Bicycle Accident Claims*

Involved in a Bicycle Accident?

Being involved in a bicycle accident, regardless of how serious the road traffic accident was, can be a traumatic experience – especially if you have sustained any injuries. In cases where you are involved in a bicycle accident that was not your fault, there may be a legal remedy. This legal remedy you can seek by way of a bicycle accident claim.

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Common Cyclist Accident Claims*

If a driver of a motor vehicle is involved in an accident, they are somewhat protected by their insurance company. A cyclist, on the other hand, may rarely receive the same legal protection, and may often be left to fend for themselves, following an accident on the road that has left them with an injury. In cases where another party may have been responsible for your accident, resulting in injury, you may be eligible to make a bicycle accident claim. Compensation that is awarded in such cases could help you to cover the cost of medical fees, as well as any potential loss of earnings from time spent out of work.

The most common bicycle accident claims are:

• Rear-end Collision Claims*
• Hit and Run Claims*
• Roundabout Accident Claims*
• Uninsured Driver Claims*
• Accident with an Intoxicated Driver Claims*
• Accident with a foreign registered car claims*
• Side Impact Collision Claims*
• Minor Impact Road Traffic Accident Claims*

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What do I do if I'm involved in a bicycle accident?

Following a bicycle accident, as a cyclist there are a number of steps you should follow:

1. Seek medical attention

   Your health is your wealth and should be your first priority. Immediately after a bicycle accident, take a second to assess yourself to determine if you have any injuries. Then check if anybody else involved in the accident need medical attention. If you or anyone else involved has sustained a serious injury ensure that you contact an ambulance to attend the scene.

   For minor injuries, you must remember that minor injuries where you ‘feel fine’ could progress to a more serious injury in the future. In this case it is always better to be safe than sorry and advisable that you go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) or local GP to be checked out.

2. Gather all relevant information at the scene

   It is important that you collect all the relevant information in connection with your accident:

   • Detail of the driver(s) that caused the accident/people involved: name, address, contact information, vehicle registration number and vehicle insurance information. You can also offer your own information to the others involved in the accident.
   • Name and contact details of any emergency service workers at the scene – paramedic/Gardaí.
   • Take a picture of the scene, from different angles; this will help your solicitor understand how the accident happened.
   • If there are any CCTV recordings of the accident, such as CCTV cameras in a nearby shop, for example, you should try to obtain this footage.
   • Record the time and date of the accident.
   • Weather conditions at the time.

3. Report the incident to the Gardaí

   Regardless of how minor or serious the bicycle accident was, it is important that you call the Gardaí to report the accident immediately.

   For minor accidents, the Gardaí may tell you that they will not be attending the scene. It may be a case where you can settle the issue yourself. In this scenario, the appropriate information should be exchanged. In these cases, it is also important that you visit your nearest Garda station to request that they take details of the accident and to take your statement about the accident.

   For more serious bicycle accidents, where an ambulance has been called, the Gardaí may arrive at the scene to assess, take statements from the people involved and any witnesses.

4. Speak to a bicycle accident claims solicitor

   If you are considering moving forward with a bicycle accident claim for any personal injuries sustained it is advisable that you speak with a bicycle accident claims solicitor as soon as possible. If you are proceeding with a claim, the first step will be submitting your claim to the Injuries Board for assessment. A bicycle accident solicitor can help you in preparing your application to the Injuries Board and ensure that you follow the process in the correct format, meaning that you can move forward with your claim quickly without unnecessary delays.

   It is important to remember to keep copies of any expenses that you have incurred as a result of the accident. It is also imperative to retain copies of medical reports or Garda reports, where possible as you will need them when making a claim.