Bicycle accident compensation claims solicitors
If you’ve been injured in a cycling accident that wasn’t your fault, our specialist solicitors can explain your legal rights and help you claim the compensation you deserve.
The most important things to remember when claiming for a cycling accident:
- Whether your cycling accident was caused by negligent driving or a poorly maintained road surface, you may be able to claim compensation if you’ve been involved in a bike accident that wasn’t your fault
- You will have up to three years from the date of your cycling accident or three years from the date a recognised medical professional diagnosed your injuries to start your claim
- Compensation settlements for injuries sustained following a bike accident can range from £1,500 for a minor facial injury to £350,000 for a severe head injury
- You can still claim if you’ve been hit by a hit-and-run, uninsured or untraceable driver.
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How long do I have to make a bicycle accident compensation claim?
You will have up to three years from the date of your cycling accident or three years from the date a recognised medical professional diagnosed your injuries to start your claim.
The three-year time limit does not apply if you claim for someone with limited mental capacity or if the injuries prevented them from claiming within three years.
You will have up to a child’s 21st birthday if you are claiming on behalf of a child involved in a cycling accident.
The three-year time limit to claim compensation for a bicycle accident is known as the Statute of Limitations and applies to all personal injury claims.
We recommend that you begin your claim as soon after your accident as possible, as we have the best chance of collecting all the evidence we need to mount the strongest case. Speak to our specialist no win no fee solicitors about your cycling accident today.
How much compensation can I claim for a cycling accident?
The amount of compensation you can claim for injuries caused by a cycling accident will depend on how serious your injuries are, the impact they may have on your life and your loved ones, and whether you’ve lost income or incurred expenses because of your accident.
Compensation settlements for injuries sustained following a bike accident can range from £1,500 for a minor facial injury to £350,000 for a severe head injury.
How much can I claim for a cycling accident?
Bicycle accident injury compensation claims calculator
Our bicycle accident injury claims calculator below provides an approximate guide to the amount of compensation you may be able to claim.
The calculator considers the part of your body you have injured and the severity of your injuries and provides an approximate compensation payout based on recent case law and the Judicial College Guidelines.
Alternatively, see our table of cycling accident compensation amounts at the bottom of this page.
Find out how much you could claim
Compensation amounts are estimated based on the level of injury below
These amounts only consider the compensation you could claim for your injuries, known as General Damages. In addition, to this amount, you can also claim for special damages.
Compensation for special damages can be claimed to cover expenses you may have already incurred or will incur because of your injury.
Compensation could be claimed for expenses that may include, but would not be limited to;
- A “like for like” replacement of your bike or fixing your bike
- A “like for like” replacement of any cycling equipment, such as your helmet and clothes damaged in your accident
- Any loss of income or pension
- Any medical costs associated with your rehabilitation or ongoing rehabilitation treatment, including physiotherapy or counselling
- Any costs for the care you may have or will need to receive, even if a family member or friend provides this
- Any out-of-pocket expenses you or anyone who has cared for you may have incurred
What our clients say
What evidence do I need to prove liability for a cycling accident claim?
The type of evidence that would be useful when claiming for a cycling accident may include the following:
- The date and time, and location of the accident
- Any details you can remember about the accident and who you think is to blame
- Any footage you may have of the accident from a helmet or body cam, CCTV, or dash cam
- Any photographs you may have taken at the scene of the accident
- Contact information for any eyewitnesses to the accident who may be able to provide a statement on your behalf
- Details of the medical treatment you received either at the scene or at a hospital or GP
The more evidence you can provide, the easier and quicker it may be to prove liability and claim the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Don’t worry if you don’t have all of this information. Our specialist road accident claim solicitors can help compile this information for you.
You’ll claim more with us.
We have recovered an additional £21.2m more in compensation for clients who switched to us from their previous firm.
Contact us now to discover the real value of your claim.
Can I make a no win no fee cycling accident claim?
Yes, you can. Our cycling injury compensation claims legal services are offered on a no win no fee basis. A no win no fee agreement fully protects the person claiming if the claim is unsuccessful and from any costs during the compensation claim process, meaning you can make a claim without paying a penny.
