Written by Chris Salmon Share:

Key advice when making a cycling accident claim

  • If your cycling accident was caused by negligent driving, a poorly maintained road or a mechanical fault, you can claim compensation.
  • You can still claim if you were injured in a hit and run, or by an uninsured or foreign driver.
  • You have 3 years from the accident date or from when a medical professional diagnosed your injuries to start a claim.
  • General damages range from around £15,000 for a wrist fracture to over £300,000 for a serious head injury. Calculate your compensation here.
  • You can also claim for your medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, loss of income, and long-term care.
  • We handle claims on a no win, no fee basis.

If a cycling injury has set you back, we'll help you move forward

A cycling accident can dramatically impact your life, causing both physical injuries and emotional trauma.

If you’ve been injured in a cycling accident caused by another driver, cyclist, pedestrian, or road user, you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injuries, losses, and expenses.

With the help of a personal injury solicitor, you can make a No Win, No Fee road injury compensation claim to get the support you need.

You are not alone, over 16,000 cyclists are injured every year

The number of cyclists on Britain's roads has grown significantly in recent years. According to Cycling UK, 8.5 million people cycled more than once a week in 2021.

In 2023, there were 84 cyclist fatalities (a 7% decrease on 2022) and 14,770 casualties (gov.uk).

Cycling accidents have risen in line with the number of cyclists. According to the latest (2023) data from the Department of Transport, 11,546 cyclists were injured, 4,147 of which were killed or seriously injured in 2022.

Accident rates are likely to be substantially higher, however, as these figures are compiled from accidents that were reported to the police.

How much compensation can I claim for a cycling accident?

The level of compensation you can claim for your cycling accident will depend on:

  • the seriousness of your injury,
  • the effect your injury has on your daily routine and work life,
  • any direct financial losses or expenses resulting from the accident.

Cycling accident injury compensation calculator

Find out how much compensation you could claim in just a few minutes. Check your legal eligibility and see if you qualify for a No Win, No Fee claim.

Updated January 2025 Compensation Calculator v3.1

Average cycling accident general damages compensation table

The following cycling accident payouts refer to the Guidelines for the Assessment of General Damages in Personal Injury Cases, 17th Edition by the Judicial College (oup.com).

These tables are used by solicitors or by the courts as a starting point when calculating your compensation.

Please note: these average figures represent general damages only, and do not include any element of special damages (e.g. lost wages).

Ankle injury

Example Amount
Minor fractures, sprains, and ligament injuries with full recovery Up to £15,250
A fracture or ligament injury with mild ongoing symptoms £15,250 to £29,500
Lengthy treatment required, and your ability to walk has been permanently affected £34,740 to £55,540

Back injury

Example Amount
A back sprain, disc prolapse, soft tissue injury or minor fracture that fully recovers without surgery £2,720 to £13,870
A disc lesion, prolapse, fracture or soft tissue injury leading to chronic conditions, including pain, mobility issues, impaired sexual function, psychological effects, a risk of arthritis, spondylolisthesis, and nerve root irritation £13,870 to £30,800
Severe spinal cord damage, nerve root damage, disc lesions, fractures and soft tissues leading to serious chronic conditions £43,020 to £178,590

Elbow injury

Example Amount
Simple fractures, cuts or injuries (e.g. tennis elbow) with no permanent symptoms Up to £3,920
Simple fractures, cuts or injuries (e.g. tennis elbow) with no permanent symptoms Up to £7,210
Simple fractures, cuts or injuries (e.g. tennis elbow) with no permanent symptoms or damage Up to £13,970

Facial injury

Example Amount
Multiple fractures of facial bones, with some facial deformity £16,530 to £26,560
Le Fort fractures of frontal facial bones £26,420 to £40,760

Head & brain injuries

Example Amount
Minimal brain damage with headaches and/or ongoing symptoms £2,450 to £14,160
Good recovery, but with ongoing symptoms (e.g. poor concentration and memory) £17,000 to £47,770
Your ability to work is reduced, and ongoing symptoms include poor concentration and memory, and a risk of epilepsy £47,770 to £100,650
Your ability to work is greatly reduced, and you have ongoing care needs £100,650 to £166,540
Ongoing symptoms include a moderate to severe intellectual deficit, personality change, damage to sight, speech and/or senses, and a risk of epilepsy £166,540 to £243,040

