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Accidents on Public Transport for Students

Posted on 8th December 2020 by Jonathon

University students across the UK are currently travelling home for Christmas, with many using public transport. During this time, with the rush for many students to get home before the 9^th December, the likelihood of accidents on public transport may rise. There could be more road traffic accidents, or accidents at stations due to the rush of people travelling.

Students have been told to travel between 3-9 December if they test negative for COVID-19. This is because the infection rates will generally be lower after the mass testing that they have undergone. They are planning on doing this to reduce the risk of the students passing the virus to their loved ones. The government and universities are likely to stagger the return to universities after the Christmas period in January.

Students on Public Transport

There will undoubtedly be a lot of students using public transport during this week, and with that the amount of accidents may rise. Accidents on public transport can occur on buses, trains, taxis, and more.

According to a report by the BBC, students in England can travel as long as they have had a negative test result. In Scotland students must have two negative test results in 5 days before they can travel. If students test positive, then they must self-isolate before being able to travel.

The public transport companies may add extra transport for this period. This may also cause the number of accidents to rise.

Accidents on Public Transport

The main accident that can occur on public transport is a road traffic accident (RTA). For example, if you are on a bus and a driver hits the bus, or vice-versa, then you may be able to claim. This includes if the accident was the bus driver’s fault.

Another accident that may happen on public transport includes accidents because of the rush of people trying to get on transport, such as a fall at a station. If you have fallen at a station, and it was someone else’s fault, such as a floor that has been recently cleaned but does not have a wet floor sign, then you may be able to make a claim.

What to do if you have an accident on public transport?

If you have an accident on public transport, the first thing you need to do is report the accident. That can be to the bus driver, the bus or train company, or the taxi company. Then you need to make a GP appointment or go to A&E to see the extent of your injuries.

It could also be beneficial to you if there are witnesses to the accident. That could be other passengers or other drivers that were involved in the accident. Or it could be any staff if your accident happened at a station.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes accidents on public transport. Contact us today by filling in our contact form, or by calling us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly, knowledgeable advisors.

Common Black Friday Accidents

Posted on 26th November 2020 by Jonathon

Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days of the year. It has been a massive day in the USA for many years, but in the past few years, the phenomenon has spread to the UK. Many items are reduced on the day, and its surrounding days to kickstart Christmas shopping, but it is not without its risks. With the increased number of shoppers, there is an increase in Black Friday accidents.

Whilst this year it is, understandably being held online, in the past it has led people to flood to shops. With more shops starting to open again in some parts of the country in the lead up to Christmas, the number of accidents may rise. There are some accidents, however, that happen more than others in this period.

Common Black Friday Accidents in Shops

Most accidents that happen on Black Friday and the festive period do so in shops. This can be due to health and safety issues, inadequate staffing, or the fault of other members of the public. Shops have a duty of care, set out in the Occupier’s Liability Act 1984, to ensure that no one is injured whilst on their premises.

This is especially important on Black Friday and during the festive period, as the number of shoppers increases. Businesses and shop owners, at this time, must take even more care to make sure no one has an accident. This includes making sure there are adequate members of staff in to deal with the increased footfall and making sure they have the correct training to deal with the numbers.

Falling Items

It is no surprise that many Black Friday accidents happen in shops. A big cause of accidents in shops is falling items hitting people. Falling items can be dangerous in any circumstance, but may be made worse around the festive period. If the items fall due to the fault of someone else, for example items not being stacked correctly or people pulling items off shelves in an unsafe way, then it may be something you can claim for.

Crushing

Another accident that can be caused on and around Black Friday is crushing. Causes of these accidents include people rushing to get certain items, and it can cause serious injuries. If shops do not have the correct security or health and safety measures, this can lead to more accidents.

Assault

Another form of accident that can happen on Black Friday is assault. There may be cases where someone assaults you trying to get an item, or in the rush to get to the sales. There is a body who deal with assault compensation cases. They are known as the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, or CICA.

