Many bicycle accident victims do not realise that they are as entitled to compensation for injury (e.g. medical expenses and out-of-pocket expenses) as other victim categories.
Our team of Dublin solicitors are ready to speak to you regarding a possible bicycle accident compensation claim.
Guide to personal injury* claims
What to do when involved in a bicycle accident
It is important to deal with your claim for bike accident compensation at the earliest possible stage. This allows your solicitor to gather as much evidence as is needed in order to support your claim. The following list summarises what you need to do to progress your cycle accident claim.
Your Health and Safety
If you are a cyclist who has been involved in a road traffic accident with another vehicle, your immediate concern should be for your own health. Usually, in the battle between man and car, the cyclist tends to come off worse. Depending on the extent of your injuries, you should either have someone call an ambulance, or take yourself to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital to have any injuries treated.
Contact Details
If it is feasible, ask for the contact information of the other driver, and make a note of his/her vehicle registration. You will also need the contact details of any witnesses who may have seen the accident.
Photographic Evidence
If you have a smartphone, take several pictures of the accident scene, or if the extent of your injuries is too severe, return to the location once your injuries have received medical attention.
Call the Gardaí
In the event of a serious accident, the Gardaí will have been called and attended the scene. From there they will create a report of the accident, taking statements from all parties involved as well as any witnesses. This report will then be entered into a Road Traffic Accident Report Book and you, or your solicitor, can then retrieve a copy of it to use in support of your claim for bicycle injury compensation.
Hospital Records & Receipts
Even if your injuries appear to be minor, you should still go to your local hospital for an examination. This way you can rule out any potential effects to your long-term health. Retain any medical records, receipts for medical treatments, GP and consultant visits, as well as any medication prescribed due to the accident. This will be used to support your cycling accident claim.
Loss of Earnings
Your compensation will be partially based upon the impact the accident has had on your personal finances. If you have had to take unpaid leave as a result of the injury, or incur any additional expenses, it is important to keep a record of all receipts.
Consulting solicitors to claim for a bike accident
One of the main reasons to consult with cycling accident solicitors after a bicycle accident is that you will be claiming compensation for your injuries against the negligent driver’s insurance company. Insurance companies have full legal abilities to contest claims for compensation, so it is crucial to seek legal advice so you understand your options for a compensation claim.
There are a variety of advantages to acquiring the services of experienced bike accident solicitors for your compensation claim. Bear in mind that each individual claim will have its own unique circumstances so it is always recommended to consult with a Personal Injury firm before proceeding with a claim.
Summary
Although cyclists are one of the most exposed groups of road users, cycling injury claims for compensation are treated in exactly the same way as other road traffic accidents.
With this in mind, it must be established in cycle accident claims that the cyclist has sustained an injury as a result of someone else’s negligence.
The formalities that must be completed to meet the requirements of bicycle accident claims are the same as any other type of road traffic accident.
This means that cycling accident compensation claims have to be submitted to the Injuries Board with a copy of your medical notes and the entry in the Garda accident report book, if relevant.
The value of your personal injury claim is determined by a variety of factors, including the severity of your injuries, how long they take to heal and what impact the cyclist accident has had on other aspects of your life.
This is why it is important that you do not deal with an insurance company about bicycle accident claims. Instead, speak with experienced bicycle accident claims solicitors to ensure you receive the full award of compensation you are entitled to.
Shane Walsh Solicitor
Abbey Byrne Legal Assistant
*In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement.
What we don’t handle
So you can get the right help quickly, these are matters we do not take on.
- Accidents on holiday or abroad
- Claims against airlines
- Stress at work
- Assaults outside the workplace
- Historical child abuse
- Damage to property or vehicles where nobody was injured
For these matters, the Law Society can help you find a solicitor who deals with them.