No win no fee agreements are also known as Conditional Fee Agreements (CFA). This agreement means that there is only a fee on the condition that you win your claim. It means you are safe to pursue a compensation claim knowing that you have no financial risk if it’s unsuccessful.
When your claim is successful, the other side (typically their insurer) pays most of the legal costs, and the law firm takes a pre-agreed fixed percentage of the compensation. This means you’d never be out of pocket when claiming.
In addition, we take out an insurance policy on your behalf, which protects you in the rare event the claim isn’t successful. This is known as an After The Event (ATE) insurance policy, which means you have no upfront costs and nothing to pay if you lose the case.
We provide unlimited legal advice at the outset of all claims, so don’t hesitate to contact us. We can assess your claim and explain the no win no fee process on our first call.
We provide unlimited legal advice at the outset of all claims, so don’t hesitate to contact us. We can assess your claim and explain the no win no fee process on our first call.
Can I claim for a cycling accident if the driver at fault isn’t insured?
Yes, you can still claim for your injuries even if the driver doesn’t have insurance. Similarly to hit-and-run cycling claims, these claims are handled by the Motor Insurance Bureau.
Can I make a bike accident compensation claim if the other vehicle didn’t stop?
You can still claim compensation if you were involved in a hit-and-run cycling accident claim. Hit-and-run claims can be made with the Motor Insurance Bureau, which specialises in claiming for road accidents when the party at fault can not be identified or is untraceable.
Can I make a cycling claim if the driver didn’t stop?
Can I claim for a cycling accident caused by a poor road surface?
You can make a claim against the local authority if the condition of the road surface is to blame for your accident. You may also be able to claim if your accident was caused by unclear road markings, missing road signs, or faulty traffic lights.
How long will my bicycle accident claim take to settle?
A relatively simple claim for minor injuries and when the other party admits liability could be settled in a few months. However, a claim relating to more serious injuries or where the other party doesn’t accept responsibility will take longer.
Speak to our specialist road accident solicitors today about your claim, and we can advise you on the length of time your claim may take.
Will I need to go to court for my bicycle accident claim?
A cycling accident claim will rarely have to go to court, as the vast majority of claims are settled out of court. Even if your claim goes to court, you may not be required to attend.
We understand the financial impact of an accident.
In 99% of cases, we recovered more compensation than the insurer’s first offer. We’ll provide financial security with our interim payments wherever possible, meaning you don’t need to rush into an offer that is lower than you’re legally entitled to.
Does not wearing a helmet impact my compensation?
In England, Wales, and Scotland, cyclists are not legally obligated to wear helmets, despite recommendations from the Highway Code and THINK! to do so. As a result, there’s no specific legislation suggesting that a lack of helmet will directly reduce compensation in cases of head injuries following an accident. However, when determining the compensation amount, the absence of a helmet can still be considered. This means that while you can still pursue a claim without having worn a helmet during the accident, the final compensation you receive may reflect this.
What if my bike didn’t have lights?
UK law mandates that all bicycles be equipped with white front lights, red rear lights during night-time, and a red rear reflector at all times. Bicycles produced after 1 October 1985 are also required to have amber pedal reflectors to increase visibility. Lack of proper lighting and reflectors can significantly decrease the visibility of your bicycle under low light conditions or in poor weather, potentially leading to accidents.
If an accident occurred during these conditions without your bicycle lights on, it’s possible that any compensation awarded could be adjusted accordingly if the lack of lighting contributed to the accident.
Can I make a bicycle accident claim if I was partly to blame?
Yes, you can still pursue a claim for compensation even if you share some of the responsibility for the accident. This is known as contributory negligence. It means that while you might have contributed to the cause of the accident, another party also played a part in the incident. In such cases, the compensation you receive can be adjusted to reflect your part in the collision.
Essentially, the final amount you receive might be reduced based on the degree of your responsibility. It’s important to understand that admitting partial fault doesn’t bar you from seeking compensation, but it will likely factor into the calculation of your claim’s value.
What are the most common causes of cycling accidents?
While towns and cities across Britain are becoming more cycle-friendly, accidents still happen. According to UK Government figures, between 2018 and 2022, 2 cyclists died and 81 were seriously injured per week in reported collisions on Britain’s roads. Though 70% of cycling traffic is in urban areas, over half of the reported fatalities in this period occurred on rural roads.
