Can A Cyclist Hit By A Car Claim Compensation?

In 2023 alone, there were 14,999 road traffic accidents involving a cyclist (according to the statistics found within the pedal cycle factsheet produced by the Department for Transport). Lacking the protection of motorists, cyclists are particularly vulnerable to suffering catastrophic injuries if they are involved in an accident with a car. If you have been injured through the negligent actions of a road user, you may be able to claim cyclist hit by car compensation.

Road traffic accident compensation can help you seek monetary damages for your physical and psychological harm, as well as the financial consequences of your injuries. If you have faced this uncertainty and were left out of pocket, compensation can help provide much-needed relief and fund your recovery.

Here at UK Law, we understand that the impact of a cycling accident can last long after the incident, but you don’t have to face this difficult time alone. Our advisors are here to help you explore your options and explain how one of the dedicated solicitors from our expert panel can help you claim. To do so, please reach out today.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Cyclist Hit By Car Compensation Amounts
2. How Can Compensation Help A Cyclist Hit By A Car?
3. Can Cyclists Claim Compensation If Hit By A Car?
4. What Could Cause A Car To Hit A Cyclist?
5. What Injuries Might A Cyclist Sustain After A Collision?
6. How To Prove The Driver Of The Car Was At Fault
7. How Long After Being Hit By A Car Can A Cyclist Claim?
8. No Win No Fee Cyclist Compensation Claims
9. Learn More

Cyclist Hit By Car Compensation Amounts

Generally, cyclist hit by car compensation amounts depend on the type and severity of the injury, the long-term impact, and any financial losses. Compensation can encompass 2 distinct heads of claim, called general and special damages. These both serve different purposes:

• General damages account for the physical and psychological damage caused by your injuries, and any loss of amenity (how your daily life is adversely affected).
• Special damages solely focus on the monetary losses that have been incurred because of your cycling injuries. We discuss how this is calculated in further detail below.

When valuing general damages, professionals can refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This document provides categories of injury types and severities, together with their suggested compensation brackets. 

The table below shows brackets of compensation taken from the JCG. Please be aware that they are not a guarantee of compensation, and the top row has not been taken from the JCG.

Injury	Notes/Severity	Compensation
Multiple Very Severe Injuries + Special Damages	Special damages might be for lost income, home adaptation costs, and medical expenses	Up to £1,000,000+
Head/Brain	Very Severe - there might be some limited ability to follow commands	£344,150 to £493,000
Paralysis	Paraplegia - the amount will be impacted by the level of independence	£267,340 to £346,890
Back	Severe (i) - Damage to the nerve roots or spinal cord	£111,150 to £196,450
Neck	Severe (i) - commonly associated with incomplete paraplegia	In the Region of £181,020
Arm Amputation	Loss of 1 Arm (ii) - above-elbow amputation	£133,810 to £159,770
Leg	Severe (ii) Very Serious - permanent problems with mobility	£66,920 to £109,290
Pelvic/Hips	Severe (iii) - including acetabulum fractures causing degenerative changes	£47,810 to £64,070
Shoulder	Severe - often involving brachial plexus damage	£23,430 to £58,610
Injuries Affecting Senses - Deafness	Total Loss of Hearing in 1 Ear - top end of bracket will have connected problems like dizziness or headaches	£38,210 to £55,570

Our advisors are available throughout the week, so please reach out if you have any questions about cyclist hit by car compensation.

How Can Compensation Help A Cyclist Hit By A Car?

Compensation can help a cyclist hit by a car by enabling them to recover the financial losses they have incurred due to their injury. Claiming for these costs under special damages can, in turn, provide economic relief and support your immediate and long-term needs as you navigate your rehabilitation. 

Special damages can be claimed back for costs, such as:

• Loss of earnings: Whether current or future, if you are unable to work or have reduced hours, lost income can be quantified and reimbursed as special damages.
• Medical treatment: If you require ongoing prescriptions, corrective surgeries (or any other private medical treatments unavailable on the NHS).
• Care: You may need to pay out-of-pocket for a professional carer or extra support for your children. Care costs can be a huge expense, and can also encompass support from family.
• Vehicle or home adaptations: If your cycling accident injury left you with a disability, you can claim for the cost of any accessibility improvements you have needed to make.

Special damages can also include the cost of travelling to medical appointments, property damage, and specialist mobility aids. It is important to note that you will need evidence of these financial losses to claim for them; this may include payslips, bank statements, and invoices.

A solicitor from our panel can help with gathering the documentation you need, so please reach out to an advisor to find out how they can make the process as seamless as possible for you.

Can Cyclists Claim Compensation If Hit By A Car?

Yes, cyclists are able to claim compensation if they are hit by a car and injured because the driver acted negligently. In order to prove this, it must be shown that:

• A car driver owed you a duty of care
• This duty was breached
• Their breach led to you sustaining an injury as a result 

All road users have a legal responsibility (essentially, a duty of care) to operate on the roads in a way that avoids causing harm to others or themselves. Under this duty of care, cyclists, drivers, and others are also expected to adhere to both the Highway Code and the Road Traffic Act 1988. 

Can I Claim For A Loved One Injured By A Car Whilst Cycling?

