Statistics in England suggest that over 15,000 cyclists are killed or injured every year on our roads; though it is thought the number of accidents are higher with many going unreported. It is true that fewer than 10 of cycling accident claims seem to have been generated in urban areas near one of these trouble spots.
The main factors to account for in any cycling accident claims case are:
* Were you hit by another vehicle?
* Did the driver stop to give their details?
* Did the accident come about as a result of a defect in the road for example potholes?
In any of the above instances, one of the most important factors in bringing about a successful cycling accident claim is to report the accident to the police as quickly as possible. Once registered this acknowledgement of an occurrence can always be referred back to in court.
This is especially true of hit and run cases where there are strict limits on the time in which these accidents must be reported. It is best to visit your local station within 48 hours of any mishap in order to cover yourself for all eventualities.
You should also visit your doctor as soon as possible if you do not have to visit the hospital as a result of your injuries. Once again this official logging of the accident and injuries sustained will stand you in better stead in court for a successful cycling accident claim.
In the event of an accident being caused by a road defect, it is advisable to take as many photographs of the site of the accident as quickly as possible. This is because once a compliant has been made your local council will go about fixing the problem as soon as possible to prevent any further mishaps. Scale and date the accident by including a newspaper from the day in the photograph.
Your local council are responsible for making regular checks of the roads and it can be hard to prove that these checks weren't made if you don't have supporting evidence to demonstrate the fault. It is also important to remember that if you were hit by a driver of a vehicle who did not stop to give their details, you will still be able to recover compensation through a cycling accident claim, by getting in touch with the Motor Insurers Bureau. The Motors Insurers Bureau have a fund for compensation for victims of hit and run, and a resource to compensate for accidents caused by uninsured drivers.
http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/The-Essential-Guide--What-You-Need-To-Know-To-M
