Injured whilst cycling what do I do next?

There are thousands of people throughout the UK who enjoy saddling up and riding their bike, however that number has increased dramatically as people turned to cycling due to the lockdown restrictions imposed as a result of COVID-19 and as such the likelihood of being injured whilst cycling increases.

Whether it’s for a daily commute, a family day out or for exercise cycling is a great activity that can be enjoyed by almost anyone.

However, every year there are approximately 19,000 people injured whilst cycling in road traffic accidents.

Unlike motorists, cyclists are not using a registered vehicle, consequently, many of them are without 3rd party insurance which can create uncertainty as to the right procedure to pursue should a collision with a motorist occur.

If you do have the misfortune of being knocked from your bike by another vehicle, there are a few key steps you should follow.

Remain calm

In the immediate aftermath of a collision your heart rate will rise, and your initial instinct will be one of anger and/or distress. The key thing to remember is that it is unlikely that the driver of the car intentionally collided with you. Do your best to avoid any arguments especially surrounding who’s to blame.

Stay safe

If your collision leaves you on the road, make sure you get yourself to a safe place as soon as possible. Remember, being hit by a car once is bad, getting hit twice could be fatal.

Exchange details

If the driver of the car that collided with you remains on the scene, make sure you get their full name, email address, a contact telephone number, insurance details and most importantly their license plate number – this can be used to trace the driver should they give you any false information or should they leave the scene without you getting everything you need.

Also, look for any witnesses at the scene and collect their contact details, their testimony may be needed should a claim be made. The more people you can find who witnessed the collision, the better.

If possible you should also try to take pictures of the scene of the accident, any damage to your bike, the driver’s car and any injuries that may have happened as a result of the collision.

Call the police

You have a legal obligation to contact the police within 24 hours of an accident. Ideally, you should call them as soon as the collision occurs. If or when they do arrive at the scene, ensure you make a record of the police officer’s name and the police case reference number.

Don’t ride away

Even if you experience a small collision, do not attempt to ride away. Your bike may look intact and in full working order, but there may be underlying issues. Riding away from the scene of the collision without giving the bike a full inspection could put you and other road users at risk of another accident.

Contact our cycling accident specialists

If you feel that you were injured whilst cycling the accident wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.

Here at Cycle Assist our team of solicitors are specialists in handling all types of cycling accident claims.

We specialise in assisting our clients secure the best possible treatment and care following their cycling accident, as well as securing damages for damaged equipment and potential loss of earnings.

All of our solicitors provide specialist advice on all compensation cases on a no win – no fee basis as well as offering a free initial consultation where we will work with you to learn more about your accident and the potential of your compensation claim.

To speak to a member of our team today, please call, 01625 506 672 or complete our online enquiry form by clicking here.