You Don't Realise How Vulnerable Cyclists Are Until You've Hit Them

More people are opting to cycle to work rather than drive or use public transport. With a recent 5p increase in fuel duty and unreliable expensive transport services, cycling is the cheaper alternative. Although you can get very good bicycles cheap, you do not need insurance to be out on the road. However the downside is the high risk of a bicycle accident when you're on the move.

How to avoid cycle accidents?

• Make sure you wear a neon vest after dusk
• Have reflective lights fitted to the back, front and the wheels of your bicycle
• Don’t be intimidated by drivers trying to overtake you as you have just as much right to be there as they do
• Remember to signal when turning corners
• Watch out for pedestrians trying to cross the road and drivers opening car doors

By taking all of the above into consideration when out on your bicycle, it will reduce the risk of an accident.

What to do if you're involved in a bicycle accident?

The first thing to do is call the police to obtain a crime reference number. If there are any witnesses, make sure you get their details too. When you go home write down all the details about the accident as you may forget some important information that would be useful for a valid bicycle compensation claim.

There are two types of causes for accidents that occur while riding a bicycle. The first is on dangerous road conditions that are likely to cause accidents such as: poor visibility on cycle paths, pot holes, obstructions on cycle paths and poor cycle path surfaces. If you are involved in an accident that was beyond your control and not caused by a car, then you may be able to claim compensation from the council. If the accident was caused by poor road surfaces, then the local authority is liable for the claim.

If you are involved in an accident caused by a car, then there are specialist bicycle accident lawyers who__can help in a personal injury claim. There are now many cycle attorneys/lawyers who can guide you through the claim compensation process. Remember you can only claim for bicycle compensation if it was not your fault (if the fault was your own, then there is no available compensation).

You can also seek compensation if the driver was uninsured and you were injured or if the accident was a hit and run and there are no details for the other driver. Bicycle failure can be claimed through the manufacturer while accidents caused by buses and HGVs through the third party insurance company.