Cycle accidents in London: a traffic accident lawyer‘s advice

Cycling in London is big these days. Traffic congestion, unreliable public transport and considerable  financial and health benefits have seen more and more Londoners take to the saddle. But according to our personal injury solicitors, London cycling does pose the risk of accidents caused by faulty road surfaces or heavy traffic. If you are unlucky enough to have an accident that was not your fault, you may have the right to make a claim for compensation.

 

The most common causes of city cycle accidents

Transport for London offers useful safety advice for cyclists, and naturally our personal injury lawyers and traffic accident lawyers advocate observing all safety rules. BioMed Central published research in 2010 showing that the most common cause of cycling fatalities in the capital is freight vehicles, with more than half of them turning left at the time of the accident. Undertaking on your bike is extremely dangerous – yet many cyclists still don’t realise how vulnerable they are in these circumstances.

Traffic accident lawyers know all too well what the fallout of a cycle accident can be. Almost 500 fatalities occurred as the result of a road cycle accident between 2006 and 2011. In recent years the death rate has declined, but with more than 500,000 cycle journeys taking place in London every day there is always a chance that an accident might occur. In early 2012 the Telegraph published a map of cycle accident hotspots in London. However it’s impossible to monitor exactly how many cycle accidents happen, since many minor accidents are never reported either to the Police or to traffic accident lawyers.

 

I have had a cycle accident: what can personal injury solicitors help me claim for?

There are a number of ways in which personal injury lawyers can help you after a cycle accident. These depend on the circumstances and damage caused. However they can range from claiming for the cost of repairing your bike to replacing accessories such as lights, helmets and even clothing.

If you have been injured you can also seek compensation for any loss of earnings through time off work, specialist medical treatment for your injury, and other expenses such as travel costs. A good firm of personal injury solicitors will assess your case fully, walk you through the options, and help you decide what you should be claiming for and why.

 

Who will the personal injury lawyers make my claim against?

This entirely depends on the cause of your accident. If you have suffered injury due to a faulty road surface, for example, than your personal injury solicitors will pursue a claim directly against the council responsible for road maintenance. It’s a good idea to take photographs of the obstruction as soon as you can after the accident. Personal injury lawyers know that you may well be in shock or injured straight after an accident, and will be quite willing to assess evidence gathered by returning to the scene afterwards.

If, however, your accident has been caused by a collision with another vehicle that was not your fault, then traffic accident lawyers will typically help you to make a claim for compensation through the other party’s insurance – which is a legal requirement for all motor vehicles in the UK.

 

Do I need cycle insurance to make a claim through a firm of personal injury lawyers?

Some cyclists are reticent about claiming for compensation if they are not insured. However  insurance is not a legal stipulation for cyclists. Therefore, even if you are not insured, your personal injury solicitors will still be able to help you make a claim.

When you approach a firm of personal injury lawyers they will assess your case on an individual basis and advise you as to whether you can make a claim, what you can claim for and the level of compensation you should seek. But take care to ensure your personal injury solicitors are a well established firm with a track record of expertise in cycle and road accidents.

Universa’s personal injury solicitors and traffic accident lawyers are highly experienced in dealing with cycle accidents and helping our clients to win the compensation they are entitled to. What sets us apart is the quality, experience and ethical approach of our people. If you think you might be entitled to claim for a cycle accident contact us today. You’ll enjoy professional advice, a friendly approach, and our full guarantee that every claim is pursued on a strictly no fee – win or lose basis.