Bicycle Accident Solicitors & Cycling Injury Lawyers

Injured whilst riding a bicycle as a result of someone else's carelessness?

Our specialist Cycle Accident Solicitors are highly experienced in helping those injured in bicycle accidents. Our Bicycle Accident Lawyers at SDS are nationally recognised across England & Wales, and accredited by both APIL (Association of Personal Injury Lawyers) & Mass (Motoring Accidents Solicitors Society), making us an ideal choice for supporting cyclists with no win no fee injury claims.

We have years of experience and a superior degree of expertise in successfully handling injury claims following minor & severe injuries to cyclists, right through to catastrophic injury with life-changing consequences

If you or someone close has been injured in a bicycle accident and you believe the accident was the result of someone else’s fault or negligence then you may be entitled to claim financial compensation.

Take the first step, and call to speak to our experienced Cycling Accident Solicitors today.  As a major team within our Road traffic accident claims department, we have extensive knowledge and experience of cycling law and have an excellent track record of success with claims of this type. We can help.

Experts in helping injured Cyclists

Our specialist Cycle Accident Solicitors will be able to assess the likelihood of success during our free initial consultation. If we believe there is a strong case, we will be happy to represent you on a No Win No Fee basis.

We recognise that the idea of a legal court case can be daunting, especially for someone who has suffered huge stress and trauma, and our Solicitors will be considerate of this throughout. Court is always the last stop, and our experience often allows us to settle a claim out of court, but still the maximum compensation settlement possible.

Obviously, the primary goal for anyone who has suffered any type of injury is to focus their efforts on returning to full physical fitness. Our aim as your legal representative will be to fully support you on this journey.

Figures published by ‘We are Cycling UK’ indicate that there are more than 4 million+ regular adult cyclists using UK roads. By regular we mean using a bike to travel more than 3 times per week. In busy cities like London and Manchester cycling is seen as a genuine form of transport and is actively promoted by the local Government striving to reduce congestion and achieve cleaner air. In busy cities like London and Manchester however the roads are heavily congested, and cyclists remain the most vulnerable of road users most likely to be killed or injured. In the most unfortunate circumstances, we will be in your corner, to help you through the immediate aftermath of an accident and to ensure your recovery is supported fully, in all aspects of your life

Sheldon Davidson Solicitors are leading personal injury solicitors in Greater Manchester for all forms of bicycle and cycling injury claims, and we have long-standing relationships with medical professionals who offer rehabilitation, physiotherapy etc and we will look to fund any such care via your financial settlement.

We have also seen many people through such a journey of recovery before and have therefore experienced first-hand what worked well for people in a similar position. As well as your legal voice, we can offer genuine compassion for the trauma you have experienced and advice on how to fast-track your recovery. So, pick up the phone today and experience the warm, genuine, but expert approach of our Cycling Accident Solicitors.

Can I make a claim when the driver responsible for my injuries is unknown?

Cycle Accident Solicitors are often asked whether they can even pursue a claim with no one traceable to blame. The simple answer is YES.

Cyclists can often be injured without the motorist responsible even realising there has been an incident or in a hit and run accident and, in such circumstances, there is no identified negligent party.

Subject to the circumstances of your accident, you may be entitled to pursue compensation from the Motor Insurer’s Bureau (MIB) and one of our specially trained Solicitors can help you with this.

Call us today if this applies and we can guide you through the process.

Making a claim where the negligent person is known

Cycle Accident Solicitors can work much more efficiently if the negligent party is known - providing they have adequate insurance, as their insurance company will eventually pay the financial sum awarded by the court. The more evidence that can be provided to support the claim and to prove negligence the stronger the case will be. Types of evidence that can support such as case would include:

• Photographic evidence of the scene of the accident and the injuries sustained
• Any CCTV evidence leading up to and immediately after the accident (a Solicitor can help greatly in sourcing this type of evidence)
• Witness testimony from anyone who witnessed the accident
• Medical records detailing A&E treatment received, any short and long term treatment, and an assessment of the injury by a medical expert

As highly regarded legal experts our support in building a solid case can make all the difference to the final outcome and the financial sum awarded by the court. If you are looking to see justice done and to secure the compensation you deserve then look no further than Sheldon Davidson. Pick up the phone and tell us the circumstance of your accident today.

If you're looking for more information on the potential value of a personal injury claim or what amount of compensation you may receive, find out more on our cycling accident compensation claims calculator page.

How common are Cycling Accidents?

With more and more people turning to cycling to keep fit, to get about town and to reduce their carbon footprint, the number of bikes on our roads is on the rise. It might be assumed that if the number of cyclists is on the rise, the number of bike rider casualties would increase accordingly. However, research indicates that this is not necessarily the case.

Research carried out by Jacobsen in 2013, found that cyclists in areas where cycling was more popular, such as the Netherlands, California and Denmark, were at lower risk of being involved in an accident on the road than their counterparts in areas where cycling was less prevalent.

Although this is obviously positive news, the number of cyclists being injured in accidents on British roads is still alarmingly high, with figures for 2018 showing that there were 13,345 reported incidents resulting in minor injuries, 4,106 incidents resulting in serious injuries and 99 incidents which resulted in fatal injuries.

Another issue that compounds the problem is the vulnerability of cyclists. As one of the designated vulnerable road user groups, cyclists are far more likely to sustain an injury in a road traffic accident than the average road user. Unlike a car, which offers protection to its driver, a bike offers virtually no protection to a cyclist, meaning the rider themselves will generally take the full force of the impact in a collision.