Common Black Friday Accidents on the Road

There can also be accidents during the festive period before you even enter a shop. There are many accidents that happen on the roads and in car parks too. Causes of these accidents can include speeding, driving carelessly, and drivers fighting for parking spaces.

Black Friday and the Christmas period causes many drivers to drive more recklessly on the roads, with drivers speeding and not concentrating. According to Department for Transport statistics, the 10 days including and following Black Friday are when the most crashes happen on UK roads. This is likely due to the rush of shoppers.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who deal with all manner of personal injury claims. This includes accidents in shops, public places, and on the roads. If you have had an accident and it was someone else’s fault, then you may be able to claim compensation.

Contact us today by filling in our contact form, or by calling us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly, knowledgeable advisors.

Cycling Road Traffic Accidents Consultation

Posted on 2nd November 2020 by Jonathon

Cycling Road Traffic Accidents are amongst some of the most common types of RTA. Cyclists are amongst some of the most vulnerable types of road user. Cycling road traffic accidents also commonly cause injuries that can take a while to heal.

There is currently a consultation going on in the Government as to whether to change the rules in the highway code to reflect these different types of road user. This consultation focuses on improving the safety for vulnerable road users; in particular, cyclists, pedestrians, and horse riders.

The main proposals of the consultation are:

To introduce a hierarchy of road users which ensures those road users who can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat they may pose to others.
Clarifying existing rules on pedestrian priority on pavements, to advise that drivers should give way to pedestrians crossing or those waiting to cross the road.
Providing guidance on cyclist priority at junctions to advise drivers to give priority at junctions when travelling straight ahead.
Establishing guidance on safe passing distances and speeds when overtaking cyclists and horse riders.

The consultation finished on the 27^th October 2020, with the results expected soon after.

Cycling Road Traffic Accidents

Cyclists are amongst the most vulnerable road users. Many of the road traffic accidents that happen every year in the UK involve cyclists. If you have been injured in an accident on the road as a cyclist then you may be able to claim compensation.

There are various reasons that cyclists can have an accident. The main causes of accidents on the road are: careless driving, speeding, and drivers not paying attention. They can often cause injury, and these injuries can take a while to heal.

Accidents involving uninsured drivers

Sometimes, in road traffic accidents, there are uninsured or untraceable drivers. In cases such as these, you may be able to claim from the Motor Insurers Bureau. The MIB specialise in cases of uninsured drivers, and is a body that is paid into by motor insurance companies throughout the UK. In cases that involve the MIB, they would pay the compensation.

Accidents involving a child

If your child had an accident whilst cycling, then you may be able to make a claim on their behalf. With accidents involving a child, the usual three-year time limit does not come into effect until they turn 18. So, in theory, you may have a longer time in which to make a claim. however, it is always better to start a potential claim as soon as possible.

How we can help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who specialise in road traffic accidents. This includes cycling accidents. This means that they are extremely well placed to help you make a possible claim if you were involved in a road traffic accident as a cyclist. Contact us today by filling in our contact form, or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.

Bad Weather and Road Traffic Accidents

Posted on 6th October 2020 by Jonathon

Now we are in Autumn in the UK, and heading towards Winter, there is no doubt that the weather will continue to deteriorate. We have already seen rain and flood warnings throughout the country in the past week, and this is likely to get worse before it gets better. Bad weather on the roads may even lead to accidents.

The latest reports from the Met Office have shown that the UK is about to face a huge storm, even post storm Alex that hit many parts of the country over the weekend. Parts of the UK have been issued weather and flood warnings, and the weather is set to stay bad in some parts throughout October.

And as we head into Winter, the weather may end up being even more unpredictable, with anything from rain, and wind, to sleet, snow and overnight frost.

Effects on the Bad Weather on Roads

This will lead to more dangerous conditions on the road, and, unfortunately, may lead to more road traffic accidents. According to the Met Office, as reported in the Express, 9 out of 10 weather-related deaths and serious injuries on the roads take place in the rain.

