£6,500 settlement for cyclist hit by a car in a cycle lane

A familiar route that took a nasty turn

On 5th September 2021, MD Imdaaul Hoq was cycling in the cycle lane along Mile End Road in East London, on his way to collect some shopping from his local market when he was struck off his bicycle. The driver of a car on the public highway, travelling alongside Mr Hoq, turned left and failed to stop or check the cycle lane before driving across it and subsequently hitting Mr Hoq. The force of the impact knocked Mr Hoq off his bicycle and he landed on the left-hand side of his body onto the pavement on the side of the road.

“I was cycling along the cycle lane of a busy main road near my home when a car suddenly turned left without stopping and hit me. At first, after the impact, the car didn’t stop, but the driver eventually came back to speak to me and apologise. Bystanders helped me and moved me to a more comfortable position, they also called the emergency services.”

“I was cycling along the cycle lane of a busy main road near my home when a car suddenly turned left without stopping and hit me.”

Mr Hoq recalled the moments shortly after the impact: “I was in a lot of pain, particularly down the left-hand side of my body. I especially remember a lot of pain in my left hand. We waited over an hour for the ambulance to arrive, but they were very busy so another bystander kindly drove me to The Royal London Hospital in his car. I spoke with the police on the phone and gave them the driver’s registration number, but they didn’t attend the scene.”

Once at the hospital, Mr Hoq was examined by doctors and had x-rays to help identify his injuries. It was discovered he had sustained a fracture in his left arm and his left index finger. He also suffered a soft tissue injury on his left hand where the skin had been cut open during his fall. He also had muscular injuries on the left-hand side of his neck and his back.

“After spending around four to five hours in the hospital I was prescribed painkillers and other medications to help my injuries. Doctors were worried I may contract an infection in my hand where the skin had broken, so they gave me medication to help prevent that from happening. After waiting for my x-ray results and speaking with the doctor, I went back home.”

Three months off work and strict instructions to rest

Due to his injuries and levels of pain, Mr Hoq had almost three months off of work. His fractured arm wasn’t put into a cast or sling and he received strict instructions from his GP to rest and not lift anything heavy.

“Staying home for three months was very boring. I couldn’t work, so I wasn’t getting an income to support my family. I couldn’t help my wife, who was still going to work every day, to help care for our young daughter because I was in so much pain. It was very frustrating not being able to take my daughter to the park or out for the day like I used to, I just had to stay home.”

“It was very frustrating not being able to take my daughter to the park or out for the day like I used to, I just had to stay home.”

When asked for a recent update on his recovery, Mr Hoq says he still experiences pain; “I’m ok but when I try to lift anything heavy or try to pick up my two-year-old daughter, I feel pain mostly in my back and down the left-hand side of my body. Sometimes I just can’t pick her up, which is really frustrating.”

My injuries forced me to find a new job

Mr Hoq initially tried to return to his job working as a Customer Services Advisor at Nandos, but he had to resign after one month as he couldn’t perform any heavy lifting, which was part of the role. Mr Hoq was left seeking a less physically demanding job and he now works for WGC in Customer Services which involves working from a desk.

“I just couldn’t do any of the lifting my old job required me to do, so I had to find a job that was much less physical. My new role means I can continue working in customer service but be office based.”

Express solicitors gave me the support I needed

When asked why he chose Express Solicitors, Mr Hoq explained; “I found them through a Google search some days after my accident. I was looking for the ‘best solicitors in the UK for personal injury claims’ when their name popped up. After looking through their website and speaking with friends who also looked into the company, I felt they would be a good fit for me. I reached out to Express Solicitors and explained my situation and once Rob was assigned to my case, everything was dealt with so quickly.”

“I reached out to Express and explained my situation and once Rob was assigned to my case, everything was dealt with so quickly.”

We asked Mr Hoq about his experience with Express Solicitors; “They were very good, once Rob took over everything was sorted within a few months and I was really happy with this. He communicated updates with me and explained things that I didn’t understand. Whenever I left a voicemail or sent an email, Rob would always call me back quickly to answer my questions. He handled the case really well and I feel like I got the support I needed.”

Mr Hoq felt he had to seek compensation after losing his income for such a long period of time

Mr Hoq felt he had to seek compensation after losing his income for such a long period of time.

“At first, I didn’t know how long I was going to be out of work and I had bills to pay. It was a scary time after losing my working hours and struggling to cover living costs. I had no money coming in and the accident wasn’t my fault. I was in the cycle lane, the correct lane, when a car drove into me, I wasn’t doing anything wrong. I had multiple injuries over my body so I felt it was right to seek a claim.”

“I had no money coming in and the accident wasn’t my fault.”

The compensation payment helped the family to cover living costs.

Mr Hoq was able to put his compensation settlement to good use.

“The money went on living expenses and bills that we had struggled to pay. It gave me and my family some financial stability back which was very much needed.”