Knee injury

Example Amount
E.g. dislocation, torn cartilage or meniscus, that could cause future symptoms or weakness, or that exacerbated an existing injury Up to £15,250
More serious knee injuries with a greater risk of future symptoms, pain and weakness £16,460 to £29,050
E.g. a leg fracture that extends to the knee joint, or injuries that cause constant pain and restricted movement, and/or a risk of osteoarthritis or future knee surgery £29,050 to £48,210
Severe symptoms, including ongoing pain, disability and which are likely to worsen and require future surgery (arthroplasty or arthrodesis) £57,830 to £77,360

Leg injury

Example Amount
Simple fracture with full recovery Up to £13,140
Simple femur fracture with no damage to articular surfaces £10,110 to £15,620
Incomplete fracture recovery with ongoing symptoms £19,930 to £30,800

Neck injury

Example Amount
Soft tissue injury £2,720 to £8,750
Fracture or dislocation injuries, or worsening of existing conditions, including wrenching, disc lesions and cervical spondylosis £27,730 to £42,700
Severe fractures, dislocation, soft tissue damage, ruptured tendons, and/or chronic disability £50,450 to £62,120
Serious fractures or damage to discs, with disability and substantial loss of neck movement, including loss of function in one or more limbs £72,950 to £145,250

Post-traumatic stress

Example Amount
Full, or near full, recovery within 1 to 2 years £4,380 to £9,070
Mostly complete recovery £9,070 to £25,680
Significant impact on your life and work, and permanent effects but with a likelihood of improvement with professional support and treatment £25,680 to £66,410

Shoulder injury

Example Amount
Soft tissue injury with recovery in under 1 year, causing considerable pain £2,720 to £8,750
Injuries causing some pain and disability, e.g. a displaced, fractured clavicle £5,710 to £13,580
Soft tissue injury with recovery in under 2 years, and/or limited shoulder movement or frozen shoulder £8,750 to £14,160
Including dislocation of the shoulder and damage to the lower part of the brachial plexus, shoulder, neck and elbow pain, rotator cuff injury, leading to weakened grip and restricted movement £14,160 to £21,300

Wrist injury

Example Amount
Relatively minor soft tissue injury or displaced fracture, with a full recovery within 12 months £3,920 to £5,260
Uncomplicated Colles' fracture Around £8,250
Fracture or soft tissue injury with complete recovery £6,750 to £11,480
Some permanent disability, persistent pain and/or stiffness £13,970 to £27,180

Road accidents and psychiatric health

Some degree of psychological trauma following a road accident is normal. Where symptoms are long-lasting or having a debilitating affect on your life, additional help and support is available.

Our 2025 Road Injury Claimant Survey highlights how common psychiatric injuries are, with 32.47% of road accident claims involving psychological harm. 78.53% of these were also associated with a physical injury.

Cyclists injured in accidents may develop a phobia of cycling (cyclophobia) or even PTSD. For a committed cyclist, this can be a devastating loss, leading to depression and social isolation.

Claiming general damages for mental and emotional distress can help provide access to mental health care and therapies, some of which might not be available through the NHS.

Our compensation calculator can estimate your compensation for psychological injuries. Or you can call us on 0800 376 1001 to speak to a specialist advisor.

Can I claim compensation for a cycling injury?

As a general rule, you can make a claim if you were injured:

  • within the last 3 years, and;
  • another person was to blame, and;
  • that person owed you a duty of care.

However, even if you think you were partly responsible for your road accident, you may still have a claim.

Find out online if you can claim with our injury claim calculator. Alternatively, you can speak to a claims advisor on 0800 376 1001 and find out if you have a claim in minutes.

Can I claim for a child or another person?

Yes. It is possible to claim compensation on behalf of another person in the capacity of a 'litigation friend'.

If an injured person is either too young or vulnerable, too injured, or otherwise unable to claim on their own behalf, their litigation friend can handle the claim process for them.

The litigation friend will be responsible for communicating with the solicitors, and for making decisions in respect of the claim.

The 3 year rule does not apply to minors. A claim can be pursued for anyone under the age of 18 by a parent, guardian or litigation friend. The injured child has up to the age of 21 to start an injury claim on their own behalf.

What should I do after a cycling accident?

