If you get hit by a car whilst riding your bike, your first concern must either be to get urgent medical attention or, if you can walk, remove yourself to a place of safety.

Cyclists come off second best when involved in an accident with a car. If you collide with a vehicle, you will likely be injured. After the accident, your priority should be to get medical attention.

The Highway Code classes cyclists as vulnerable road users, which means that car drivers owe you an extra duty of care to ensure they don’t cause you harm.

So, although not every road traffic accident involving a car and a cyclist is the motorist’s fault, most are. Even if the accident initially appears to be your fault, there’s a possibility that the motorist was partly to blame because of the requirement for motorists to take extra care to make sure not to cause harm to cyclists.

In brief, this is advice on what to do after being involved in a collision with a car:

  1. If you were injured in the accident, report the incident to the Police unless they attended the scene. You must do this within 24 hours of the accident.
  2. Get the names, addresses and registration details of the car driver and anyone else involved in the accident.
  3. If you can (or someone with you can), take photos of the other vehicle and the damage to your bike.
  4. Find out if anyone witnessed the accident, and if they did, get their details too. If you decide to claim personal injury compensation from the car driver, the evidence of witnesses will be beneficial, particularly if the car driver disputes liability.
  5. Take photos of the accident location.
  6. Ask the car driver for their insurance details at the accident scene or later by phone.
  7. Don’t discuss the accident circumstances with anyone, and don’t admit liability.
  8. When you feel up to it, list all items damaged in the accident and find the receipts for anything damaged beyond repair. Get an estimate for the repairs to your bike or the cost of replacing it if it’s a write-off.
  9. Contact Mooneerams on 029 2048 3615; we are experienced cycling accident solicitors. Call us even if you are unsure whether to claim. In addition to getting cycling accident compensation from the driver’s insurance company, we can help ensure you receive the appropriate rehabilitation to aid your recovery.