If you've been injured in a bicycle or cycling accident, you may be entitled to compensation, even if the accident was partly your fault.
Cyclists are classed as vulnerable road users. They have far less protection than people inside cars, vans and lorries. Even a low-speed collision can cause serious injuries, long-term pain, loss of earnings and lasting changes to everyday life.
At Brian Barr Solicitors, we help injured cyclists in Manchester and across England and Wales bring bicycle accident claims after serious road traffic accidents. Our specialist serious injury solicitors have decades of experience in road traffic accident claims, chronic pain claims and complex injury cases. We often act on a No Win No Fee basis, which means you can start your claim without paying legal fees upfront.
It’s important to be aware that personal injury claims have a time limit. In most personal injury claims in England and Wales, court proceedings must usually be started within three years of the accident date under the Limitation Act 1980. There are exceptions, including claims involving children or people who lack mental capacity, but it is always safer to get advice as early as possible.
If you miss the deadline, you may lose your right to claim compensation.
Call us now or use the contact form below to speak with one of our specialist cycling accident solicitors.
Cyclists are classed as vulnerable road users. They have far less protection than people inside cars, vans and lorries. Even a low-speed collision can cause serious injuries, long-term pain, loss of earnings and lasting changes to everyday life.
At Brian Barr Solicitors, we help injured cyclists in Manchester and across England and Wales bring bicycle accident claims after serious road traffic accidents. Our specialist serious injury solicitors have decades of experience in road traffic accident claims, chronic pain claims and complex injury cases. We often act on a No Win No Fee basis, which means you can start your claim without paying legal fees upfront.
It’s important to be aware that personal injury claims have a time limit. In most personal injury claims in England and Wales, court proceedings must usually be started within three years of the accident date under the Limitation Act 1980. There are exceptions, including claims involving children or people who lack mental capacity, but it is always safer to get advice as early as possible.
If you miss the deadline, you may lose your right to claim compensation.
Call us now or use the contact form below to speak with one of our specialist cycling accident solicitors.
Bike claims usually start with a free initial assessment. We listen to what happened, look at who may be responsible, and explain whether you are likely to have a claim.
If we can help, we will usually investigate:
For example, a cyclist may be hit by a car turning left across a cycle lane, knocked from their bike by a vehicle door, or injured because a driver failed to leave enough room when overtaking. The Highway Code was updated in 2022 to improve safety for people walking, cycling and riding horses, including guidance around the hierarchy of road users.
Once we have the evidence, we contact the person or organisation at fault. This is often the driver’s insurer. If the driver was uninsured or cannot be traced, we may be able to bring the claim through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau.
Most bicycle accident claims settle without going to court. However, we prepare every claim properly from the start. This helps us negotiate from a position of strength and push for the best possible outcome.
Bike claims usually start with a free initial assessment. We listen to what happened, look at who may be responsible, and explain whether you are likely to have a claim.
If we can help, we will usually investigate:
For example, a cyclist may be hit by a car turning left across a cycle lane, knocked from their bike by a vehicle door, or injured because a driver failed to leave enough room when overtaking. The Highway Code was updated in 2022 to improve safety for people walking, cycling and riding horses, including guidance around the hierarchy of road users.
Once we have the evidence, we contact the person or organisation at fault. This is often the driver’s insurer. If the driver was uninsured or cannot be traced, we may be able to bring the claim through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau.
Most bicycle accident claims settle without going to court. However, we prepare every claim properly from the start. This helps us negotiate from a position of strength and push for the best possible outcome.
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Personal Injury Solicitor & Director, Brian Barr
Personal Injury Solicitor & Director, Brian Barr.
Director, Brian Barr
The amount you can claim depends on the severity of your injuries, your recovery time, your financial losses and the impact on your future. Compensation usually includes general damages for pain and suffering, plus special damages for losses such as earnings, treatment, care, travel and damaged cycling equipment.
Your settlement will be made up of two parts:
General damages — this covers the injury itself. The value is based on ranges set out in the Judicial College Guidelines, which reflect how serious and long-lasting the injury is.
Special damages — this covers everything the accident has cost you.
That includes:
The figures below are broad examples only. They are based on common personal injury valuation principles and guideline brackets used by lawyers and courts. The Judicial College Guidelines are widely used to help value general damages in personal injury claims, and the 17th edition was published in 2024.
| Injury type | Example severity | Possible general damages guide |
|---|---|---|
| Minor soft tissue injury | Recovery within weeks or months | Up to several thousand pounds |
| Minor neck or back injury | Recovery within around two years | Around £2,990 to £9,630 |
| Moderate ankle injury | Ongoing symptoms or limitation | Around £16,770 to £32,450 |
| Serious neck injury | Long-term pain, restriction or structural injury | Around £55,500 to £68,330 |
| Moderate brain injury | Lasting cognitive, personality or work-related effects | Around £52,550 to £267,340 |
| Very severe brain injury | Profound disability and long-term care needs | Around £344,150 to £493,000 |
These figures are broad guidance only. Your solicitor will value your claim using medical evidence, the Judicial College Guidelines and the financial losses specific to your case.
Every claim is different. The best way to understand what your case is worth is to speak to one of our specialists. A fair settlement should look at the whole picture. It should not simply cover the injury in isolation.
We'll assess your circumstances and give you a clear, honest picture of what to expect.
Choosing the right bicycle accident lawyer can make a major difference to your case.
Cycling injury claims are not always simple. Insurers may argue that you were partly responsible. They may say you were riding too fast, were not visible enough, should have used a cycle lane, or should have reacted sooner. These arguments can affect the value of your claim if they are not challenged properly.
We focus on serious injury, chronic pain and complex negligence claims. This gives us deeper expertise, stronger case preparation and a strong track record in complex claims. We regularly secure six and seven-figure settlements in cases where other solicitors predicted far smaller payouts.
We are recognised as a Leading Firm in The Legal 500 2026 and ranked in Chambers and Partners UK for our expertise in complex injury law. We have also been shortlisted for an NR Times Award in the Brain and Spinal Injury Law Firm of the Year category.
Here's what you get when you work with us:
Steven Akerman - Director & Personal Injury Solicitor
Steven Akerman has over 13 years' experience in serious injury and road traffic accident claims. SRA-regulated solicitor (SRA No. 483629), ranked by Chambers for Personal Injury Claims.
Steven specialises in complex chronic pain, serious injury, and medical negligence claims.
We believe the legal process shouldn't add to the stress of recovery. From your first call to your final settlement, we'll keep things clear, jargon-free, and focused on getting you the outcome you deserve.
Our commitment to our clients does not stop at the legal process. Thanks to our partnership with Brake, the Road Safety Charity, Aftermath Support, and Road Safety GB, Brian Barr Solicitors supports road safety initiatives to make UK roads safer for all.
Cycling accidents can lead to more significant injuries than other traffic accidents, and having the support of specialist serious injury solicitors can give you the peace of mind that you are in the hands of experts.
Brian Barr Solicitors is a specialist firm of personal injury solicitors in Manchester with decades of experience helping claimants get the compensation they deserve for their injuries across the whole of England and Wales. Our support starts at your initial assessment, and goes right through to your final payout.
We often represent clients on a No Win, No Fee basis. This means that if your case is unsuccessful, you will not be liable for our legal costs. You can be sure you are receiving specialist legal advice tailored to your situation, without the stress of large upfront costs.
Brian Barr Solicitors works alongside partners and charities such as Brake, Road Safety GB and Aftermath Support to support injured people and promote safer roads for vulnerable road users.
Contact us today to find out how we can help you claim compensation for a cycling injury. Our experts will show you your options and begin building a strong case for you, and reach a settlement you are happy with – like 97% of our clients from last year.
Last reviewed: June 2026
You may be able to make a bicycle accident claim if you were injured in an accident that was, at least partly, someone else’s fault.
Road users owe each other a duty of care. If a motorist, pedestrian, or other road user acted carelessly and caused your accident, they may have breached that duty and be liable to pay you compensation. This includes:
Not sure if you have a claim? Call us for a free assessment. We’ll give you an honest answer with no pressure.