There are specific rules in the Highway Code for driving in bad weather conditions such as rain, wind, ice, and snow, but, unfortunately, not all drivers take notice of these guidelines.

Careless driving is one of the main causes of road traffic accidents in the UK, along with speeding. Both things can cause serious injury. Drivers must ensure that they are driving more carefully in bad weather conditions to prevent accidents happening. If people are driving carelessly, not paying attention whilst driving, or speeding, then accidents are likely to happen, especially in bad weather.

Accidents Due to Bad Weather on Roads

If you have had a road traffic accident because of someone else’s carelessness on the road due to the weather conditions, then you may be able to claim compensation.

When you have a road traffic accident, your injuries can be severe. They can range from whiplash and soft tissue damage, to more serious injuries. In the worst cases, they can even be fatal. Even the smallest injuries can take a while to heal after a road traffic accident.

You may have to take time off work to recover, and therefore lose out financially. Your car may have also suffered some damage, and you may even have to replace it. If all of this happened in an accident that was not your fault, then it can be even worse.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who deal with road traffic accidents daily. This means that they are well placed to help you to claim any compensation you may be entitled to. Contact us today by filling in our contact form, or by calling us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.

Stormy conditions no excuse for unsafe pavements and roads

Posted on 12th February 2020 by Jonathon

If you’ve gone to work, taken the kids to school or frankly done anything that’s required leaving the house in the last few days, then you will no doubt have experienced the effects of Storm Ciara.

With Storm Dennis now forecast to be hitting British shores by the weekend, we are likely to continue experiencing disruption to public transport, sporting fixtures and our daily lives for the foreseeable future too.

This bout of bad weather has meant that, in recent days, it has been hazardous to walk down the street – even in areas that haven’t experienced flooding thankfully, there has still been large volumes of ground water, as well as black ice in some parts, on pavements and roads.

Add to this the high winds, fallen trees and blizzard conditions that we’ve had, and it would be fair to say that it has also been treacherous to drive on UK roads the past few days, thereby increasing the likelihood of accidents happening.

It is the responsibility of your local council to ensure that the highways and byways around you – this includes both the roads and pavements – are cleared and gritted in icy and windy conditions and so, safe to travel on. Similarly, it is the duty of Highways England to make sure that the nation’s motorways are safe for motorists to use, while it is the responsibility of Transport Scotland north of the border.

If this is not done, and you are involved in a road traffic accident (RTA), or suffer a slip, trip or fall while walking down the street, you may be entitled to compensation.

At The Compensation Experts, we work with specialist law firms who have a track record of making successful compensation claims against local councils and after RTAs have occurred. We and the legal firms we work with have a lot of experience with these types of cases and so, are well-placed to help you get you the maximum amount of compensation.

If you have been involved in a road traffic accident or have sustained any type of injury while out in public the last few days, the stormy conditions we have been experiencing are not an excuse. Therefore, you may be entitled to compensation.

Do not hesitate to contact The Compensation Experts via the contact form on our website or by calling 0161 413 8765.

Scottish Compensation Reform Affects Thousands of British Drivers

Posted on 4th September 2019 by Jonathon

Recent changes to the personal injury compensation scheme from the UK government aren’t going down a treat. Some simply describe it as being simply “not enough” by insurers around the country. This could affect thousands of British drivers across the UK. (more…)

Record Breaking Wheelchair Compensation Win

Posted on 31st July 2019 by Jonathon

A Brisbane man who became wheelchair-bound after a car accident left him with severe brain injuries has been awarded a record $20.5 million in compensation.

Chrys Barker, aged 28, and his cousin, Bobby Hobbs, aged 20, were hit by a drunk driver in Caboolture near Brisbane in January 2014. Mr Hobbs was killed instantly in the collision while Mr Barker was flown by helicopter to a hospital. He suffered such serious brain damage that he can no longer speak and is in a wheelchair for life. While he can understand conversations, he can only communicate through eye movements.

The drunk driver was a former Navy man, Craig Edward Jones. At the time of the incident, the investigators estimated that Jones’ blood-alcohol reading was between 0.256 – 0.32%. He lost control of his vehicle and spun out into 3 cars. The people in the third vehicle suffered only minor injuries.

At the time of the incident, Jones was under a probationary driver’s license which required him to have an ‘alcohol ignition interlock’ fitted which would prevent the car from starting unless he had a zero blood alcohol reading. This device was not fitted at the time of the incident. Jones had 3 previous drink driving convictions. He was disqualified from driving for life and was sentenced to 8 years in prison in 2015.

A third-party personal injury insurer accepted full liability. The insurer originally suggested that Mr Barker should live in a care home for the rest of his life, which would cost $3 million. However, a neurosurgeon recommended that he would have a better chance at rehabilitation if he was cared for at home. Mr Barker’s family wished to bring him home, and the insurance company agreed to pay for the adaptations needed to move Mr Barker to the family home in Donnybrook.

The $20.5 million compensation figure, however, has taken 4 years to be settled upon as Chrys’ health needed to stabilise before the figure could be agreed upon. Queensland Supreme Court sanctioned the compensation earlier this year.

An independent trustee company will invest and manage the compensation to ensure Chrys has the care he needs for the rest of his life. The money received from the pay-out will be used to pay for Mr Barker’s rehabilitation, increased insurance, care costs, and home modification costs.

Mr Barker’s mother, Betty Barker, said: ‘To know that the funds are there now for Chrys to be looked after for the rest of his life… it’s just a relief.’

‘Every doorway had to be widened for a wheelchair. Chrys is a big strong boy, he’s in a good-sized wheelchair, and most average doorways are too small for Chrys.’

The insurance company’s head of communications, Paul Turner, said: ‘It has really set the boundaries for future settlements of this size, and a lot of that is based on Chrys’ age and the severity of his injuries. This was a really complex case medically, and we had to ensure that Chrys was covered for life and we got the best cover possible.’

If you have would like to discuss a similar accident or have been affected by this story, then it is in your best interest to get in contact with us at The Compensation Experts where we can discuss your legal issue and help you to make a claim.

Woman Controversially Awarded Compensation After Bike Crash

Posted on 15th July 2019 by Jonathon

A woman who was hit by a cyclist after stepping out into the road has been awarded compensation. While the decision may not appear controversial at first, the circumstances of the case have divided opinions.

The ruling has been called controversial as Gemma Brushett was distracted by her phone when she stepped into the road, and the traffic lights were green for the cyclist, Robert Hazeldean. Both parties were knocked unconscious by the collision in July 2015, but the cyclist will have to pay Ms Brushett damages. Although the incident took place over 4 years ago, the case has only just been settled in the courts.

Mr Hazeldean was approaching a junction at the northern end of London Bridge when Ms Brushett stepped into the road. He sounded an air horn to warn her of his approach, but this caused her to panic and try to get back to a traffic island. Unfortunately, Mr Hazeldean had swerved in the same direction to try and avoid hitting her, which is when they collided.

In her summary of the case, Judge Mauger detailed why she had found that Ms Brushett should receive a payout from Mr Hazeldean: ‘When I stand back and ask “how did the accident happen?” it seems to me that Mr Hazeldean owed a duty to other road users to drive with reasonable care and skill […] Mr Hazeldean did fall below the level to be expected of a reasonably competent cyclist in that he did proceed when the road was not completely clear.’

If a pedestrian is established on the road, even if a vehicle or cyclist has the right of way, the pedestrian has right of way by default. So, in this case, even though the lights were on green for the cyclist, Mr Hazeldean, Ms Brushett had right of way.

The judge also added: ‘Ms. Brushett must clearly have equal responsibility if she is crossing the road without looking – and if she is looking at her phone, even more so. But cyclists must be prepared at all times for people to behave in unexpected ways. The appropriate finding is that the parties were equally responsible, and I make a finding of liability at 50/50.’

Another cyclist who witnessed the incident said that Hazeldean was in the wrong and had behaved in an ‘arrogant and reckless’ manner, while 3 other witnesses said that Ms Brushett had been using her phone and was distracted when she went into the road. The judge, however, found that the parties were equally to blame. Judge Shanti Mauger believed that although Hazeldean was a ‘calm and reasonable road user’, cyclists should be ‘prepared at all times for people to behave in unexpected ways’.

The judge’s ruling means that Ms Brushett will receive compensation, but the exact figure she will receive is unknown and will be fixed at a later date. It is likely that, as the judge has ruled that the parties had equal responsibility in the accident, she will only be awarded half of the value of her original claim.

Whiplash: What Are My Rights?

Posted on 26th April 2019 by Jonathon

Whiplash is an apparently minor injury sustained in the event of a car accident or collision that throws your spine, neck and head quickly forward and backwards. It’s a painful and inconvenient injury to suffer, and in many cases, it’s the fault of another party who’s collided with your vehicle from behind. If this is the case, it’s best that you’re made aware of your rights so that you can plan for compensation for what is a troubling and disruptive injury. This article looks at those rights, and how you can work towards a claim that’ll grant you compensation for your injury.

Was Another Party Involved?

The first question you have to ask in the event of sustaining a whiplash injury is: is someone else to blame? That could be the person you collided with, or who collided with you. It could be the person who walked in front of your car, forcing you to perform an emergency stop. Or it could be the driver with their lights on full beam who dazzled you while you were driving.

Think through if there’s anyone who might be liable in the event of your whiplash injury. If you are yourself at fault, and you accept 100% responsibility, then you won’t have the right to make a claim. But in many cases, it’s difficult to assign 100% responsibility to one party in a multi-party injury scenario, so for those others involved, you may well be able to assign liability. So, ask yourself: how much can I claim for whiplash injury?

Personal Whiplash Injury Rights

So, as you’ve established that there are other people or another person partially or fully liable for the injury you suffered in your vehicle, it’s time to talk through your rights. If you find you have whiplash (this often needs to be verified by a doctor), you have the right to claim compensation. Compensation not only for the damage to your vehicle, but for the pain of the whiplash, the hospital and pharmaceutical fees, and the effect the injury has had on your lifestyle.

The best way to go about seeking compensation is to approach an experienced specialist who’s worked on many hundreds of whiplash cases just like yours. Where you’ll only know your basic rights, they’ll know the ins and outs of the law, and what you’ll be able to whiplash injury claim for, and the percentage culpability you’ll be able to assign to those other parties involved in your accident. Don’t neglect your rights when you suffer whiplash: approach a compensation specialist to help you build a case.

The Outcomes

Now that you have an injury law expert helping you to fight your case, there’s little you’ll have to do other than discuss the various outcomes of your claim. The expert will already be aware of the compensation you’re likely to win, and in some cases, the insurance companies you’re claiming against will grant a whiplash injury claim without fighting them first. In any case, you’ll be in open discussions with our legal team about the compensation we expect you are due – so you can relax and await the compensation that your rights affirm you are due. Remember: it’s a no win no fee whiplash claim. If you don’t win any money, you’ll not owe any, either.

Knowing Your Rights In A Car Accident

Posted on 22nd March 2019 by Jonathon

So many of us take the ability to hop into our car and travel wherever we like as a given. That is until we lose that very freedom to do so. In short, knowing your rights in a car accident is important.

Effectively, it can be an extremely traumatic occurrence, especially if it wasn’t your fault. As a result of the collision, you may have suffered serious injury and damage to the vehicle. If so, it’s essential that you understand and protect your rights in a car accident. Particularly if the accident comes down to someone else’s carelessness.

