By Danielle Jordan. Last Updated 8th September 2025. This is a case study guide to making a compensation claim as a cyclist knocked off a bike by a car. In this guide, we look at an example of a bicycle accident claim, and explain how you could potentially claim compensation as a cyclist harmed by negligence.

We also provide examples of bicycle accident settlement amounts and explain how compensation is calculated in such personal injury claims.

If you have any questions or would like help starting your claim, please get in touch with an advisor on the following details:

• Start a claim online with our contact us page.
• Call 0800 073 8804
• Use our live chat.

Could I Make A Claim For Being Knocked Off A Bike?

Yes, you could make a claim for being knocked off your bike if another road user failed to meet their duty of care, resulting in an incident that caused you harm. 

All road users owe a duty of care to each other, meaning that they must act according to road laws and guidance that aims to maintain the safety of the roads. For example, people on the road must adhere to the Highway Code and the Road Traffic Act 1988. These cover factors such as drinking and speed limits.   

You can speak to our advisory team today. They will explain whether you meet the eligibility criteria, free of charge. There is also a possibility that they will connect you to one of our experienced cycling accident solicitors. You have nothing to lose by enquiring, so reach out at your earliest convenience.

£15,000 Compensation For A Cycling Claim – Case Study

At Legal Expert, we have helped multiple people who are cyclists and have been knocked off a bike by a car get the compensation they deserve.

This case study looks at a cyclist who was knocked off their bike by a car. The vehicle pulled out in front of the bike without due warning. This caused the cyclist to be thrown off the bike, sustaining several injuries.

The claimant (a woman) sustained a variety of injuries to her neck and legs. These injuries required physiotherapy treatment over a period of time to help heal from the injuries. A total of £15,000 in general and special damages were awarded.

Establishing Liability In The Bicycle Accident Claim

They gave the driver’s insurance company 24 hours to acknowledge receipt of the claim and then 15 days in which to admit or deny liability. The acknowledgement was received on time.

Liability for the accident was admitted in just five days. The claimant and her solicitors noted down all out-of-pocket expenses that the lady incurred as a consequence of her accident.

What Injuries Did They Suffer?

The claimant was cycling along a hill when a car pulled without giving any warning, and straight into her bicycle. The knock threw her to the ground and caused the claimant to suffer various injuries. These injuries included stiffness of and bruising to the woman’s neck as well as further bruising of the left knee and between her legs. As well as this, the claimant also suffered a strained back. The bruising between the claimant’s legs caused her reduced mobility.

What Compensation Was Received?

The woman received general damages for her injuries. Special damages are part of the overall claim but are not the actual compensation for the injuries incurred. In this case, the special damages included expenses such as additional travel expenses (including travel to medical appointments), the cost of replacing the bike and any care & assistance she needed around the home.

The woman had needed some assistance with domestic tasks. The special damages part of the claim also included painkillers and the costs of treatments. The total amount of compensation awarded (including general damages and special damages) was £15,000.

From the start of the claim through to the claimant receiving her compensation, the whole process took just nine and a half months. This also included the time for her to undergo a second round of physiotherapy treatment before she agreed to settle the claim.

What Other Injuries Can Be Caused To Cyclists Knocked Off Their Bikes By Cars?

As well as our case study, there are other injuries that can be caused to cyclists who are knocked of their bike by a car. Further example scenarios of how cyclists can be injured on the roads have been examined below.

Examples can include:

• A cyclist was travelling along a road with parked cars. A driver failed to look in the mirror before opening the door, and the cyclist collided with door, breaking several bones.
• A group of cyclists were waiting at a set of lights when a drunk driver failed to stop in time. Multiple cyclists were knocked from their bicycles, sustaining serious injuries.
• Children were playing on a residential street when a vehicle reversed at speed out of a driveway without observing around their vehicle. One of the children was on a bicycle and was hit by the vehicle. The child suffered serious injuries to their legs as well as a significant concussion.
• Multiple road users were injured when a lorry signalled left but turned right at a junction, colliding with several vehicles. A cyclist was hit in the pile-up and suffered serious trauma to their torso, requiring immediate and extensive treatment.

As you can see, cyclists are among the most vulnerable road users due to their lack of protection and can be harmed in a number of different ways. You can get a free eligibility assessment to claim as a cyclist knocked off a bike by talking to our advisory team today.

How Long Does A Cyclist Knocked Off A Bike Have To Start A Claim?

If you meet the eligibility requirements to claim for injuries suffered when you were knocked off your bike by a car, you must start the claims process within the appropriate limitation period. For personal injury claims, this is generally three years from the date the cyclist was knocked off their bike. This time limit is set out in the Limitation Act 1980.

However, there are some exceptions to the three year limit. To find out more about time limits and the exceptions when seeking knocked off bike by a car compensation, please speak to a member of our advisory team.

What Evidence Can Help You Claim Bike Injury Compensation?

When making a compensation claim for a bike accident, it’s important that you have the right evidence to support your case. This is because it is your responsibility to prove how the accident happened, who was at fault, and how it affected you.

Evidence for cycling accidents could include:

• Witness statements: If you take down the contact details of those who witnessed your accident, they can then give their statements to a professional later on in your claim.
• Photographs: Taking photos of both your injuries and the accident site can help illustrate the severity of the damage.
• Medical records: Your medical records can provide further insight into your injuries, along with x-rays, scans, and other medical documentation. Likewise, if you choose to work with a solicitor, they may be able to arrange for an independent medical assessment.
• CCTV footage: If your accident was caught by a CCTV system or on a dashcam, you may be able to request the footage and use it to help support your claim.

