Cycle and bike accident claims

This group clearly has the respect of many of the best experts in the field.

Chambers UK
Personal Injury

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The personal injury team at Penningtons Manches Cooper advises on a wide range of claims for cyclists, including those involving brain and spinal cord injuries, traumatic amputation and fatal accidents. Our experts are able to guide you through the whole claims process, from rehabilitation to compensation.

We are recognised as among the leading personal injury advisers in the UK with members of our team approved as specialists by the Law Society and the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL). We are also accredited with the Spinal Injuries Association and Headway. A number of our lawyers are experienced cyclists and understand cyclists’ interaction with other road users. We recognise that they are often unfairly blamed for causing collisions when they have sustained serious injury through no fault of their own. In numerous cases, our team has successfully challenged those misconceptions. 

We adapt our advice to each client’s needs, whether they have been involved in a collision with motorists or injured in accidents caused by, for example, the state of the road or a poorly serviced bicycle. Our lawyers seek to achieve the best settlements in terms of financial compensation, including obtaining early interim payments to help in the short term and dealing with other needs resulting from accidents such as loss of earnings, rehabilitation, care and assistance, accommodation and equipment, transport, pain management, therapy, appropriate treatment and damage to the bike itself.

Where liability for the bike accident is disputed, we will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the collision, review police evidence and, if necessary, instruct specialist experts in accident reconstruction and cycling safety. We often take over cases for cyclists seriously injured in a crash, who have been advised by their lawyer that their claim has limited prospects, and are happy to provide a second opinion.

Initial advice is offered free of charge and without obligation. This can include guidance provided by telephone, a visit from one of our specialist solicitors or a review of your documents. We offer various forms of funding, including no win no fee (conditional fee) agreements. Our team aims to ensure that you receive maximum compensation while minimising the legal costs involved.

We offer expert advice on:

  • cases where cyclists are hit by vehicles turning left in traffic without seeing the bike on their nearside
  • cases where cyclists are hit by drivers opening car doors as they are riding down the street
  • accidents caused by motorists cornering on the wrong side of the road, driving in a cycle lane, overtaking when there is an oncoming cyclist or ‘jumping’ the lights
  • accidents caused by inadequate bike repairs
  • cases where cyclists are hit by drivers without insurance or involved in hit and run accidents
  • injuries caused by defective roads, particularly potholes
  • accidents resulting from defects in the manufacture of bikes or tyres
  • cases where insurance companies have disputed a proportion of the liability owing to the quality or absence of a cycling helmet

Recent work highlights

Injury in London cycle lane

Settling a claim for a cyclist against Transport for London and the local council after he came off his bike riding through unprotected roadworks in a cycle lane near a bus stop.


Collision with 4x4

Obtaining compensation for a cyclist who was injured when a 4x4 turned across his path into a side road without giving way.


Serious accident after cycle shop’s negligence

Securing damages for a client who suffered a brain injury when the carbon forks on his bike collapsed after a cycle shop failed to repair damage caused when he was ‘doored’ by a car.

Arrow GIFSee more detailed case studies

Related expertise

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC311575 and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under number 419867.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP