boost your visibility to others and for support if an accident occurs
- Be ready to give way at a moment’s notice in case drivers fail to
- Choose a cycle-friendly route, such as bike lanes and wide roads
- Follow road rules and signs, such as stopping at red lights and not turning into streets you shouldn’t
- Wear padded and protective clothing, including a helmet, gloves and thick pants
What to Do After Knocked Off Bike
No matter what measures you take to protect yourself, there, unfortunately, remains the possibility that you will be knocked off your bike due to someone else’s actions. If you are knocked off your bike, it’s helpful to know beforehand what you can do to recover from your injuries and maximise your chances of compensation.
Here’s some advice on what to do after being knocked of your bike:
- Immediately after an accident, you should get yourself and others to a safe place away from the road to prevent another accident
- Call the emergency services even if your injuries are not yet prevalent, and especially do so if there remains a road hazard to others.
- Following your bicycle accident, you should seek medical attention for your injuries ASAP to gain a clear indication of the impact.
- Collect visual evidence of your injuries and damage to your bike and personal property
- Take the names and contact information of witnesses at the scene
- Let the police know about the accident if they have not yet been called – this should be an earlier priority if the bike accident scene requires an emergency response
- Consider what legal options are available to you and appoint a firm to manage your case
- Avoid apologising or admitting any partial blame as this could be used against you by the other party
- Co-operate with your bike accident solicitors to explain how the accident came to be and who is responsible
- Your solicitors may require further assessments by a medical professional to examine the full extent of your injuries and provide a reliable valuation
- Specialist bike accident solicitors will work with leading medical and rehabilitation professionals to aid your recovery
- A Claim Notification Form will be submitted to the other party – they then must decide whether to accept or deny the blame
- If liability is accepted, then the two parties will negotiate a bicycle settlement, or it will transfer to a court where a judge will make a decision
- After a bicycle accident claim has been settled, if you have won your case, then the other party’s insurance company will pay out the awarded damages
Will Not Wearing Safety Equipment Affect My Bike Compensation?
As we mentioned above, there are a few steps you can take to avoid being knocked off your bike. One of the best ways to avoid a bike accident is to avoid safety equipment. Essential equipment includes helmets, reflective clothing, padded gloves and trousers, and lights. Some of these measures are not legal requirements. For example, cyclists don’t need to wear a safety helmet, unlike motorcyclists. However, they can be highly effective at reducing accidents and their severity.
Even if you don’t take steps to protect yourself, someone may still be held responsible for causing an accident involving you. Therefore, we highly recommend you make a bike compensation claim no matter what. Your compensation, however, will likely be affected if the other party can prove you are at least partially responsible for your injuries. If this is the case, contributory negligence will be used to determine how much compensation should be awarded. For example, a head injury is one of the most severe injuries you can have after being knocked off your bike, but a safety helmet will significantly reduce the risk of severe injury. If it’s agreed your injuries were worsened by not wearing a helmet, you would still likely receive compensation but at a lower amount due to the contributory negligence.
What Are the Most Common Injuries?
Cyclists may suffer various injuries after being knocked off their pedal bikes. The injuries sustained, and their severity can vary depending on multiple factors, including the speed at impact, protective clothing, and the nature of the fall. Injuries can range from minor bruising to broken bones and, most seriously, a severe head injury.
Some of the most common injuries after being knocked off your bike can include:
- Spinal injuries
- Wrist and elbow fractures
- Broken arms, legs and feet
- Joint dislocation
- Facial injuries such as teeth damage or lacerations
- Cuts and bruises, particularly around the joints
- Neck injuries
- Soft tissue injuries like sprains and strains
- Head injuries, including brain damage and concussions
Healing and Rehabilitation: How to Recover from Your Bike Accident
One of the most important steps after an accident and being knocked off your bike is to recover physically and mentally. That’s why it’s recommended you appoint a solicitor firm so you can focus on recovering while your solicitors handle the legal work needed to submit your claim. Plus, your solicitors will help you get the support to heal, including financial assistance and access to helpful services. For example, we work with various treatment and rehabilitation providers to help our clients recover.
Recovering from a bike accident can be challenging, but with the right approach and resources, you can heal and begin to live the life you want. Below are some tips we recommend to ensure you fully recover after you’ve been knocked off your bike.
- Get Plenty of Rest: Your body needs time to recover after an injury. It’s imperative that you get ample rest and avoid any strenuous activities, especially in the first few weeks. Accept any help that family and friends can provide, such as chores like cooking, cleaning, and shopping. While it might be frustrating, it will help your body recover in the long run and prevent your injuries from worsening. Don’t exercise or start undergoing strenuous activities until your medical professional has advised you.
- Eat Well: Don’t let your nutrition and hydration nosedive following your accident. If anything, it’s even more essential that you get enough food and drink to keep your energy levels up and ensure you get enough protein to rebuild core muscles and bones. You should also drink plenty of water and avoid too much caffeine and alcohol.
