ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT COMPENSATION

Each year in the UK there are almost 25,000 accidents involving cyclists of which over 3,000 cause serious personal injury including several hundred deaths. Cyclists are more than 10 times more likely to be killed or injured on the roads than are drivers or passengers in cars. Road traffic accident compensation claims can be made in most cases as car drivers are almost always determined to be fully or partially to blame in collisions involving cyclists. Whilst most accidents are caused by drivers either pulling out unexpectedly or failing to see a cyclist at a junction there are many occasions where cyclists are to blame for their own injury including riding without lights, riding two or more abreast, ignoring traffic lights or signs by pavement riding, failing to properly indicate or riding without lights or riding at dusk and dawn with dark clothing.

Many cyclist ride for pleasure and in 2000 Britain’s National Cycling Network was unveiled offering 5,000 miles of protected cycling paths which will eventually expand to 10,000 miles, the intention being to persuade cyclists to carry out recreational cycling in a safe environment rather than on busy and dangerous roads. The network passes through both town and country with the intention when completed that half the UK population will be within two miles of a track which should reduce the number of collisions and subsequent road traffic accident compensation claims.

The Transport Research Laboratory indicates that one in six cyclists observed in roadside surveys throughout the country wore cycle helmets with children being more likely to wear helmets than adults. Usage was much higher than average in London, where 38 per cent wore helmets. About a half of all cyclists actually own a helmet but most do not bother to wear it. Children are more likely to own helmets than adults. Less than half of those aged 24 or less who ever wore a helmet, wore it all the time, compared with over three quarters of those helmet-wearers aged 25 or more.

The Limitation Act 1980 determines the applicable time limits for making road traffic accident compensation claims for personal injury which must be either settled or legal proceedings must have been issued within three years of the accident. There are exceptions to this general rule for those under the age of 18 years at the time of the accident, for those who are mentally disabled and in cases where the injury was not apparent immediately following the accident. Failure to abide by the time limits may mean that the potential claim becomes statute barred and the opportunity to claim compensation may be lost forever. If in any doubt about these matters take immediate qualified legal advice.

Our solicitors deal with cycling accident claims using the no win no fee scheme. We do not ask you to contribute financially as your claim proceeds and there are no expenses to pay. Compensation is paid in full with no deductions. We offer free advice with no obligation from specialist solicitors who are members of the Law Society panel of personal injury experts. If after talking to us you decide to proceed no further then that is of course your prerogative. We will not charge you for any advice which is given freely with no further obligation. Just use the contact form or the helpline and an experienced lawyer will discuss your potential claim.