Yes, you can claim for a loved one who has been injured by a car whilst cycling if they are too young (under 18) or lacking in mental capacity to pursue compensation independently of someone else. If your loved one falls into either category, you have the option of claiming for them by becoming a litigation friend. This role would give you authority to act on their behalf and in their best interests.

Fatal Cyclist Hit By Car Compensation

Within the first 6 months that someone loses their life in an accident, fatal cyclist hit by car compensation can be pursued by the deceased’s estate. This is possible through the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1934, which allows the estate to seek compensation for the pain, suffering, and loss suffered by the deceased up to their death. 

Under the 1934 act, the estate can also claim on behalf of dependants. However, if the estate doesn’t do so within that 6-month period, the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 permits qualifying relatives to seek compensation for the impact of their loved one’s passing.

We understand this topic can be challenging, but our advisors are on hand to listen and provide free, sensitive advice on pursuing compensation. You can also read our dedicated guide to making a fatal accident compensation claim.

What Could Cause A Car To Hit A Cyclist?

Distracted or impaired driving, poor observation of surroundings, and speeding could all cause a car to hit a cyclist. Other common reasons include failing to yield, failing to check blind spots, or even driving aggressively. 

With this said, a car could hit a cyclist if:

• A driver speeding while pulling out from a side road fails to check for approaching traffic or cyclists, causing a severe collision that results in a serious back injury and permanently impacts your mobility.
• A car user performs a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre by cutting back into traffic too soon. This cuts off your cycling path and causes a collision, resulting in a broken leg and lacerations. Under Rule 212 of the Highway Code, car users should provide as much room as they would when overtaking a car.
• While cycling, a driver who is under the influence of drugs loses control of their car and careens into you. This impact leads to a serious head injury and long-term post-traumatic stress disorder. 

These examples are illustrative, and we understand that these aren’t the only ways in which you could be hit by a car as a cyclist. To discuss your experience, please get in touch with our advisors, who can review the specifics of your case and explain the options available to you.

What Injuries Might A Cyclist Sustain After A Collision?

Fractures, sprains, strains, head trauma, and spinal damage are some of the injuries that a cyclist might sustain after a collision. Depending on the nature of the accident, cyclists could also suffer:

• Back or neck injuries
• Paralysis 
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Contusions, lacerations, or bruising 
• Crush injuries 
• Internal organ damage 
• Joint injuries to the knees, hips, or shoulders 

Lacking the protection of other road users, cyclists are particularly vulnerable to suffering life-threatening, catastrophic injuries. Not only this, but they can also sustain multiple injuries, all of which can be claimed when pursuing cyclist hit by car compensation. If you would like to discuss the injuries you suffered in confidence, please get in touch with our advisors today.

How To Prove The Driver Of The Car Was At Fault

To prove that the driver of the car was at fault for your injury because of their negligent actions, you can use evidence like a copy of your medical records, CCTV or dashcam footage, and photographs. This evidence should show that their negligent actions or inactions were a direct cause of your injuries. In a cyclist hit by car compensation claim, this documentation can encompass:

• Scans, test results, GP notes, and other medical evidence that can help show the extent of your injuries
• Contact details for anyone who could give a witness statement to your solicitor
• CCTV or dashcam footage showing the circumstances of the car accident
• A police report, if one was made
• The insurance details, vehicle registration number, and contact details of the driver involved in the accident

We understand that it can often feel daunting to gather evidence while navigating a recovery, but you do not have to do this alone. If you connect with a solicitor from our panel, they will help you gather these documents and create a strong body of evidence to strengthen the basis of your claim.

How Long After Being Hit By A Car Can A Cyclist Claim?

Cyclists typically have 3 years from the date of the accident to bring a claim, as established by the Limitation Act 1980. With that said, some exceptions may apply in certain cases; you can read about them in our time limits guide or discuss them in more detail with our advisory team. 

No Win No Fee Cyclist Compensation Claims

Here at UK Law, our panel of expert solicitors work on No Win No Fee cyclist compensation claims nationwide, providing dedicated support that always puts clients first. This type of claim uses a contract called a Conditional Fee Agreement, which offers several benefits to clients. 

Under a CFA, you’d have no payments to make in service fees for your solicitor to start working on your case. Furthermore, you’d have no ongoing service fees to pay during the claim’s progression, nor if it were to fail.

On the flipside, if your claim were to win, then a small percentage would be taken out of your compensation as a success fee. This percentage is capped by law, so you would receive the majority of your compensation. 

Besides the benefits of a No Win No Fee agreement, working with a solicitor from our panel means that you can expect:

• Constant assistance and support to make claiming as seamless as possible
• Regular contact regarding the progression of your case
• Straightforward explanations of complex legal terminology or processes
• Professional handling of correspondence with all relevant parties
• Expert negotiations to secure a settlement on your behalf that reflects the full extent of your injuries and their impact

Contact Our Advisors To Start Your Claim

To contact one of our advisors and find out if you can start your claim, you can:

• Call us 020 3870 4868
• Fill out our claim online form
• Speak with an advisor using our live chat

Learn More

Why not learn more by reading our other guides about:

• How to make a taxi accident claim
• What is a split liability claim?
• Passenger accident claims and how to seek compensation

External resources:

• A government overview of Statutory Sick Pay
• Cycle safety information from Think!
• Returning to work following a period of sickness by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

Thank you for reading our cyclist hit by car compensation guide.