Like with any other injury compensation claim, when making a cycling accident claim, there are two things that you must be able to prove. Firstly, you must be able to prove that the other party was at fault. Secondly, you must be able to prove that the injury or damage you suffered was caused due to that negligence of the other party.
Due to the recent environment concerns about global warming and the emissions that are constantly being released from motor vehicles, some of us have opted for the much cheaper, more efficient way of getting to work via bicycle. Not only is cycling to work better for the environment, it is a much cheaper way of travelling to and from work, and means that we don’t spend endless hours stuck in traffic jams.
In 2007 more than 3.5 million cycles were sold, which is a huge increase compared to the 2.8 million sold in the year 2000. With the increase of the cycle lanes in the U.K, cycling to work is appealing to more and more people.
When you choose to cycle as a means or getting around rather than using public transport or driving, there are a number of precautions you should follow to prevent becoming involved in a road traffic accident. You should wear a safety helmet at all times; these are a big investment, because in the unfortunate event that you do become involved in an accident, they can protect you from serious injury.
It is also important that you make sure other drivers can see you and your bicycle, especially in the hours of darkness. You should wear high visibility clothing and attach high visibility strips to your wheels. It is also a good idea to attach a light to the front or rear of your bicycle.
If you do become involved in a cycling accident there are a number of things you should do after the accident:
- You should ensure that you get the details of the other party involved in the accident.
- Report the accident to the police if they are not already aware of the accident. This could be of great importance if the other party fails to cooperate with anything after the accident.
- Seek medical advice after the accident if you have suffered any injuries. It is important you make your GP aware of how you suffered your injuries, which will not only help them diagnose any injuries, but it will also count as sufficient evidence if you decide to make an injury compensation claim at a later date.
- If possible, take photos of the accident scene or of any visible injuries sustained due to the accident.
For more information on making compensation claims, or if you would like to make a claim, contact the Injury Lawyers for fee, no obligation advice about claiming.