Unfortunately, many cycling accidents are often caused by the fault of other road users, particularly if they are not paying due care and attention. The most common examples of bike accidents include:
- Drivers turning into the cyclist’s path – for example, overtaking and then turning left into the path of the cyclist
- Failure to spot cyclists while changing lanes – if drivers are going at a much higher speed than the cyclist, they may not be able to slow down in time
- Reckless driving – driving competitively or under the influence may cause errors in judgement
- Pulling out of a junction – drivers may fail to ‘look twice’ for smaller road users, like cyclists, before turning out onto a main road
- Opening a door onto a passing cyclist – if a driver does not watch out for passing traffic, open doors could catch cyclists unawares
- Poorly maintained roads – it’s not always the fault of other road users. As bikes are lightweight, they are more susceptible to damage from potholes and bumps
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Compensation claim amounts for injuries caused by bicycle accidents
| Part of body | Severity of injury | Amount of compensation | Types of injuries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head | Minor | £1,880.00 to £10,890.00 | Covers head injury with recovery within a few weeks. Higher compensation if symptoms include headaches. |
| Head | Moderate | £13,430.00 to £112,130.00 | Symptoms ranging from poor concentration, lower and higher risk of epileptic attacks, minor personality changes, depression, more severe intellectual impairment, or injuries/symptoms leading to a vegetative state. |
| Head | Serious | £186,890.00 £240,590.00 | Covers reduced life expectancy, serious physical symptoms, serious changes to personality or intellect, large dependence on others due to paralysis or otherwise. |
| Head | Severe | £240,590.00 to £344,640.00 | Covers minimally conscious state (life expectancy less than 15 years), severe disability, brain damage with little/no response, vegetative states needing full-time nursing. |
| Eye | Severe | £56,080.00to £229,260.00 | Complete blindness on one/both eyes or severe visual impairment on one/both eyes. |
| Face | Minor | £1,460.00 to £7,460.00 | Light or no scarring on the face, but no fractures, loss/damage of one/two front teeth, simple fractures of the jaw or nose, but with a possibility of complete recovery. |
| Face | Serious | £15,320.00 to £26,010.00 | More serious fractures such as a broken jaw or nose, breaking/damage/loss of several teeth. |
| Face | Severe | £26,010.00 to £38,850.00 | Severe injuries resulting in facial disfigurement, several jaw fractures, chronic tooth pain, and scarring. May lead to eating restrictions or higher risk of joint arthritis. Covers negative effects on mental health. |
| Ear/ hearing | Minor | Up to £5,980.00 | Possible Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL), slight/occasional tinnitus. |
| Ear/ hearing | Moderate | £12,700.00 to £25,350.00 | Partial hearing loss or mild to severe tinnitus. |
| Ear/ hearing | Serious | £25,350.00 to £38,850.00 | Complete deafness in one ear. Severity varies based on additional symptoms (e.g. dizziness, tinnitus, etc.). |
| Ear/ hearing | Severe | £77,430.00 to £120,040.00 | Complete deafness in both ears. Higher compensation for child injuries also resulting in a loss of speech. |
Bicycle accident compensation amounts for back, neck, shoulders and upper body injuries
| Part of body | Severity of injury | Amount of compensation | Types of injuries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neck | Minor | Up to £6,680.00 | Soft tissue injuries or whiplash with recovery within 3 – 24 months. Compensation factors include severity of pain and amount of negative effects on everyday life. |
| Neck | Moderate | £7,410.00 to £47,760.00 | Covers injuries that accelerated a pre-existing condition, disc lesions, cervical spondylosis, serious limitation of movement, permanent and/or recurring pain, all caused by fractures or dislocations. |
| Neck | Severe | £56,100.00 to £139,210.00 | Serious fractures, severe soft tissue damage, chronic pain conditions, disc damage, partial paraplegia, or significant, permanent disability. |
| Back | Minor | £2,090.00 to £10,670.00 | Includes lighter strains, sprains, disc prolapses, and soft tissue injuries. Recovery between 3 months and 5 years. |
