Bicycle Accident Claims: Knocked Off Your Bike and What You Can Claim
A bicycle accident claim is a personal injury claim against the insurer of the driver who caused a collision with a cyclist, or against the council for a road defect, or through the Motor Insurers' Bureau where the driver drove off or was uninsured; it covers the injury, lost earnings, the bike and the kit, it must normally start within three years, and National Accident Support Line assesses whether you have a claim and refers it to a specialist solicitor with a callback within 2 minutes.
Cyclists get hit at junctions, get doored, get squeezed at pinch points and get thrown by potholes, and in every one of those the first response from the other side is that the cyclist should have been more careful. Since 2022 the Highway Code has said the opposite: drivers carry the greater responsibility because they can do the greater harm. This page covers who is liable in each situation, what a claim includes, and what to do in the first hour.
We'll call you back within 2 minutes with a straight answer on where you stand.
Who is responsible for a bicycle accident
It depends on what caused it. A driver who turned across you, pulled out of a junction, overtook too close or opened a door into your path is responsible, through their insurer. The Highway Code's hierarchy of road users, in force since January 2022, requires drivers to give cyclists at least 1.5 metres when overtaking, to give way to cyclists going straight ahead at junctions, and to check for cyclists before opening a door. A local council is responsible for a pothole or road defect it failed to repair. A hit-and-run or uninsured driver's victim claims through the Motor Insurers' Bureau. Where a defective bike part caused the crash, the manufacturer or the shop may be responsible.
What a bicycle accident claim covers
The injury and its effect on your life. Lost earnings while you could not work. Treatment, physiotherapy and travel. Care from family. Your bike, repaired or replaced at its value, and your helmet, clothing, lights, computer and any other kit damaged in the crash. A helmet that has taken an impact is finished whether or not it looks damaged, and it is replaced, not repaired. Where the injury is lasting, the future losses that follow.
Common bicycle accidents and who answers for them
| What happened | Who is usually responsible | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Driver turned across you at a junction | The driver | Drivers must give way to cyclists going straight ahead |
| Car door opened into your path | The driver or passenger who opened it | "Dooring" is the door-opener's fault; the vehicle's insurer pays |
| Close pass or side-swipe | The driver | 1.5 metres is the minimum passing distance in the Highway Code |
| Pothole or road defect | The council | Photograph the defect with something for scale and report it |
| Hit from behind | The driver | Rarely disputed |
| Driver drove off or was uninsured | The Motor Insurers' Bureau | Report to the police promptly |
| Hit by another cyclist or an e-scooter | The other rider, if identified | Harder to recover; a specialist advises |
We'll call you back within 2 minutes with a straight answer on where you stand.
The situations cyclists describe to us
"The driver says he didn't see me"
The most common thing said after a cycling collision, and it is not a defence. A driver is required to look, and not seeing a cyclist who was there to be seen is the failure the claim rests on. Helmet-cam and dashcam footage settle it fastest.
"I wasn't wearing a helmet"
You can still claim. Where a helmet would have reduced a head injury, the claim may be reduced by a percentage; it is not refused, and it makes no difference to injuries a helmet would not have prevented.
"It was a pothole, not a driver"
Then the claim is against the council, and it turns on whether the defect was dangerous and whether the council should have found and fixed it. Photograph it with a coin or ruler for scale before it is repaired, and report it.
"My bike's written off and it cost more than they're offering"
Keep receipts, photos and the specification. The bike is valued at its worth before the crash, not a generic figure, and a specialist solicitor argues it with evidence.
What to do after a bicycle accident
Get medical help and get the injury on record, even if you rode home. Get the driver's name, registration and insurer, and photograph the vehicle. Photograph the scene, the road surface, your bike and your injuries. Take the names of witnesses. Save helmet-cam or dashcam footage and ask nearby businesses to keep CCTV. Report it to the police, especially if the driver did not stop. Don't repair or dispose of the bike or kit until it has been photographed and valued. Then get in touch.
How a bicycle accident claim works with National Accident Support Line
Tell us what happened, by the form, WhatsApp or a call to 0333 212 2730, and web enquiries are called back within 2 minutes during opening hours. We ask what happened, who was involved and what evidence exists. If there is a claim, we refer it to a specialist cycling injury solicitor who runs it on a no win no fee basis. If there isn't, we tell you straight. NASL is an FCA-regulated claims management company, not a law firm. Riders knocked off a motorbike should start with motorbike accident claims; injuries after any road collision are covered on the road traffic accident claims page; and a hit-and-run is explained on our hit-and-run claims page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim if a car hit me while cycling?
Yes, against the driver's insurer. Since 2022 the Highway Code places the greater responsibility on drivers.
Can I claim for my bike and my kit?
Yes. The bike is repaired or replaced at its pre-accident value, and damaged helmet, clothing, lights and computer are replaced.
Can I claim if I wasn't wearing a helmet or hi-vis?
Yes. Neither is a legal requirement. Where a helmet would have reduced a head injury the claim may be reduced by a percentage, not refused.
Can I claim for a pothole accident?
Yes, against the council responsible for the road, where the defect was dangerous and should have been repaired.
What if the driver drove off?
Report it to the police promptly and get the crime reference. The claim goes through the Motor Insurers' Bureau.
How long do I have to claim?
Three years from the date of the accident. For a child, three years from their 18th birthday.
Do I need cycling insurance to claim?
No. The claim is against the driver's insurer, the council or the MIB, not your own cover.
We'll call you back within 2 minutes with a straight answer on where you stand.
National Accident Support Line Ltd is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in respect of regulated claims management activities, registration number 829991.