Essential Steps to Take After a Cycling Accident

If you're injured in a cycling accident, your health and safety should be your top priority. Even if your injuries seem minor, it's important to seek medical attention right away.

If you decide to take legal action in the future, there are several steps you can take as soon as possible after the accident to help strengthen your potential claim.

1. Get to safety

If possible, move yourself and your bike off the road to avoid further danger. If you can’t move, ask for help from bystanders.

2. Seek immediate medical attention

If anyone is seriously injured, call an ambulance. For less severe injuries, visit A&E after leaving the scene and ask for a written medical report.

3. Call the police

Call the police if the accident involves a vehicle, someone is injured, or there's significant property damage. Note the officer's reference number and station and request a collision report.

4. Don’t accept liability

Avoid admitting fault immediately after the accident, as you may not know the full circumstances. Accepting liability could complicate future claims or impact your insurance.

5. Don’t offer to pay for damages

Even if you feel responsible, don’t offer to cover damage at the scene. Doing so could be interpreted as accepting liability.

6. Get the other party’s details

Collect the names, addresses, and contact details of all involved, along with vehicle information and insurance details. If it’s a commercial vehicle, note the company name and any distinguishing features. For foreign vehicles, ask for the country of registration and Green Card number.

7. What if a driver tries to leave?

Drivers are legally required to stop after an accident. If someone attempts to leave without exchanging details, record their registration number and take photos of the vehicle.

8. Document the accident

Gather as much information as possible:

• Photos and videos of the scene, vehicles, and injuries.
• A written account of what happened: As soon as you can write a detailed account of the incident, including the date, time, location, weather conditions, and any other contributing factors.
• If any of the other parties filmed the accident, e.g. with a dash cam or helmet mounted camera, make a note and ask the individuals to retain a copy of the recording. You or your solicitor will be able to contact them at a later stage for a copy of the recording.
• If you think the accident may have been caught on CCTV, contact the relevant organisation and ask for copies of any footage they might have captured. You will need to act quickly as CCTV is usually erases on a daily or weekly basis. You could consider asking the police for help with this.
• If your accident was caused by a pothole or poor road surface, take photos. If you can include an item of known size, such as a bank note, this will help establish the size of the road defect.  You can also report the pothole via the Gov.uk Report a Pothole site.

9. Contact your insurance company

If you have cycling insurance or believe another policy covers you (e.g., home insurance), notify your insurer as soon as possible to start the claims process.

10. Seek further medical attention

Follow up with your GP or another healthcare provider. Even if you don’t feel injured, delayed issues like concussion could surface later. This also strengthens your claim if you pursue compensation.

11. Preserve the evidence

Keep copies of all reports, contact details, and photos. Retain damaged equipment and wait for insurance approval before repairs. Save all receipts for medical treatments or repairs.

12. Mitigate your losses

Take reasonable steps to reduce losses, like seeking prompt medical treatment and following prescribed recovery plans. Failure to do so could affect your compensation.

Summary

After the shock of being knocked off your bike, it can be difficult to remember all these steps. If you're safe and your injuries aren't too serious, try to stay calm, collect your thoughts, and then go through the list above.

If you’re unable to complete all the steps at the time, you can always return to the scene later. Even if you haven’t managed to gather any evidence, personal injury solicitors are experts at collecting information and evidence after an accident.

How we can help

If another party was fully or partially at fault, speak to a personal injury solicitor who specialises in cycling accidents.

Our panel of solicitors has extensive experience representing cyclists in a range of accident claims, from minor injuries to severe cases involving limb loss and brain trauma.

We understand the devastating impact these accidents can have and are dedicated to securing safer roads and advocating for cyclists. We support clients throughout their recovery, arranging the best rehabilitation and financial compensation package, including interim payments wherever possible, to ensure full support at every stage.

Call us now for a free initial consultation to discuss your options and help you with a no win, no fee claim.