If you want to make a compensation claim for a bike accident, you don’t have to do it alone. One of our solicitors could help you collect evidence to support your case, and could offer further support throughout the claims process.

Contact our team of helpful advisors today to find out if working with one of our road traffic accident solicitors could be right for you. Or, read on to get more insight into compensation guidelines for road user injuries.

What To Do After Being Knocked Off My Bike By A Car

If you are knocked off your bike by a car, here is what you should do:

• Get to safety – move promptly to a safe space where you are at minimum risk of harm. 
• Call 999 – if you have been injured, you will need to seek medical attention. If paramedics and the police arrive, explain what’s happened, but don’t be tempted to say that you think the accident was your fault, even if you think you were at fault. Even if you are not injured, it is still advised that you seek medical attention, as symptoms may develop that were not immediate.
• Request driver details – you should ask the liable driver for their contact information, their registration plate, and their insurance details. If they are not the registered owner of the vehicle, you should ask for the vehicle owner’s contact information as well.
• Get witness details – you should ask for the contact information of anyone who witnessed you get knocked off your bike. They can provide a witness statement and help form your evidence later on during the claims process.
• Take photographs – take photos of the accident scene and location of the accident, of the liable driver’s vehicle (with their registration plate in shot if possible), and of your injuries. 

The next thing to do if you are a cyclist knocked off your bike is to contact us and tell us what’s happened. While there’s no obligation to connect with a solicitor, having one is extremely helpful if you wish to claim compensation. All of our solicitors can work with you on a No Win No Fee basis, meaning there is no financial stress on you.

Examples Of Bicycle Accident Settlement Amounts

A bicycle accident settlement could have a value of up to £493,000 if the claimant has suffered severe brain damage or other serious injuries.

Compensation for a cyclist who was knocked off their bike can be made up of two heads. These are general damages and special damages.

General damages address your injuries and the pain and suffering they cause you, whereas special damages compensate you for financial losses, like damage to your bike.

When calculating the value of general damages, solicitors and other legal professionals can use the Judicial College Guidelines. This text provides guideline compensation amounts for different injuries and illnesses in varying severities.

Let’s take a look at some potential bicycle accident injury figures from the JCG. Please note that the first figure is not from this document. Furthermore, all claims are different, so please only use these figures as guidance.

• Multiple injuries and related expenses – Up to £1,000,000 or more
• Head and brain injuries – Up to £493,000
• Injury to the back and spinal cord injuries – Up to £196,450
• Leg injuries – Up to £344,150
• Broken wrist – Up to £73,050
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – Up to £122,850
• Hip and pelvis injuries – Up to £159,770

What Else Can Bicycle Accident Settlement Amounts Include?

Following a successful personal injury claim for a bicycle accident, some settlement amounts in the UK could also include special damages. As discussed in the case study, special damages compensate you for the financial losses you have suffered due to your injury.

Some examples of what special damages could compensate you for include:

• Loss of earnings covering past, present and future earnings.
• Travel costs to attend medical appointments, such as taxi fares.
• Medical expenses, such as prescription costs.

As part of the personal injury claims process, you will need to submit proof of your financial losses. You can save your payslips, any receipts or invoices for items and services purchased as a result of your injury and any other item that could support the special damages part of your claim.

Call our advisors to discuss your road traffic accident claim and receive free advice. They could also help answer any questions you may still have about starting a personal injury claim.

Make A No Win No Fee Claim After Being Knocked Off Your Bike

When looking to claim as a cyclist knocked off your bike, you may be wondering whether a No Win No Fee agreement could suit you. This is a common type of legal agreement that provides a financially viable route for having the support of a solicitor while making a claim. By signing a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), which works on this basis, there would be no need to pay for your solicitor’s representation:

• Before the personal injury claim begins
• While the case is underway
• If you do not get compensation

However, in the event that you do receive knocked off bike by car compensation, you will owe a success fee. This is the percentage of the compensation that is deducted to pay your solicitor. You do not need to worry about this, as there is a legally binding cap that limits this. Therefore, you will keep the largest share. 

Our solicitors can also ease the process of seeking knocked off bike compensation by:

• Advising on what evidence would be appropriate for your case and how you can access it
• Communicating with the defendant on your behalf
• Outlining the process for you in simple terms and explaining legal definitions
• Evaluating how much compensation is appropriate for your case and arguing for the defendant to pay it

To find out more, get in touch with our dedicated advisory team today. Our advisors are available 24/7 via:

• Phone on 0800 073 8804.
• Our “Contact Us” form.
• The live chat window on your screen.

Useful Links

• Cyclist Accident Compensation Claims: Use our compensation calculator to find out how much compensation you could be entitled to.
• Cycle Accident Solicitors: If you are a cyclist knocked off bike by a car, you need the best personal injury solicitors. Talk to Legal Expert about your cycling accident claim.
• Whiplash Compensation Claim Time Limits Explained
• Hit By A Moped / Scooter As A Pedestrian Can I Claim Compensation?
• Can I Claim Compensation As A Cyclist Hit By A Vehicle Door?
• Road Traffic Accident Claims – a general and informative guide on claims for road collisions
• Car Accident Injury Payouts
• How to Report a Car Accident