Bicycle accident injuries can vary in severity, from minor grazes and broken bones to catastrophic head and brain injuries. NHS figures suggest that more than 40% of cyclists involved in an accident suffered from head injuries, ranging from serious skull fractures to minor cuts and concussion.

Being involved in a bicycle accident can be a traumatic experience and can leave the victim with life-changing injuries. Not only are some people left unable to participate in an activity they love, sometimes, where the injuries are of a more serious nature, the victim may also be left needing care from a loved one or healthcare professional.

Whilst we can’t prevent cycling accidents from happening, our Cycle Accident Solicitors can help enable you to claim the compensation you are due.

Contact our expert Cycle Accident Solicitors

The specialist Cycle Accident Solicitors at Sheldon Davidson Solicitors are passionate about helping clients to seek appropriate justice, and our track record speaks for itself.

Our Cycle Accident Solicitors act regularly for claimants across Greater Manchester including Ashton, Bury, Bolton, Radcliffe, Prestwich, Middleton, Failsworth, Rochdale, Oldham, and Whitefield.

We are accredited with Lexcel, boasting a team of highly qualified personal injury solicitors in Manchester. The Lexcel standard is only awarded by the Law Society to firms who meet the highest standards of practice management and customer service.

With Sheldon Davidson Solicitors, you can be confident that your claim is in safe hands.

Call us for free now using the number at the top of the page or complete the online contact form and a member of our team will get back to you.​​​​

Common causes of Bicycle Accident Injuries

Whilst cycling accidents can be caused in a number of different ways, figures from The Department for Transport Pedal Cycling Road Safety Factsheet suggest that there are three common contributory factors for cycling accidents:

• The rider failed to look properly
• The rider failed to judge another road user’s path or speed correctly
• The rider was careless, reckless or in a hurry

Just under half (45%) of pedal accidents occur at, or within 20 metres of a junction. Crossroads, roundabouts, T-junctions, and staggered junctions pose the greatest risk to cyclists, with T-junctions alone accounting for 37% of all KSI (killed or seriously injured) casualties and 26% of fatalities between 2011 and 2016.

While bicycle accidents at junctions account for approximately half of all the cycle injury claims we deal with, the percentage of incidents that occur at night or on wet roads is relatively small by comparison.

More often than not, road traffic accidents involving cyclists are avoidable and are frequently down to the actions of the driver, rather than the cyclist.

Car Door Accidents

Since cyclists have no seatbelt they can literally be catapulted into the air and land heavily on the ground in the event someone opens a car door directly in their path. Although it is the norm nowadays for most cyclists to wear a helmet these types of accidents can result in serious neck, back and spine injuries and badly broken bones.

Cycle Lane Accidents

The intention of a cycle lane is to afford the cyclist greater protection from motor vehicles. Often, however, motorists park their cars directly in the cycle lane, blocking the cyclist’s path, the lanes themselves are sporadic and so only available for part of a journey, they are not respected by other road users such as buses and cars and in some cases, they are on narrow roads where the actual space between the cyclist and other motor vehicles is in any case minimal. All of this exposes cyclists to greater danger, even on roads where cycle lanes are present, and collisions do still occur.

Swerving to Avoid Collision

As a result of roads becoming more heavily congested there is ever-decreasing room for both the cyclist and the motorist on Britain’s roads. Many roads also have parked cars on either side, adding to congestion and visibility issues. Many accidents involving cyclists don’t actually involve an actual collision with a moving vehicle. Often an accident and injuries suffered by a cyclist are the result of the cyclist being forced to act, by swerving, to avoid a more serious accident. In doing so they can often collide with a parked car, the kerb or pedestrians and still suffer serious injuries as a result.

Roundabouts

Roundabouts can be particularly dangerous for cyclists since motorists often approach them at high speed, they require lane changes and multiple lanes of traffic mean that cyclists are less visible to all motorists. The risk on a roundabout is a collision with a moving vehicle which can be extremely serious and in some cases fatal.

Potholes

As with motorcyclists, potholes are a major hazard for cyclists. Potholes can be the direct cause of an accident, causing a cyclist to be injured as they are thrown over the handlebars or they can indirectly cause an accident, as a cyclist is forced to swerve to avoid a pothole, colliding with passing traffic or the kerb.

One of the key issues with making a claim for an injury to a cyclist caused by a pothole is the definition of what, in the eyes of the local highway authority, constitutes a pothole. The determining factor is in the depth of the hole in the road surface, which must be at least 40mm.

Child’s Cycle Accident

Whilst every parent accepts that their child is likely to come off their bike at some stage, and probably more than once, no parent should have to accept it when their child is injured on their bike due to the carelessness or recklessness of someone else. Any injury to your child is hugely upsetting but we can help you seek justice and assist you in claiming the compensation your child deserves.

Sports Cycling Accidents

Whether you are a competitive cyclist, a coach or someone working at the venue, we understand the implications a serious cycling injury can have on your career and are here to help support you in making a claim to fund your recovery.

Talk to our expert Cycling Accident Solicitors today

No matter where you are in England & Wales, if you've been injured in a cycling accident, and the accident was caused by someone else, talk to our lawyers today for expert legal advice.

Our specialist Cycle Accident Solicitors, are nationally recognised and accredited by MASS (Motor Accident Solicitors Society).​​​​​