By Danielle Jordan. Last Updated 7th January 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
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Select A Section
- Could I 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?
- What To Do After Being Knocked Off My Bike By A Car
- Examples Of Bicycle Accident Settlement Amounts
- Make A No Win No Fee Claim After Being Knocked Off Your Bike
- Useful Links
Could I 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.
A member of our advisory team can discuss bicycle accident settlement amounts in the UK with you. They can also help value your potential claim for free. Use the contact details above to discuss your cycling accident claim.
£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 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
If you are a cyclist who has been knocked off your bike, contact our advisors for a free eligibility assessment today. If eligible, one of our dedicated road accident solicitors could offer to take your claim under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).
A CFA is a particular type of No Win No Fee contract that gives claimants some very desirable benefits, including:
- No fees to pay for the solicitor to begin work on your claim.
- There will also be no fees for that work during the claims process itself.
- Finally, if the claim is unsuccessful, you will not incur any fees for your solicitor’s services.
If you win your claim however, you will be awarded personal injury compensation. The solicitor will deduct their success fee from this compensation before transferring the remainder to you. As the percentage solicitors take as their success fee is capped at 25% by The Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013, you know that most any compensation awarded is yours to keep.
To find out more about claiming compensation after being knocked off your bike by a car, 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