The first step to getting a resolution to your case is:

knowing what these rights are, and;
the next steps that you’ll need to take.

Here are your rights in a car accident

To call 999

Whether or not you’re at fault, you have every right to call emergency services and receive necessary treatment. Even if the other party:

pleads with you not to phone for emergency help, or;
is keen to resolve the case between you both.

Regardless, it’s still essential that you call the police or emergency services, as you may suffer from internal injuries. A police report is also an important form of evidence in dealing with insurance and making a claim. Therefore, don’t let the other party talk you out of it: think about the best interests of the other party.

To receive compensation

If you were injured in the accident or your vehicle was damaged, you have the right to make a claim against the person or group of people responsible for the incident. Always be sure to take as many photographs as you can. Namely, pictures of the damage to both vehicles, as well as external injuries you may suffer from. If you think you’re suffering from a severe injury, it’s wise to make a medical injury claim. Also be sure to capture photos of road conditions, streets signs or anything other potential collision factors.

To talk to witnesses

If you notice that there are any witnesses around, you need them on the record. Take note of their name and contact details, as it’s information you may need these for insurance or compensation purposes. You should always encourage any witnesses to recall their point of view of what they saw to the police. In turn, their testimony is a vital aspect in the police report and result in you getting what you deserve.

To remain silent

After the accident has occurred, you have the right to remain silent. You don’t have to contact the other party, their insurance company or solicitors. If the other party continuously and needlessly harasses you over the case, you need to alert the police.

Not to apologise

Although you’re in shock after the accident, try to maintain calm. Above all, continually apologising to the other party is a No-No. Such a simple phrase can determine whether or not you will end up taking full responsibility for the accident. Therefore, even if you believe you’re in the wrong, wait until the release of the details before you settle on taking the blame.

A Guide to Understanding Cycling Accident Compensation

Posted on 20th March 2019 by Jonathon

Though great for your health and the environment, cycling poses several risks of its own. The lack of protection from other drivers and even unsafe road conditions could turn your comfortable bike ride to work into a disastrous accident. Therefore, cycling accident compensation claims are a difficult reality in the UK.

In many cases, these injuries might occur due to the negligence of another party.

For example, say the driver of a car doesn’t check their blind spot and strikes you. You can subsequently sue them for compensation. An improperly paved road that caused you to lose control could mean you have a case against the city.

The difficulty in these cases, and why you should always hire an experienced attorney, is that in most cases the furthest a plaintiff can go with their case of negligence is contributory negligence, which puts both parties to blame for the accident. Not know how to make personal injury claims? Read on.

Can You Claim for Cycling Accident Compensation?

Indeed, you can. Just as you can claim compensation after a driving accident. Or, if a car strikes you as a pedestrian.

So, too, can a person claim compensation as a cyclist. In fact, you’ve mostly the same rights, too. Not a moment too soon, either: there exists significant cycling accident statistics in the UK. In 2018, RoSPA reports 4,106 serious injuries and over 13 thousand slight injuries amongst cyclists.

What are the Complications When Making a Claim?

Even if this is the case, there are some complications. A pedestrian struck on the pavement has no responsibility in the accident. Accordingly, the vehicle that hits them violates the rules of the road.

As cyclists and motorists share the road, however, this can make compensation claims a bit more tricky. This is because the cyclist faces distractions at the time of the accident.

As a cyclist, it’s your responsibility to be attentive at all times. Other elements can also be a distraction when making a compensation claim.

For example, listening to music on the way to work or;
Alternatively, taking a drink from your water bottle.

Although this may be true, this does not rule out your ability to win a claim. However, it does increase the likelihood that the amount you receive will be deducted. This is what often happens because these cases are contributorily negligent. In other words, you were partly to blame for the accident. The case is, if you face no distractions, you will be able to stop in time or avoid the accident.