A bicycle accident claim can cover more than just your injury. You can claim for:
Injury compensation:
Physical injuries — fractures, head injuries, spinal injuries, scarring
Psychological injuries — anxiety, PTSD, depression following the accident
Financial losses:
Lost earnings — including future income if your injuries affect your ability to work
Medical and rehabilitation costs — physiotherapy, surgery, ongoing treatment
Damaged equipment — bike, helmet, clothing, phone, and other property
Alternative transport while you recover
Home or vehicle adaptations if your injuries require them
The more thoroughly you document your losses, the stronger your claim. We’ll help you build a complete picture and ensure nothing is missed.
Because cyclists have no protective shell around them, injuries from road accidents tend to be more serious than those suffered by motorists in equivalent collisions. We help clients claim compensation for:
If your injuries are serious or long-term, specialist representation is especially important. The value of a claim involving ongoing care and reduced earning capacity is far higher than a straightforward short-term injury, and valuing it correctly requires real expertise.
Yes. You can still make a bicycle accident claim even if you shared some responsibility for what happened.
This is called contributory negligence. If you’re found to be partially at fault, your compensation is reduced by your share of responsibility. For example, if you were riding without lights at night and a driver hit you, a court might decide you were 20% responsible. Your payout would then be reduced by 20%.
Partial fault doesn’t disqualify you from claiming. The key question is whether another road user was also at fault. In many cycling accident claims, another road user may still share responsibility.
No. Cycle insurance is not a legal requirement in the UK, and you don’t need it to make a compensation claim against the person who caused your accident.
That said, having cycling insurance can be useful in other ways — it can cover theft, accidental damage, and third-party liability if you injure someone else. Some home insurance policies include limited bicycle cover, though this varies.
For the purposes of a personal injury claim, what matters is that you were injured because of someone else’s negligence — not whether you had your own insurance.
In most cases, you have three years from the date of your accident to start a claim. This is the standard limitation period for personal injury cases in England and Wales.
There are some exceptions:
Children — the three-year clock starts on their 18th birthday, not the date of the accident
Mental capacity — the limitation period may not apply if the injured person lacks mental capacity
Criminal injury compensation — different rules apply if you’re claiming through the CICA
If you’re approaching the three-year deadline, contact us immediately. Once it passes, you lose your right to claim — and there are very few exceptions that courts will accept.
The Highway Code was updated in 2022 to give clearer protections to vulnerable road users, including cyclists. The updated Code introduced a formal hierarchy of road users, placing those most at risk at the top.
Under the current rules:
At junctions — cyclists have priority over turning motorists in most situations. Drivers must give way.
Overtaking — motorists must leave at least 1.5 metres of space when passing a cyclist, and more when travelling above 30 mph.
Riding position — cyclists may ride in the centre of the lane. You don’t have to hug the kerb to let cars past.
Riding two abreast — this is legal and encouraged. Cyclists must remain aware of traffic and allow overtaking when it’s safe to do so.
Cycle lanes — using one is optional. Cyclists may use the main road even when a cycle lane is available.
Filtering — cyclists may move through slow or stationary traffic.
These rights matter for your claim. If a driver breached any of these rules and caused your accident, that strengthens the case that they were at fault.
Cycling accidents happen for many reasons. The most common we see in claims include:
Being hit by a vehicle — cars, vans, lorries, and motorcycles pulling out, turning, or not checking mirrors
Dooring — a parked driver or passenger opens their door without checking for cyclists
Road rage — deliberate or aggressive driving aimed at a cyclist
Inattentive pedestrians — stepping into the road or shared path without looking
Road defects — potholes, raised ironwork, poor surfacing maintained by the council or highways authority
Poorly maintained cycle paths — obstacles, surface damage, or obstructions on shared or dedicated cycling routes
If any of these caused your accident, you may have a valid claim, whether against another road user, a local authority, or a property owner.
Yes, you’re free to change solicitors at any point during your claim.
We regularly take on clients who started their claim elsewhere and feel their case isn’t being handled well. Perhaps the firm lacks specialist cycling accident experience. Perhaps communication has been poor. Perhaps the settlement being proposed seems too low.
Transferring your claim to us is straightforward. We handle the paperwork and liaise with your previous solicitor directly, so the process is as smooth as possible.
If you’re not confident that your current representation is getting you the outcome you deserve, contact us for a free second opinion.
Read more about how we support client throughout the UK to claim compensation for their injuries or chronic pain conditions. Brian Barr Solicitors consistently achieves great results and high compensation amounts.
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