How much is my bicycle accident worth and what factors will increase the compensation I can claim?
Bicycle accidents
Cyclist are extremely vulnerable road users and when accidents occur they can result in very serious injuries being suffered.
If you have been involved in a bicycle accident and have sustained an injury as a result then you may be entitled to a claim for compensation. Find out where you stand by calling our free legal helpline.
Common causes of bicycle accidents
- Drivers failing to leave enough space for the cyclist while overtaking;
- Drivers failing to pay adequate attention to the road;
- Drivers failing to check their blindspot before pulling away; and
- Poorly maintained roads and dangerous potholes.
Common types of bicycle accident injury
- Lacerations;
- Bruising;
- Broken bones;
- Head injuries;
- Scarring;
- Soft tissue injuries; and
- Psychological symptoms.
What should I do if I have been involved in a bicycle accident?
If you have been involved in a bicycle accident with another road user you should take their full name, their insurance details, registration plate and contact details. If your injuries are serious, the accident should also be reported to the police.
If your accident was the result of a pothole or other road defect, you should take photographs of the pothole or defect and report the accident to the council as soon as possible.
How much is my bicycle accident worth?
This is a very common question. The compensation that can be claimed in each case will be different and will depend upon both the severity of your injuries and any financial losses you have incurred. Although we cannot provide exact figures for your particular claim in a brief article like this, please see below some guidelines that have been determined by Judges for injuries that commonly arise in bicycle accidents (figures accurate as at June 2020):
| Injuries suffered | Compensation | Description of injury |
| Minor injuries | A few hundred pounds – £2,150 | Towards the lower end of the bracket a recovery will be made within 7 days, towards the higher end of the bracket a recovery will be made within 3 months. |
| Shoulder injuries | £4,830 –  £11,490 | The level of the award will depend on extent of fracture, level of disability, residual symptoms, whether temporary or permanent, and whether union is anatomically displaced. |
| Wrist injuries | £3,310 – £22,990 | This bracket can range from soft tissue injuries/minimally displaced fractures of the wrist up to more significant injuries whereby there is some permanent disability. |
| Back injuries | £2,000 – £11,730 | This bracket includes less serious strains, sprains, disc prolapses, soft tissue injuries, or fracture injuries which recover without surgery. |
| Hip injuries | £3,000 – £24,950 | This bracket can range from minor soft tissue injuries up to fractures the hip whereby a total hip replacement is required. |
| Leg Injuries | Up to £11,110 | This bracket will include simple fractures to Tibia or Fibula or soft tissue injuries |
| Head injuries (minor brain damage) | £2,070-£11,980 | In these cases brain damage, if any, will have been minimal. The level of award will depend on the severity of the injuries, the period of recovery, the extent of continuing symptoms and the presence of headaches. |
| Dermatitis and other skin conditions | £1,500 – £3,460 | An individual may experience Itching, irritation and/or rashes but once treatment is administered it resolves within a few months |
| Psychological injury | £1,350 – £16,720 | The amount of compensation provided will be determined by the extent to which sleep, and daily activities were affected, as well as the length of the period of disability. An individual may also experience issues with regards to future vulnerability, their relationships, and their ability to cope with work and life. |
| Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder | £3,460 – £20,290 | An individual will make a full recovery within one to two years and only minor symptoms will persist over any longer period |
| Scarring | £1,500 – £85,340 | This bracket can range from trivial scarring up to severe scarring where the worse effects have been or will be reduced by plastic surgery. |
To get a better idea of what your particular bicycle accident is worth please call our free legal helpline.
What could prevent me claiming compensation for my bicycle accident?
There are strict time limits on bringing a compensation claim for personal injury. An adult victim must either settle their claim or issue Court proceedings prior to the third anniversary of the incident giving rise to their injuries. It is therefore important that you speak to a specialist lawyer as soon as you suspect there is a potential problem.
How can we help with your bicycle accident
Almost all the bicycle accident claims we deal with are funded on a No Win, No Fee basis. This means that if you are unsuccessful in your claim, you will not be required to pay any legal fees.
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, please contact our free legal helpline for a case assessment on 0808 139 1592 or send an email to us at [email protected]