If you are injured in a cycling accident, following this checklist can help support a future compensation claim:

  • Move to safety and seek immediate medical attention.
  • Obtain the driver's registration and insurance details.
  • Collect contact information from witnesses.
  • Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle positions, road markings, your clothing (proving visibility), and your injuries.
  • Report the accident to the police.
  • Document any medical treatment you receive.
  • Save receipts for bike repairs or replacements and get multiple quotes.
  • Keep your damaged bike, even if beyond repair.
  • Preserve all damaged gear, such as helmets and clothing.
  • Take pictures of damaged equipment to show the force of impact.

Helmet camera footage

Cycle helmet mounted camera footage is admissible in both civil and criminal courts. To be of use, the footage must be of sufficient quality to support your claims The footage must also show the cause of the accident e.g. if hit from behind, it is unlikely that a forward mounted camera will capture any usable footage.

Lees than 2% of claims go to court, but insurance companies more likely to admit liability in when presented with video footage.

Electric bike accident claims

If you were injured riding on an electric bike (e-bike), the claims process is very similar to claim for an accident riding a standard bike.

The main difference would depend on the power and maximum speed of your e-bike. In the UK, an electric bike with a motor output of up to 250W and a maximum speed of 15.5mph is considered an Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle (EAPC). Like a regular unpowered bike, an EAPC doesn't require the owner to have registration, insurance or a licence to ride the bike.

However, more powerful e-bikes are likely to exceed the EAPC limits, and will be classified in the same way as mopeds and motorcycles. These e-bikes will require insurance and registration to be legally ridden on UK roads, and the rider must have an appropriate licence.

If you were injured riding a high power e-bike unlawfully, because you didn't have a licence or the bike wasn't registered, you can still claim, but your prospects for success may be affected, and your compensation may be reduced.

If you are unsure how to classify your e-bike, your solicitor will confirm whether it is an EAPC, and will advise how best to recover the compensation you need after your e-bike accident.

How long does a cycling injury claim take?

How long it can take to secure compensation for a cycling accident can vary considerably.

For example, a simple uncontested road accident claim could be settled in a month or two. However, if liability is denied the process might take substantially longer. Normally a road accident claim takes between 4 and 9 months.

Read more:

How long will my injury compensation claim take?

Claiming injury compensation with a solicitor

Your solicitor will ask you about how your cycling injury happened, and they will collect evidence to prove what caused your injuries. Your solicitor will also work out how much money you can claim, based on your injuries, lost earnings and other expenses.

By law, all drivers must have insurance to cover the cost of injury compensation claims. Even if you were injured by an uninsured or untraceable driver, a claim may still be possible.

We can help you make a road accident claim on a No Win No Fee basis.

You will not need to visit a solicitor's office. As with most professional services, it is no longer necessary to meet face to face with your solicitor. Personal injury claims are dealt with via email, post, and telephone.

Should you need to have a medical, this will be arranged at a medical centre near you or at your GP's surgery.

Serious cycling injury experience

Our panel of solicitors specialise in securing maximum compensation for cycling injuries, working with insurance companies and the courts.

NHS data suggests that more than 40% of cyclists involved in an accident sustained head injuries - from severe skull fractures to minor concussions and cuts. The courts recognise the serious, and potentially long-term, impact that head and brain injuries, including concussion can have, and compensation awards and settlements consequently can be high.

Limb injuries are also common. Over 40% of cycling injuries involved arms, and over 25% involve legs. Although chest and abdomen injuries are less frequent they can be serious and often accompanied by head injuries.

Our experts have recovered compensation for cycle commuters, cycle couriers, road and mountain bikers, and sport and recreational cyclists injured:

  • drivers turning across their path, changing lanes or failing to spot them.
  • in 'dooring' incidents
  • by potholes
  • in collisions with pedestrians

Cycling injury claim FAQs

Can I claim if I was injured cycling for work?

If you were injured while cycling as part of your job, you may be able to make an injury claim.

Bicycle couriers, in particular, face daily risks, often riding 60-80 miles a day, five days a week.

If your injury was caused by an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be able to claim compensation from the third party responsible. You could also claim against your employer if they were fully or partly at fault.

We have experience assisting couriers injured in various situations, including:

  • Road accidents
  • Slips, trips, and falls while delivering on foot
  • Lifting injuries from heavy or unsuitable packages
  • Injuries from faulty equipment or lack of proper protective gear (PPE)

Read more:

Making a work accident claim

What if I'm a self-employed bike courier?

