The Incident
Our 52-year-old client was cycling on a roundabout when a moment of careless driving changed everything. Despite it being his right of way, the defendant—approaching the roundabout—slowed briefly before accelerating forward. Crucially, the defendant was looking to his right, behind him, rather than in the direction of travel.
As our client passed in front of the vehicle, the defendant collided with the rear wheel of his bicycle, spinning both him and the bike 180 degrees. The force of the fall caused him to land heavily on his right hip and upper thigh. This kind of unexpected impact is all too common in cycling accidents where drivers fail to check blind spots or misjudge distances.
Injuries Sustained
The incident caused a serious acetabular fracture (hip socket) on the right side. Fortunately, the injury did not require surgery, but it left our client unable to bear weight for around seven weeks, which had a major impact on his daily life and mobility.
Despite the pain and lengthy recovery, our client remained determined and upbeat. He returned to work as soon as he was able and stayed focused on a personal goal—to recover well enough to get back on his bike by summer 2025. His positive attitude and commitment to recovery were nothing short of inspiring.
The Case
After the accident, our client contacted Cycle-SOS, and his case was taken on by Associate Solicitor Jayne Orme.
One of the key early decisions Jayne faced was whether to submit the claim through the Ministry of Justice Portal, typically used for claims worth less than £25,000, or to send a formal Letter of Claim, positioning it as a higher-value multi-track case. “At that point, the claim could have gone either way,” Jayne explained. “If the client recovered well, the value might have been lower. But after reviewing the likely quantum and wider losses, I decided a Letter of Claim was the right move.”
That decision proved crucial. The third-party insurers responded quickly, offering treatment options and opening a conversation about liability. Jayne also arranged for the client’s bicycle to be inspected and secured an interim payment to cover the damage, helping to reduce financial stress early in the process.
Challenges and Considerations
While liability was not admitted upfront, Jayne knew her client had a strong case. “He was a credible, cooperative witness, and the facts were in his favour,” she said. “But there’s always a risk of liability being split in these cases, so we had to be mindful of that.”
Initially, the defendant’s insurers made a lower offer to settle, but Jayne negotiated on behalf of the client to increase this to £40,000, net of any deductions for the bike and CRU, which was ultimately accepted.
“There were no issues with gathering evidence, and the client was a pleasure to work with,” Jayne added. “We built a strong working relationship and collaborated closely throughout. He fully understood the risks but remained pragmatic and optimistic.”
A Positive Resolution
Looking back on the case, Jayne reflected:
“This client was a pleasure to work with. I really did admire his drive—he went back to work quickly after sustaining some nasty injuries and was planning on getting well enough to ride again this summer. I’m pleased we secured a great result, and I hope he’s back on the bike soon.”
If you’ve been injured in a cycling accident that wasn’t your fault, our specialist solicitors at Cycle-SOS are here to help. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial impact these incidents can have, and we’re ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.