| Back | Moderate | £11,730.00 to £26,050.00 | Includes: spinal fusion, compressed or fractured lumbar spine (possibly resulting in higher risk of osteoarthritis and constant pain), prolapsed discs and other injuries that may require surgery and a continued acceleration/worsening of a pre-existing back condition. |
| Back | Severe | £36,390.00 to £151,070.00 | Typically requires surgery. Injuries include: damaged spinal cord and partial paralysis, psychological issues, loss of bladder and/or bowel function, disc lesions, impaired movement, arthritis, etc. |
| Shoulder | Minor | Up to £6,730.00 | Soft tissue injury resulting in pain. Full recovery between 3 – 24 months. |
| Shoulder | Serious | £10,890.00 to £16,380.00 | Fractured humerus, clavicle or rotator cuff needing surgery. |
| Shoulder | Severe | £16,380.00 to £40,970.00 | Significant disability caused by severe damage to the neck or brachial plexus. |
| Pelvis & hips | Minor | £3,370.00 to £10,750.00 | Complete recovery after minor soft tissue injuries. Little or no disability within 2 years. |
| Pelvis & hips | Moderate | £10,750.00 to £33,430.00 | No serious disability, but covers injuries requiring hip operations, replacement of hips (or the need for either in the future). |
| Pelvis & hips | Severe | £33,430.00 to £111,690.00 | Severe hip/pelvis fractures resulting in bowel damage or spinal fusion, childbirth complications, hip replacement, and/or leading to higher likelihood of future surgery. |
| Scarring (not facial) | Minor | £2,020.00 to £7,380.00 | One noticeable scar or several superficial, unsightly scars on the legs, arms, or hands. |
| Scarring (not facial | Moderate | Up to £7,380.00 | Full recovery within 2 years, up to a partial recovery with symptoms that are not largely debilitating. |
| Scarring (not facial | Severe | £6,680.00 to £19,390.00 | Several noticeable laceration scars or a single disfiguring scar. |
Bicycle accident compensation amounts for arm, hand, and finger injuries
| Part of body | Severity of injury | Amount of compensation | Types of injuries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arm | Mild | £5,630.00 to £16,380.00 | Fractured forearm. |
| Arm | Moderate | £16,380.00 to £33,430.00 | Serious arm injury leading to long-lasting symptoms. |
| Arm | Serious | £33,430.00 to £111,690.00 | Serious injury resulting in an inability to use the arm(s) to some extent. Does not result in amputation. |
| Arm | Severe | £82,040.00 to £255,930.00 | Results may include the amputation of one/both arms. Compensation amount will depends on amputated area, whether phantom pain is experienced, and on other effects on the quality of life. |
| Elbow | Moderate | Up to £10,750.00 | Includes: tennis elbow, deep cuts, simple fractures, no permanent damage. |
| Elbow | Serious | £13,360.00 to £27,320.00 | Results in restricted movement but does not require surgery or cause disability. |
| Elbow | Severe | £33,430.00 to £46,780.00 | Injury causes severe disability or requires surgery. |
| Wrist | Moderate | Up to £8,740.00 | Uncomplicated Colles fracture or minor undisplaced fractures with recovery between 1 – 2 years. May include use of plasters. |
| Wrist | Serious | £10,750.00 to £20,900.00 | Soft tissue damage or broken wrist causing some permanent disability. |
| Wrist | Severe | £20,900.00to £51,070.00. | Significant permanent disability or complete loss of wrist function. |
| Hand | Minor | Up to £4,050.00 | Covers lacerations and crush injuries, and soft tissue injuries (recovery within 6 months). |
| Hand | Moderate | £4,780.00 to £11,330.00 | Covers penetrating wounds and crush injuries resulting in permanent but non-intrusive symptoms, or soft tissue damage and deeper cuts resulting in impairment of the hand (may require surgery). |
| Hand | Severe | £24,740.00 to £171,920.00 | Covers amputation and rejoining of several fingers, resulting in a clawed, impaired, or unsightly hand, amputation of one/both hands (alternatively, amputation of several fingers rendering the hand almost useless). |
| Finger | Minor | Up to £4,055.00 | Includes: full-healed fractured finger bones (healed within 1 year) with/without minor scarring. |
| Finger | Moderate | £3,370.00 to £5,000.00 | Includes: complete (or almost complete) recovery after broken finger, amputation or loss of a part of the little finger. |
