
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