- Embrace Rehabilitation: When you undergo physical rehabilitation, you will recover from your injuries and return to a normal routine quickly and more effectively. Go into your physical therapy with a positive mindset and focus on the end goal. Remember that it won’t be a straight path, and you might encounter bumps along the way, but set small, achievable goals and celebrate every bit of progress you make. This is a crucial step that will help you recover normal functions slowly, so take your time and be open with your physiotherapist about any concerns.
- Consider Counselling: We live in a time where it’s okay and normal to open up about our mental health. You don’t have to put on a brave face. A bike accident can significantly impact your mental health because of the extent of your injuries, the disruption to your lifestyle and being unable to enjoy riding your bike. Don’t be afraid to book an appointment with a therapist or a support group where you can address the emotional and psychological impact of your accident.
- Practice Self-Care: Now is the perfect time to practice self-care and focus on yourself. Do the things that make you feel happy and relaxed, like getting a massage, watching a film, or reading a book in the sun. There are lots of things you can do without it being too strenuous.
- Return to Your Bike: When you have healed emotionally and physically, it’s time to return to your bike. This can be scary for cyclists who have been knocked off, so take it slowly and seek encouragement from others. You might want to ride with another person alongside you at first or speak to a therapist if you have developed a fear. Most of all, don’t let the accident knock your confidence and stop you doing from what you love. Reflect on the incident and see if there’s anything you can do to prevent it from happening again, such as wearing reflective clothing. With time and proper care, you will recover and can enjoy cycling once again.
6 Reasons Why You Might Need a Cycle Lawyer
1. Pot Holes!
UK roads are crumbling. The local government has no money to repair the potholes, and all road users are suffering. There have been 4,200 claims for pothole damage to vehicles and bicycles so far, and the average repair bill is £1,000 or £1 million per month.
2. The Most Common Types of Bike Accidents
Motorists tend to be the culprit here, causing serious or fatal injuries to cyclists. We all know the story of who comes off worse. The car driver may say that the cyclist was overtaking before the junction or going too fast. A good solicitor will help you analyse the evidence to your advantage.
3. Oil on the Road
Oil deposits on the road surface are often due to accident spillages from a faulty lorry, or where there has been an accident and the police have failed to adequately clean up the wreckage and oil deposits. If there is a known source of complaint, your solicitor can go directly against the party who caused the spillage.
4. Manslaughter for Pedal Cyclists?
Have you ever thought that you may also kill someone with a pedal bike? This is possible, and this was the fate of a cyclist in recent years who was convicted of ‘causing bodily harm by wanton or furious driving’ when the cyclist was travelling at speed knowing there were no front brakes.
5. Compensation for Cycle Payouts
Nothing can turn back the clock on what happened. The experience may help you avoid a similar accident in the future, but you can never guarantee this. Therefore, the best thing to do is make the most of any compensation that comes your way.
6. No Win, No Fee, No Worry
We offer our clients a No Win, No Fee service, so you have nothing to worry about by taking action. Please contact us for expert legal advice.
Compensation Examples for Cyclists Knocked off Their Bikes
We do our best to provide advice and explain different scenarios, but often, the best way to understand how much compensation you might receive is by exploring real-life examples. Below are a few compensation examples involving cyclists knocked off their bikes.
Cyclists Wins £6.1m in Damages
One of the most alarming examples involves a South Korean man who received life-changing injuries after being knocked off his bike. The victim, an architect living in the UK for more than 20 years, was knocked off his bike when a driver in the opposite direction turned across his path. He endured severe injuries, including brain injuries and facial fractures, leaving him unable to work and requiring round-the-clock care. The driver was only charged with careless driving, resulting in a £146 fine and five penalty points. However, the victim successfully won a compensation claim in which he received £6.1m in damages, one of the largest amounts awarded.
The defendant argued the cyclist was wholly or partly responsible for his injuries because he didn’t wear a cycling helmet or visible clothing, and the bike had no front light. However, the cyclist’s solicitors submitted evidence that disputed this argument. An accident reconstruction expert found that the area was well-lit and that the accident could have been prevented if the motorist had driven within the speed limit and looked properly. A consultant neurosurgeon also confirmed that as most of the injuries affected the victim’s face, a cycling helmet wouldn’t have made a difference.
Start Your Claim for Knocked Off Bike by Car Compensation
“Hundreds of cyclists are involved in collisions and near misses whilst cycling every year in the UK. Most of the time, these victims are entitled to pursue a compensation claim.”
If you have been knocked off your bike by a vehicle whilst cycling, then you may be entitled to pursue a personal injury claim with national solicitors. As specialist bike accident claims solicitors, we have a very high success rate in claiming compensation if you have been knocked off your bike. As it is common that cyclists are not aware of their rights, at R. James Hutcheon Solicitors, we can provide specialist legal advice anywhere in the UK to inform you and help guide you back on track as quickly as possible.
Get in touch with us today to discover your compensation options for being knocked off your bike by a car.
