Cycling accident claims

The personal injury team at Penningtons Manches Cooper advises on a wide range of claims for cyclists, including those involving brain and spinal cord injuries, traumatic amputation and fatal accidents. Our experts are able to guide you through the whole claims process, from rehabilitation to compensation.

Specialist cycling accident claims solicitors

We are recognised as among the leading personal injury advisers in the UK with members of our team approved as specialists by the Law Society and the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL). We are also accredited with the Spinal Injuries Association and Headway. A number of our lawyers are experienced cyclists and understand cyclists’ interaction with other road users. We recognise that they are often unfairly blamed for causing collisions when they have sustained serious injury through no fault of their own. In numerous cases, our team has successfully challenged those misconceptions.

We adapt our advice to each client’s needs, whether they have been involved in a collision with motorists or injured in accidents caused by, for example, the state of the road or a poorly serviced bicycle. Our lawyers seek to achieve the best settlements in terms of financial compensation, including obtaining early interim payments to help in the short term and dealing with other needs resulting from accidents such as loss of earnings, rehabilitation, care and assistance, accommodation and equipment, transport, pain management, therapy, appropriate treatment and damage to the bike itself.

Penningtons Manches Cooper has an excellent team that is able to handle tricky personal injury litigation.

Where liability for the bike accident is disputed, we will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the collision, review police evidence and, if necessary, instruct specialist experts in accident reconstruction and cycling safety. We often take over cases for cyclists seriously injured in a crash, who have been advised by their lawyer that their claim has limited prospects, and are happy to provide a second opinion.

Initial advice is offered free of charge and without obligation. This can include guidance provided by telephone, a visit from one of our specialist solicitors or a review of your documents. We offer various forms of funding, including no win no fee (conditional fee) agreements. Our team aims to ensure that you receive maximum compensation while minimising the legal costs involved.

How we help our clients

Cases where cyclists are hit by vehicles blindly turning into their path

Cases where cyclists have been hit by drivers opening car doors

Accidents caused by motorists cornering on the wrong side of the road

Investigating incidents involving dangerous overtaking or drivers ‘jumping’ the lights

Claims arising from motorists driving in a cycle lane

Advising on accidents caused by inadequate bike repairs

Cases involving drivers without insurance or hit and run accidents

Injuries caused by defective roads, particularly potholes

Accidents resulting from defects in the manufacture of bikes or tyres

Insurance companies disputing liability owing to the quality or absence of helmets

Useful resources

Funding a personal injury claim

Making a personal injury claim

Those representing me showed a strong awareness of my injury and the effects on my life, which was reflected in the way they conducted my case.

The team offers a high level of expertise and client-focused guidance. From the beginning, contact and engagement has been professional, caring and comprehensive.

The team are prompt and clear with their knowledge, and explain things easily and in a way that demonstrates deep understanding of the processes involved.

The whole team is superb and works well together. The level of expertise is excellent.

Leading practice, well known for its expertise in catastrophic injury cases, particularly matters arising from RTAs. Handles a range of claims pertaining to fatal accidents, head and spinal injuries and amputations.

Recent work highlights

Injury in London cycle lane

Settling a claim for a cyclist against Transport for London and the local council after he came off his bike riding through unprotected roadworks in a cycle lane near a bus stop.

Road collision with 4×4 vehicle

Obtaining compensation for a cyclist who was seriously injured when a 4×4 turned across his path into a side road without giving way, resulting in an unavoidable collision.

Serious accident after cycle shop negligence

Securing damages for a client who suffered a brain injury when the carbon forks on his bike collapsed after a cycle shop failed to repair damage previously caused when he was ‘doored’ by a car.

Settlement for cyclist hit by van

Recovering substantial damages for a young man in his 30s who suffered permanent spinal cord injury and paralysis as a result of being hit while cycling by a van whose driver failed to keep a proper look at the road ahead.

Damages for wing mirror incident

Representing a client who had been cycling along a main road when an HGV drove past him so closely that the nearside wing mirror knocked him to the ground. After some dispute as to liability, we achieved significant damages for him.

Case studies

We were approached by the father of a man who had been involved in a significant road accident when a van drove into the rear of his bicycle.

We recovered compensation for our client, a keen cyclist who was training for a competitive triathlon when hit by a car, sustaining serious injuries.

We secured damages for a cyclist badly injured, suffering multiple fractures, as a result of another cyclist’s negligence.

Our personal injury team represented the wife of a man who was killed in a cycling accident in the Peak District when a motorbike lost control on a corner and hit him head on.

Our client was cycling on a busy road when he was suddenly knocked off his bicycle by a wooden bed base which had not been properly secured to the defendant’s vehicle.