| Finger | Severe | £10,380.00 to £31,350.00 | Includes: complete amputation of one/more fingers, fractures of the index finger. Compensation depends on level of disability and suffering. |
| Thumb | Minor | Up to £4,055.00 | Short-term, severe pain gone within 3 months. |
| Thumb | Moderate | £3,370.00 to £10,750.00 | Covers fractures with recovery within 6 months, damage to nerves or tendons resulting in partial loss of sensation, and cosmetic thumb deformities. |
| Thumb | Severe | £10,750.00 to £46,780.00 | Partial/complete amputation of the thumb, surgical wire insertions, nerve damage, fractures, inability to grip. |
Bicycle accident compensation amounts for leg and foot injuries
| Part of body | Severity of injury | Amount of compensation | Types of injuries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leg | Minor | £7,780.00 to £12,010.00 | Minor injuries with recovery within a few months (e.g. soft-tissue injuries, bruising, cuts, and contusions). Slightly more severe injuries such as simple fractures of the femur, tibia, or fibula. |
| Leg | Moderate | £15,320.00 to £46,780.00 | Minor fractures with partial recovery, serious soft tissue injury, injuries to one leg (e.g. broken bones, crushing injuries), ligament injuries, compound fractures leading to near certainty of arthritis or instability. |
| Leg | Severe | £46,780.00 to £240,590.00 | Severe injuries resulting in extensive degloving, bone grafting, permanently reduced mobility, or amputation of one/both legs (above/below the knee). |
| Knee | Minor | Up to £11,730.00 | Includes soft tissue injuries (recovery within a few months), a twisted knee, lacerations, or bruising resulting in discomfort or pain. |
| Knee | Moderate | £22,340.00 to £37,070.00 | Includes: seriously damaged kneecaps, ligaments, or muscles, dislocation, a torn meniscus, acceleration injuries (over several years), resulting in ongoing discomfort or pain. |
| Knee | Severe | £44,470.00 to £82,080.00 | Covers constant pain, severe disability, or muscle wastage. Higher compensation if need for surgery or injury effects quality of life. |
| Ankle | Minor | Up to £11,730.00 | Smaller fractures, but bone has not been displaced. May include sprains, injured ligaments (likely leads to scarring). Smaller injuries can allow for full recovery within a year, without any scarring. |
| Ankle | Moderate | £11,730.00 to £42,710.00 | Includes ligament tears, fractures, leading to smaller disabilities while standing/moving. Increased risk of osteoarthritis. Operation/cast needed. May lead to inability to work or call for special footwear. |
| Ankle | Severe | £42,710.00 to £59,480.00 | Severe injury resulting in deformities, disabilities, or even amputation of the body part down the line. |
| Achilles | Minor | £6,200.00 to £10,750.00 | Minor instability due to tendon damage around the ankle. Some more severe cases might involve scarring. |
| Achilles | Moderate | £10,750.00 to £17,970.00 | More serious injury and partially ruptured tendon. More severe cases tend to involve disability and/or permanent scarring. |
| Achilles | Severe | £21,320.00to £32,780.00 | Restricted movement of the ankle due to severed muscle tissue. Small likelihood of further improvement of limp and residual scarring. |
| Foot | Minor | Up to £11,730.00 | Includes: minor fractures, lacerations or contusions (with complete recovery within 2 years), ruptured ligaments or other puncture wounds that result in chronic pain or a permanent limp. |
| Foot | Moderate | £11,730.00 to £59,730.00 | Includes: metatarsal fractures resulting in permanent deformity and ongoing symptoms, fractured heels (both), restricted mobility, degloving and heel fusion. |
| Foot | Severe | £71,640.00 to £171,920.00 | Injury needing amputation of one/both feet or traumatic amputation of the forefoot (to prevent need for complete amputation). |
| Toe | Minor | Up to £8,190.00 | One or more broken toes with a varying recovery period. Compensation depends on presence of long-term symptoms and speed of recovery. |
| Toe | Moderate | £8,190.00 to £11,730.00 | Multiple fractures, crush injuries to two/more toes, permanent disability. May have involved unsuccessful past operations. |
| Toe | Severe | £11,730.00 to £47,830.00 | Severe crush injuries leading to less/surgical amputation of one or two toes (not including the big toe), amputation of all toes or the big toe. |
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