An injured cycle courier may be unable to work for an extended period, allowing them to claim for loss of earnings.

In addition to lost wages, you can claim other special damages, such as the cost of a replacement bicycle, medical treatment, and physiotherapy.

As a self-employed courier, you will be treated similarly to an employed worker when making a claim, but calculating lost earnings can be more complex. It's not as straightforward as providing wage slips, but your solicitor will help you quantify and prove lost earnings, as well as assess potential future earnings losses.

Read more:

Can I make a work injury claim if I am self-employed?

How do I claim if I was the victim of road rage?

Cyclists are often victims of road rage, with some motorists reacting aggressively towards them. This is especially dangerous for cyclists, who cannot protect themselves by staying inside a vehicle.

In some cases, drivers have intentionally driven into cyclists, causing serious harm. If an aggressive driver acts dangerously around a cyclist, the consequences can be severe.

Cyclists can claim the same damages as motorists in road rage compensation cases. However, cyclists may also suffer more intense psychological effects, such as developing a fear of cycling or being on the road, often requiring rehabilitation and psychological therapy to overcome these challenges.

Read more:

Reporting a road rage incident to the police

Can I still claim if I was partly or fully responsible?

You may still be able to claim compensation even if your actions may have contributed to the accident.

If you think you were partly responsible for the road accident or for your injury, it should still be possible to make a claim.

In these cases, claims are usually settled with a split liability agreement.

For example, if you were 50% responsible for your injuries, you would receive 50% less compensation.

How do I claim if the driver was uninsured or untraceable?

If the driver responsible for the injury is either uninsured or untraceable, a claim can be pursued through the Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB).

The MIB is an independent body that pays road accident compensation to the victims of uninsured or untraced (unidentified) drivers.

How do I claim if I have specialist cycle insurance?

Although cycle insurance is not legally required, around 5% of regular cyclists have taken out a policy.

Cycle insurance is generally targeted at more serious cyclists and usually covers property damage, public liability, and personal accident cover. Depending on the policy, you may receive cash payments if hospitalised, with additional payouts based on the severity of your injuries. Most policies cap payouts at around £10,000 to £20,000.

Personal injury awards for cyclists often exceed these amounts and can be much higher depending on the injury. As a vulnerable road user, cyclists often receive higher compensation awards.

Even if you have insurance, it’s recommended to speak to one of our cycling accident advisors for guidance on how to proceed with a claim.

Can I still claim if I was cycling at night without lights?

There are fewer cycling accidents during the day compared to at night.

According to Section 60 of the Highway Code, it is illegal to cycle on public roads after dark without proper lights and reflectors. While this doesn’t prevent you from making a cycling injury claim, it can impact the compensation awarded.

If the accident occurred between sunset and sunrise, and the cyclist didn’t have proper lights, the courts may consider you partially or fully at fault for not being visible. This is known as 'contributory negligence.'

A judge may rule that had the cyclist complied with the law, the accident or injury might have been avoided or less severe.

In cases of contributory negligence, the compensation is typically adjusted through a 'split liability' agreement, where the award is reduced based on the level of fault attributed to each party.

Read more:

Can I claim if I was injured cycling at night without lights?

Can I claim if I was cycling on the pavement?

According to the Highways Act 1835, cycling on the pavement is illegal in England and Wales. But if you were injured cycling on the pavement you may still be able you claim compensation.

Read more:

Can I claim if I was injured when cycling on the pavement?

How soon will I get compensation?

If you are unable to work and have bills to pay, you may be able to claim an interim compensation payment.

An interim payment is an advance on your compensation payment. Any amount you receive in interim payments would be deducted from your final compensation payment.

Can I make a no win, no fee cycling accident injury claim?

Yes. With no win, no fee, you can claim cycling accident injury compensation without financial risk. If your claim isn't successful, you pay nothing. If you win, you only pay a pre-agreed percentage of your compensation.

Find out more about how no win, no fee claims work

Get expert advice now

Interested in talking to a road accident specialist about your claim?

  • Calls are FREE
  • Confidential consultation
  • No obligation to claim
  • No Win No Fee solicitors

Call 0800 376 1001

or arrange a callback

Sources

(reviewed: 28/07/2024)

(reviewed: 31/07/2024)

Chris Salmon, Director

Author:
Chris Salmon, Director