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The Importance of Keeping Records for Your Cycle Accident Claim

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Cycle accidents can result in serious injuries that may require costly medical treatment or other long-term effects. If you’ve been the victim of a cycling accident, it’s important to keep detailed records of your expenses and losses as you navigate the claims process.

In this blog post, we will discuss why keeping accurate records is essential to successfully make a claim for a cycle accident. From gathering document evidence at the scene of a cycling accident to speaking with eyewitnesses, we’ll explore how meticulous record keeping can help ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.

Introduction to keeping records

Accurate record keeping is the foundation of any successful cycle accident claim. It’s important to keep detailed records of what happened during and after the cycling accident, as well as all related expenses and losses. Documenting as much information as possible can help you build a strong case for road traffic accident compensation.

Gathering evidence at the scene

At the scene of a cycling accident, it’s important to take as many photographs and video recordings as possible. It’s also helpful to draw a diagram of the road traffic accident site and jot down notes about what happened.

What records you need to keep

In the event of a cycling accident, it’s essential to collect any and all evidence that could be relevant to make your claim. This includes:

  • Police report: A police report can be a valuable source of evidence in any legal case, and is especially important to keep when filing a cycling accident claim. This document will describe the circumstances of the crash, including who was involved and what caused it. It’s crucial to get a copy of the police report as soon as possible after an accident, and keep it with your other documents.
  • Medical records: Any medical treatment you receive as a result of the crash should be recorded in detail. This includes doctors’ notes, hospital bills, and any other paperwork related to your injuries. Keeping these documents up to date can help ensure that you are adequately compensated for any medical costs associated with the incident.
  • Eyewitness statements: If there were any witnesses to the cycling accident, it’s important to get their contact information and obtain a written statement from them about what they saw. This kind of evidence can be critical in establishing the cause of a road traffic accident and giving you a better chance of success with your cycling injury claim.
  • Bicycle repair bills: If your bicycle was damaged in the cycling accident, keep all receipts related to repairs and replacement parts that were necessary. This will help you prove the extent of financial losses incurred as a result of the incident.

 

Why keeping records for road traffic accident claims is important

Accurate record keeping is an important part of the cycling accident claims process. In the case of bicycle accidents, proper documentation can be even more important due to the fact that these types of collisions often involve minimal damage to vehicles and no witnesses other than those directly involved.

By making sure you have a comprehensive set of records related to your accident, you can demonstrate your losses and establish that the other party is liable. This will increase your chances of receiving road accident compensation for any injuries or expenses you have incurred as a result of the crash.

As well as winning or losing a cycling injury claim, records can also be the difference between receiving the correct full amount of road traffic accident compensation and a far lower amount. Keeping accurate records of your accident and associated costs is therefore a critical part of the cycling accident claims process and one that should not be overlooked.

Mistakes to avoid when submitting a cycle accident claim

Filing a bicycle accident claim is not a task to be taken lightly. Making mistakes in the submission can result in a delay in receiving compensation or even the rejection of the cycling injury claim entirely. There are several key mistakes to avoid when submitting a bicycle accident claim:

  • Neglecting to record key information: As already discussed, it is important to keep detailed records of your expenses and losses as you navigate the cycling accident claims process. Neglecting to document any relevant evidence could result in a weak or incomplete claim, which may be rejected by insurers.
  • Failing to act promptly: It’s important to act quickly after an accident, as the statute of limitations for filing a traffic accident claim may be shorter if any government entities are involved. If you file your claim late, you may not receive any road accident compensation at all.
  • Not submitting sufficient evidence: It’s essential to provide insurers with enough evidence that you suffered losses as a result of your cycle accident. Without sufficient evidence your traffic accident claim may be rejected or you might receive compensation far lower than what you are actually entitled to.

 

Conclusion

It is essential to keep detailed records of any costs and losses related to a cycling accident in order to ensure that you receive just compensation for your cycling injury claim. Failing to act promptly or provide sufficient evidence can lead to delays, rejections, or inadequate settlements when it comes to bicycle injury claims.

By avoiding the common mistakes discussed in this article, you will be able to maximise your chances of success with your bicycle accident claim. With accurate record keeping and timely action, you should have no trouble obtaining full justice for any financial loss caused by an unfortunate cycling incident.

Claim for cycle accident with Cycle SOS today

If you were injured while cycling, Cycle SOS can help. Our team of experienced cycling accident solicitors can provide legal advice, help negotiate settlements, and recover medical expenses and lost earnings on your behalf.

To find out more about our services or how to make a claim for cycle accident, call 0808 100 9995 and speak to one of our specialist solicitors. We’re here to help. You can email us or schedule a callback.

Written By:

Emily Pheysey

Litigation Executive

Emily has over 7 years of experience in the legal sector, handling road traffic accident claims to recover compensation and support her clients. Her focus is to ensure all clients feel comfortable and at ease with the claims process so that they can focus on their recovery.

Emily considers rapport to be an essential part of the role and strives to always provide excellent client care.

