A Cyclist’s Guide to Gathering the Right Evidence After an Accident
If you’ve been involved in an incident caused by a pothole, you’re not alone. Potholes are a growing menace on UK roads, especially for cyclists, and they can lead to serious injury. But if you’re thinking about making a compensation claim, one of the most crucial steps is gathering clear, accurate evidence of the defect.
This guide from Cycle SOS explains how to measure a pothole properly, why it matters, and what tools you’ll need to help your claim stand up in court.
Why is Measuring a Pothole So Important?
In order to make a successful pothole claim, we’ll need to prove that the defect was dangerous posed a “foreseeable risk” and was significant enough that the local authority should have repaired it.
The most effective way to do this is by providing:
- Photographs
- Measurements
- Clear location details
The sooner we can gather this evidence, the better. Local councils may act quickly to repair a pothole once it’s been reported, and if it’s gone before we’ve recorded it—our evidence is gone too.
These are really difficult cases to win but we have a specialist team who deal with these cases all the time and we have an enviable track record of winning. We are best placed to advise you about your likely prospects of success.
Step-by-Step Guide to Measuring a Pothole
1. Be Safe First
Only measure the pothole when it’s safe to do so. Avoid busy roads or poor lighting conditions. Your safety is always the priority. It is often better to attend the scene with someone else
2. Take the First Photos ASAP
Get initial photos of the pothole as soon as you can. Try to take them in good, dry daylight conditions. Rain can obscure depth, and poor lighting can lead to unclear images
3. Measure the Depth
You’ll need a spirit level or long straight object, and a tape measure or ruler.
- Place the spirit level or flat edge across the top of the pothole (horizontal)
- Then, drop the measuring tape down vertically from the spirit level to the point of the hole which caused your incident.
- Ensure the tape is flush against the side for an accurate reading.
Take the photo from ground level not while standing to show the true depth.
4. Measure Width and Length
Lay your measuring tape across the pothole to show its width and length.
Make sure the tape is visible and flat, and again—take the photos from a low angle to improve clarity.
5. Capture the Location
Take a photo of the pothole from a distance. Make sure to include buildings, street signs, or lampposts to help locate the defect if possible.
If possible, jot down:
- The house number nearest the defect
- The number on the lamppost
- The direction of travel you were riding in
You can annotate the photo with an arrow and an ‘X’ to show where the contact occurred.
6. Photograph the Surroundings
If the road is in generally poor condition, it can be helpful to take wider shots of other nearby potholes. Just make sure it’s clear which defect caused your accident to avoid confusion.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Using a 50p coin or your hand for scale — not precise enough
❌ Taking blurry or shadowy photos – or photos of the defect full of water
❌ Only showing the pothole without measuring tools
❌ Forgetting to show the surrounding location
❌Not taking the depth photo at ground level
Why This Helps Your Claim
Councils have a duty to inspect and maintain the roads, but they also have legal protection if they can prove they took “reasonable steps” to do so. Strong evidence can make or break your case.
At Cycle SOS, we often find that the quality of the photographs and measurements can determine whether we can pursue a claim at all.
Need Help? We’re Here
We understand that after a crash, the last thing you might be thinking about is a tape measure and camera. But even if you can’t take the photos yourself, ask a friend, family member, or fellow cyclist to help. If this is not possible it could be that we can collect this evidence for you as part of a personal injury compensation claim but securing the evidence as quickly as you can might be the difference between winning or losing your case.
If you’ve already had an accident and been injured from a pothole and aren’t sure what to do next, get in touch with our team. We’ll assess your case and advise you on the next steps, starting with the evidence you’ve got.
