Avid cyclist and personal injury specialist, Alex Barley, talks us through what to do if you get knocked off your bike.
With an ever-growing number of cyclists on the roads, more accidents between cyclists and vehicles will inevitably occur. Unfortunately, as a regular cyclist and personal injury solicitor, I know this only too well.
Fortunately, the number of accidents involving cyclists that resulted in fatalities or injuries has not risen as fast as cycle traffic. While that’s a positive, there are still many hundreds of cyclists involved in road traffic accidents each year.
So, in my experience, preparing for the worst is the best course of action. On this page, I outline what to do if you’re knocked off your bicycle by a car or other vehicle.
Alternatively, if there wasn’t a car involved, and you’ve been injured due to the condition of the road, you can check out our other guide: I fell off my bicycle due to a pothole, what should I do?
What to do if you’re knocked off your bicycle by a car
1. Identify the driver who caused the bike accident
Although you will likely be shaken up and in pain, it is important to try to get as much information as possible about the driver who caused the collision. If the driver stops and gets out of the car, you should:
- Ask for their name, address and car insurance details
- Write down a description of the driver
- Record their registration number and the colour and make of their car
- Take a picture of the car, if possible
If the driver does not get out of the car, or if they won’t give any details, make sure to jot down their registration number or take a picture of the car at the first opportunity.
If you give your details to the driver, you may be contacted by their insurance company. Do not get involved in discussing the accident with the insurance company. Leave this down to a personal injury solicitor, who can support you through your claim and get you the best outcome possible.
2. Get contact details of any witnesses
If there was anyone who saw the accident, such as pedestrians or other road users, make a note of their contact details. Witnesses can help establish the facts and provide a valuable source of evidence for your claim.
3. Take photos of the accident scene
Along with contact details of witnesses, obtain any photos, videos or dash cam footage of the accident. Take photos of anything that has been damaged, along with any photos of injuries you have sustained and the accident scene showing the position of the vehicles.
4. Keep any evidence of the accident
Keep any damaged items safe for inspection. Not all damage is visible so we would recommend that you take your bicycle to a reputable repair shop to be assessed. They can provide you with a brief report of the damage caused and the cost of fixing or replacing any damaged components. Your solicitors will be able to recover these costs for you if fault can be established on the part of the driver.
Remember if you hit your head, your helmet will need replacing after it has been used for evidence, along with any other clothing and accessories that were damaged. If you do not have the original receipts, obtain details of the cost of equivalent replacement items.
5. Contact the police
Report the accident to the police as soon as you are able, or at least within 24 hours. The police will give you a reference number and this can be used as evidence in the bicycle accident claim.
6. Make a GP appointment for any injuries
Although you may not think your injuries require medical attention, we recommend seeing a GP or nurse following any collision with a vehicle. Make an appointment at your local Doctors Practice, at a Walk-In Centre, or through A&E.
A healthcare professional will ensure there is no further damage and the appointment can again be used as evidence in the claim. If you do require treatment of any kind, keep a record of any letters or prescriptions. Your solicitor may also be able to arrange treatment that you need, such as physiotherapy, so you do not have to wait for NHS appointments.
7. Contact a solicitor
Now you have gathered all the important bits of evidence, it is time to contact an expert in personal injury law. You need a solicitor with experience in cycling accidents – someone who you can trust to guide you through each step of your claim.
This is where we can help. Our solicitors have many years’ worth of experience, both as lawyers and cyclists, which proves invaluable through the support, advice and representation they provide.
Can I make a compensation claim after being knocked off my bike?
Yes, you can make a claim for compensation if you’ve been knocked off your bike and injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault.
You have three years from the date of the accident to make a claim, but we recommend starting as soon as possible. If you have not been able to gather all of the evidence mentioned above, don’t worry, our solicitors will be happy to discuss the accident with you and help gather evidence.
How much can I claim?
Following a collision with a car, cyclists can make a claim for compensation. The exact amount of compensation will vary depending on the severity of your injury and damage to your property, so it can range from hundreds of pounds to tens of thousands. Your solicitor will discuss the likely compensation figure with you during an initial assessment.
Need legal advice after being hit by a car on your bike?
Give us a call today on 0161 969 3131 or fill in this contact form and one of the team will be in touch. We work on a no-win, no-fee claims basis so you really have nothing to lose.