Away from work, Emily enjoys spending time with her family and friends and travelling as much possible.

Diane Holderness

Litigation Executive

Diane is a Ministry of Justice (TOJ) Team Leader within our Cycle Department. She has 11 years’ experience managing road traffic accident claims, and 6 years’ experience managing MOJ claims.

Diane enjoys a challenge and always strives for the very best results for her customers; something that is clear in the way her team continually adapts its strategies in order to secure the most desired outcome. Diane has worked her way through the legal ranks here, and is proud to now have a strong, specialist team that is committed to customer satisfaction.

Diane believes that happy clients make a happy working environment, and it is this that ensures a productive and efficient workforce.

Nina Haddock

Chartered Legal Executive

Nina has over 30 years’ experience in the legal sector. She specialises in recovering compensation for injury claimants as a result of road traffic accidents. Her focus for each and every claim is to help her clients secure the funding that they need to pay for ongoing treatment and support.

Nina became a CILEX Fellow in 2006 and now helps her clients and their families at a time when they have been through a traumatic experience, and everything they hold dear to them appears to be changing.

One case Nina is particularly proud of is supporting a client who had successfully sought asylum in the UK, following a road traffic accident. The claim was successfully pursued through the MIB and the client was left with significant injuries. Her client was able to use the compensation to aid family members with their applications to seek asylum in the UK.

Julian Fox

Cycling Accident Solicitor

Julian qualified as a Solicitor in 2005 and has worked in all areas of personal injury since 2000. Julian has a well-rounded understanding of personal injury law, having represented both claimants and defendants.

Julian always aims for maximum damages to meet his clients’ needs for injury and rehabilitation expenses, and can often secure interim payments to help meet clients’ financial needs. Julian is highly proactive in ensuring cases are progressed, ensuring a timely conclusion.

When not at the office, Julian is a keen cyclist, both on roads and virtually -he will often do an hour of ‘Zwifting’ in the mornings before starting work.

Richard Atherton

Cycling Accident Solicitor

Richard has 12 years of legal experience and qualified as a Solicitor in February 2014. He has been a Team Manager with us since 2019. Throughout his career, Richard has specialised in personal injury, handling an array of Road Traffic Accident cases, in addition to employer and public liability.

Richard prides himself on his very strong strategic and planning skills, which come into their own in complex injury cases where more technical arguments are involved. On every case, he is committed to ensuring that his clients receive full compensation for their injuries.

Away from work, Richard enjoys sport; he is a season ticket holder at St Helens Rugby Club and a Liverpool FC fan. Not only a spectator, Richard also likes going to play golf as often as he can.

Dave Gardner

Litigation Executive

Dave has over 20 years of experience in the legal sector. His specialism is personal injury and he has dealt with hundreds of cycling injury claims during his career. Excellent client care and communication is paramount to Dave. He prides himself on being accessible and available, attending court hearings where damages are in dispute to ensure the best outcome for his clients. One case Dave is particularly proud of is when he supported an elderly client who suffered serious injuries following a road traffic incident. The police had not taken any action against the defendant, so Dave had to be proactive and act within a 24-hour window. The case proceeded and the client was in receipt of £30,000 in damages, which he would not have been entitled to had the client not approached Dave. He is also an avid supporter of Glasgow Rangers and travelled abroad on many occasions to see them play in European competitions.

Gerard Horton

Partner

Gerard is a Senior Solicitor at Cycle SOS. In his 13 years of experience, Gerard has built a national reputation in the catastrophic injury sector, dealing with high value and complex cases. Alongside his legal role, Gerard supports several charities including Headway Central Lancashire, Northwest Regional Spinal Injuries Centre and spinal injury charity, Back Up.

Julia Eyton

Partner

Julia brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Cycle SOS team.

Specialising in representing those who have had life changing injuries, Julia handles some of the most serious and complex personal injury cases both within Cycle SOS and nationally.

She often works on high value claims and is skilled in winning complex liability cases.

NADIA KERR

Partner

Nadia has over 30 years of legal expertise and has represented hundreds of vulnerable road users. With a focus on ensuring timely rehabilitation, speedy repair or replacement of bikes and kit, and securing fair compensation, Nadia is committed to advocating for justice and client rights. Alongside her legal career, Nadia actively participates in national campaigns to benefit vulnerable road users and acts as a Trustee/Director for the national cycling charity, Cycling UK. Nadia was named in Cycling UK’s ‘100 women’ and was a founding member, now running a women’s cycling group, TeamGlow in South Manchester. Among her many achievements, Nadia takes pride in her spot on BBC Breakfast, where she provided expert commentary on long term government funding for pothole repairs.

Caroline Morris

DIRECTOR OF SERIOUS INJURY

Caroline has specialised in personal injury for over 25 years, recovering more than £56 million in damages during that time, to help clients rebuild their lives after injury.

Caroline is committed to achieving rehabilitation options early, meaning her clients benefits from the best care and treatment at the earliest stage possible.