How Long do Cycling Injury Claims Take to Settle?

Chris Salmon, AuthorWritten by Chris Salmon on 27th June 2016

If you’ve been injured in a cycling accident that wasn’t your fault, you may want to seek compensation. Financial support is often needed quickly, especially if you’re unable to work and have no income.

While some claims are straightforward and settle quickly, more complex cases can take longer.

This article explains how long a claim can take and how you can access interim compensation before your case settles.

Factors affecting the timeline of a cycling injury claim

Personal injury claims generally depend on the following:

Type and severity of your injuries

The nature of your injuries plays a significant role in determining how long your claim will take.

For minor injuries, such as cuts and bruise, the process may be quicker as the extent of the damage is clear from the outset. For more severe injuries, like head trauma or long-term conditions, multiple medical assessments may be required over time to fully understand the impact.

Your solicitor may recommend waiting until the full extent of your injuries is known before settling to ensure you receive the full amount of compensation you will need. This process can take months or even years, depending on the complexity of your case.

Circumstances of your accident

The circumstances in which you were injured can also impact the claim timeline.

Most cycling accidents happen due to road collisions or accidents caused by hazardous road conditions, such as potholes. If your claim is relatively straightforward and valued at less than £25,000, it may be processed through the Claims Portal, an online system designed to speed up the process. These claims generally settle within 4 to 9 months, provided you accept a settlement offer.

For more complex claims or those exceeding £25,000, the process may take longer. Claims related to cycling accidents abroad can vary in length depending on the details.

If the accident occurred on a package holiday, you may be able to claim through UK courts, which may expedite the process.

Defendant’s response

The speed of your claim also depends on whether the defendant accepts responsibility (liability) for the accident.

If the defendant admits liability, the process is typically faster. However, if the defendant denies liability, your solicitor may need to pursue more protracted legal action to prove that the defendant was negligent, which can delay settlement.

Additionally, if the defendant argues that you were partly to blame for the accident (for example, if you were cycling without proper lights at night), your compensation may be reduced in a split-lability agreement. This could further extend the timeline as both sides gather evidence and negotiate.

See also:

What happens if the defendant accepted liability and later change their mind

Cycling Injury Compensation Calculator

How much can I claim?

Use our cycling injury compensation calculator
to quickly find out:

  • If you're eligible to claim
  • How much you could receive
  • What you can claim for
  • How long you have left to claim
Calculate my compensation

Can I get an interim compensation payment?

Yes, if your claim is likely to take a long time to settle, you may be able to receive an interim compensation payment.

This is a partial payment awarded before your case is fully resolved to help cover your immediate financial needs, such as medical bills or loss of income.

Interim payments are usually available if the defendant has admitted liability or if there is strong evidence supporting your claim. Your personal injury solicitor can help request an interim payment, where possible, to ease financial pressure while you wait for your final settlement.

Read more:

Can I get an interim payment before my injury claim settles?

Can my cycling claim be settled more quickly?

You can choose to settle your claim at any point. However, solicitors generally advise claimants to wait until all medical evidence is gathered and a fair compensation settlement is offered. Accepting the first offer may result in a quicker resolution, but it might not reflect the full impact of your injuries, especially if they have long-term effects.

Negotiating a higher settlement can extend the process, and new evidence could potentially lower the defendant’s offer. Your solicitor will help you weigh the risks and benefits of settling early or pursuing a higher offer.

See also:

Should l accept an early 'pre-med' compensation offer?

Conclusion

The time it takes to settle a no win, no fee cycling injury claim varies depending on factors like the severity of your injuries, the circumstances of the accident, and whether the defendant admits fault. Straightforward claims can be settled within a few months, while more complex cases may take longer.

How can Cycling Injury Legal help you?

We're committed to ensuring that your compensation fully reflects the impact of your injury, from covering medical expenses and loss of earnings, to recognising the long-term physical and emotional toll of your accident. Your solicitor will hold negligent parties accountable, employing years of experience negotiating with insurers to arrange interim payments, access the best treatment and support, and maximise your compensation.

To get a better idea of how long your claim may take and to ensure you receive fair compensation, it’s important to consult a specialist solicitor. For a no-obligation consultation, call us today on 0800 456 1231 to discuss your case in more detail.

Call us now

Speak to a legal expert about making a no win, no fee claim
after a cycling accident:

  • Confirm if you have a claim
  • Get your questions answered
  • Understand your options
No Win
No Fee

Make claim with no financial risk. Solicitors receive a success fee of up to 25% of a claimant's compensation.

Cycling Injury Legal is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Ref number: 835858). Registration is recorded on the FCA website. Company No: 08914207. VAT No: 229015134.

Initial cycling injury enquiries are handled by our partners at National Accident Helpline. Legal claims are handled by our panel of expert cycling injury solicitors who are regulated by the Solicitor Regulation Authority (SRA).

We charge our solicitors for the marketing and operational services we provide and these costs are not passed on to our customers.

*No Win, No Fee: With No Win, No Fee, you won't pay anything to anyone if your cycling injury claim is unsuccessful. If you do win, your solicitor's success fee is capped at 25%* of your settlement, so you keep as much of your compensation as possible. Under a No Win, No Fee Agreement, fees may apply if a claimant refuses to cooperate or abandons their claim after the legal work has started, or if the claim is fraudulent.

Disclaimer: Nothing on this website constitutes legal advice or gives rise to a solicitor/client relationship. Specialist legal advice should be taken in relation to specific circumstances.

© Copyright Cycling Injury Legal 2025

Privacy policy | Terms and conditions