A Case Study On Bicycle Accident Settlement Amounts
By Danielle Jordan. Last Updated 5th April 2024. 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.
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Select A Section
- When Could You Make A Claim For Being A Cyclist Knocked Off A Bike?
- £15,000 Compensation For A Cycling Claim – Case Study
- How Long Does A Cyclist Knocked Off A Bike Have To Start A Claim?
- What Evidence Can Help You Claim Bike Injury Compensation?
- Examples Of Bicycle Accident Settlement Amounts
- How Are Bicycle Accident Settlement Amounts Calculated?
- Make A No Win No Fee Claim After Being Knocked Off Your Bike
- Useful Links
When Could You Make A Claim For Being Knocked Off A Bike?
When navigating the roads, all road users are expected to do so in a way that prevents injury and damage to themselves and others. This is their duty of care. As part of this duty, they are expected to comply with any relevant rules and regulations found in the Highway Code. In addition to this, certain road users, such as drivers must comply with the Road Traffic Act 1988.
If you would like to seek compensation for injuries you suffered as a cyclist who was knocked off your bike, you will need to meet the eligibility requirements. This means that in order to make a personal injury claim, you must be able to prove that:
- You were owed a duty of care.
- This duty was breached.
- As a result of this breach, you suffered injuries.
If you have any questions about bicycle accident settlement amounts in the UK or if you would like a free valuation of your potential claim, get in touch with an advisor from our team.
£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.
How Long Does A Cyclist Knocked Off A Bike Have To Start A Claim?
If you have valid grounds to make a personal injury claim after being knocked off your bicycle, you should know that there is a time limit for getting your claim underway. As set out by the Limitation Act 1980, there is generally a three-year time limit for a cyclist knocked off their bike to start a claim. This time limit usually starts from the date the injury occurred.
Under certain circumstances, the time limit can work differently. If, for instance, a child has been injured, then the time limit is paused until the day of their 18th birthday. A claim could be made on the child’s behalf by a court-appointed litigation friend before they turn 18. However, if this does not happen, then the injured party will have three years to start a claim from their 18th birthday.
If the injured party lacks the mental capacity to make a claim, then the three-year time limit is suspended indefinitely. A litigation friend could claim on the injured party’s behalf during this time. If, however, the injured party later regains their mental capacity and a claim hasn’t already been made, then the three-year time limit will start from the date of recovery.
Contact our advisors either online or on the phone today if you have any questions about starting a cycling injury claim.
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.
Examples Of Bicycle Accident Settlement Amounts
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 (16th Edition). This text provides guideline compensation amounts for different injuries and illnesses in varying severities.
Let’s take a look at some potential bicycle accident settlement amounts. Please bear in mind these figures relate to injuries only. Below, we explain what other things you can claim for, as well as how compensation claims are calculated.
- Head and brain injuries – Up to £403,990
- Injury to the back – Up to £160,980
- Leg injuries – Up to £282,010
- Broken wrist – Up to £59,860
- Spinal cord injuries – Up to £160,980
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – Up to £100,670
- Hip and pelvis injuries – Up to £130,930
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.
However, you will need to provide evidence regarding your financial losses to be able to claim them back under special damages, such as bank statements and invoices.
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.
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.
How Are Bicycle Accident Settlement Amounts Calculated?
The overall bicycle accident settlement you receive could include compensation both for your physical injuries and your financial losses, as explained above.
However, the figure you receive can depend on different factors.
When it comes to your physical injuries, it’s important to determine their severity and how much they’ve impacted your life. It’s then necessary to look at whether or not those injuries will fully heal.
More severe and permanent injuries tend to receive higher compensation awards.
In order to work out the severity of the injury and if there’ll be any ongoing problems, your solicitor will request that you be examined by an independent medical expert as part of the claim. They’ll assess you and compile their findings in a report which will be used as evidence in your case.
If you have any questions about how compensation is calculated in bicycle accident claims, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Make A No Win No Fee Claim After Being Knocked Off Your Bike
Have you been knocked off your bike by a car? A road accident solicitor could help you settle your claim under a Conditional Fee Agreement. This is a No Win No Fee arrangement in which you usually aren’t charged fees by your solicitor upfront or as the claim is underway.
Solicitors who work under No Win No Fee arrangements won’t charge you for their services if your claim is not successful either. However, a success fee is taken from your compensation should your claim succeed. The percentage solicitors take from a claimant’s cycling accident compensation amounts is capped under the Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013.
If you would like to be connected with a No Win No Fee solicitor, or have questions about compensation amounts in the UK, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
You can reach out to our advisors at any time and for free via the following ways:
- Ring 0800 073 8804
- Email info@legalexpert.co.uk
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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