The other complication is that judges, in general, aren’t very familiar with cycling injuries and accidents. That is why hiring a knowledgeable lawyer can help, as they will explain in legal terms the case in a way the judge can understand.

The Issue of Distractions

Contributory negligence does not mean you won’t receive compensation. It just means the total amount they award you is subject to a discount, sometimes by as much as 25%.

However, the exact amount will depend on how complicit the judge believes you were in the accident. The argument holds then that – if you face distractions – you can, therefore, ride away, stop, or otherwise minimise the accident from occurring.

If a driver breaks the law while injuring you (instead of, say, turning lanes without checking their blind spot), then you have a very solid case.

What to Do If You Have Been a Victim to a Cycling Accident

If you have been the victim of a cycling accident that wasn’t your fault, then you will want to:

Seek Out a Lawyer.
Seek Out Professional Rehabilitation.

By doing so, you give yourself the best chance of being compensated for a personal injury accident claim.

A closer look at cycling accidents in the UK – What are your rights?

Posted on 10th January 2019 by Jonathon

At the start of every year, gyms and roads across Britain become littered with people jogging, cycling and generally trying to get fit, and 2019 is no different. Over the last couple of years, cycling has become an increasingly popular way to keep fit and commute to work. The reason behind this is most likely the awareness around becoming a greener nation and the success of our cycling teams and riders; however, many people seem to forget that it can be very dangerous if you do not take the proper precautions.

Recent statistics show that there are around 18,000 cycling accidents on our road every year, which is very low compared to car traffic collisions. However, these statistics also show that cycling accidents are far more serious than car accidents. A report by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has revealed that per billion vehicle miles, 1,011 pedal cyclists are killed or seriously injured, in comparison to 26 car drivers.

Perhaps the most surprising fact to come out of the report was that you are more likely to be involved in a cycling accident during the day than in the evening, with 80% occurring in daylight. There are probably many reasons for this – busier roads during the day, more urgency to be somewhere ie. work and maybe due to many cyclists’ efficiency to wear high vis equipment and lights, which make it far safer in the evenings.

What can you do if you have been in a cycling accident?

If you have been involved in a cycling accident, whether it be with a car, pedestrian or another cyclist, the experience can be very traumatic. The last thing on your mind may be thinking about claiming compensation, however, there are measures you can take in case you want to make a claim later down the line.

Firstly, if you are in a fit enough state, you may want to make a note of the incident in as much detail as possible. Modern-day smartphones all contain note-takers so try and put down everything you remember about the accident, this will help later down the line if there are any points of dispute in your claim. You will also want to note down the names and contact details of anyone involved, including registration numbers if possible.

Another brilliant thing about modern technology is the quality of cameras on our phones. Not everyone has a dash camera, and more often than not you won’t be wearing a helmet or body mounted camera, so collecting pictures of the damage to bikes, cars or any other vehicles can be beneficial. If you have any visible injuries, it is worth trying to get pictures of these too.

How to claim compensation for a cycling accident

If you are confident that someone else is to blame for an accident that you have been involved in, you may have a valid claim for compensation. Due to the statute of limitations, you have 3 years to bring a claim from when the incident first occurred, which gives you plenty of time to recover and deal with the more important things before instructing a solicitor.

On rare occasions, the person to blame (the defendant) may approach you with a monetary offer in order to settle a case before any legal proceedings have taken place, however, we would always advise against this. It is best to deal with all matters through a third party in order to protect yourself and make sure you are getting the best advice possible.

Speaking to experts

The Compensation Experts have years of experience dealing with injured cyclists and can advise you as to whether you have a valid claim, whilst putting you in touch with some of countries best traffic collision solicitors. Claiming can be a long and stressful process if you do not instruct the correct team, however, we deliver the service, expertise and care whilst delivering a swift resolution to your claim.

If you would like to speak with one of our team about an accident, why not get in touch on our Freephone number 0161 413 8765 or alternatively use one of our call back request forms found here.