While cycling as a means of transport becomes increasingly popular unfortunately the incidence of cycling accidents is also on the rise. It is important to be aware of what you need to do if you are one of the unlucky cyclists involved in a cycling accident.
Efforts are being made in towns and cities across the UK to improve conditions for cyclists and to make road users more aware of cyclists on the roads however there is a long way to go before cyclists feel comfortable. According to the accident prevention charity RoSPA over 16,000 cyclists have an accident every year. They also estimate that around 60 to 90 percent of accidents go unreported. If you are in a cycling accident whether you are injured or not it’s a good idea to be familiar with how you can report the accident properly if you want to make a cycling accident claim.
The practical steps to making a claim
Assuming you are in a fit enough state one of the first things you should do is take some photos. Your mobile phone is fine to use. Not only should you try and take photos of any injuries you have sustained but also any damage to your bike. If there were any obstructions on the road that may have been the cause of the accident then you should photograph the immediate and surrounding scene as well showing a good perspective.
If you decide to take your claim to a cycling accident claims company for advice and assistance such as the ethical cycling claims companyCyclaim another vital part of building your case is taking down the contact details of any witnesses at the scene. You should of course take down the details of any third party involved. These are all important details that a claims company and solicitor will need to process your claim.
Naturally if you are injured and require medical attention you should ensure that copies of your medical reports are obtained to help process your claim. A claims company can also help to arrange any follow up treatment such as physiotherapy that may be required.
Simplifying claims with assistance
Claims companies and solicitors can also be of great assistance when it comes to the amount of administration involved in making a claim. They can be your representative when it comes to liaising with the police, the hospital, doctors and any third party contact required. They can also process a lot of the paperwork so that you can concentrate on recovering.
Most claims are dealt with quickly within a few months and some may take longer depending on the complexity of each case. Most cycling claims will end in a settlement offer and rarely go to court, although this can happen especially in very serious and detailed cases where an agreement is less likely to be reached quickly.