Road Traffic Accident Claims for Pedestrians and Cyclists
If you are a pedestrian or cyclist hurt in an accident and want to make a road traffic accident claim, you should know what to do next. It is important for you to get some medical help. You also need to understand your rights. Like, how to write down what happened, how to get the right help and maybe even make a claim. These are the things that are important for people. Staying carefully on the road does help, but sometimes accidents still happen. When they do, being ready makes everything less hard.
In this guide, we will explain how a pedestrian or a cyclist can make road traffic accident claims if they were injured in a road traffic accident. We will try our best to help our readers understand how pedestrian and cyclist accident claims really work.
Pedestrian Accidents: Who’s to Blame?
Most pedestrian car accidents happen because car drivers usually do not pay attention. They are speeding, checking their phones or just being careless or distracted at a crossing. Even when the pedestrian is walking right, they still end up injured.
If you have been in this kind of an accident, know this: the law often supports you. You might be hurt, but you are not helpless. A pedestrian accident claim is the first step to getting some help, at least financially.
Types of Injuries Suffered during Pedestrian Accidents
Not all accidents are the same. Some people come out with just small injuries. While the others face long hospital stays and even longer recovery periods, that is whether they recover fully at all. Below are common pedestrian accident injuries:
- Broken bones
- Cuts and head injuries
- Back or neck pain
- Internal damage
- Emotional stress (yes, that counts too)
Do not skip the check-ups and rehabilitation treatments, even if nothing hurts right away. Some injuries show up later. Plus, having a medical record of your injuries can help if you want to make a claim.
Why Cyclists Deserve Protection Too
Cycling is great. It is also a healthy and eco-friendly activity. However, it can be risky at times. One wrong move from a car driver and you are on the ground usually injured. A lot of drivers simply do not notice cyclists or misjudge the distance.
If that same thing has happened to you, you may have a right to make a cycling accident claim. Moreover, it is not just for fancy cyclists in racing gear. Every day, people riding to school or work can make a claim too.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
Like pedestrians, cyclists also get some pretty serious injuries from road traffic accidents. These injuries include:
- Concussions
- Arm or shoulder injuries
- Broken bones
- Road rash
- Dental injuries
- Spine injuries
Again, go to the doctor. Take pictures, for gathering some evidence. Save the helmet even if it got damaged. These little things matter in a bicycle accident case.
How to Claim for a Road Traffic Accident?
Here is what comes next. It can feel overwhelming, but to make a successful compensation claim, you should choose to follow our suggested steps. Here is a simple path:
- Get medical help
Even if you feel fine, go see a doctor. Injuries can take time to take shape and you may feel your injuries more after a few days. Hence, a medical record is a vital component to build up your road traffic accident claim.
- Gather evidence
Snap a few pictures or record a video after the accident if you can. You can get help from another person and also ask for CCTV footage from a nearby place. Get names of witnesses. Write down what happened while it’s fresh in your head. Keep your damaged clothes or cycle with you.
- Report accident
Report the accident to the nearby police station as soon as possible had the police not already attended the scene.
- Talk to a solicitor
Here is the main thing. Get legal advice from a reliable solicitor. A solicitor can tell you if your case is strong or not. They will also help you to make the road traffic accident claim properly. RU1NJURED’s panel solicitors offer “no win, no fee services.” That means if you lose, you do not pay.
What Can You Claim For?
When people think of claims, they often only think about hospital bills. Your road traffic accident claim can cover more than that:
- Medical costs
- Lost income from missing work
- Travel to the hospital
- Damage to the bike or personal items
- Pain and suffering
Some people also face long-term issues. Trouble walking. PTSD while crossing roads. These things matter too.
How Much Time Do People Have to Make a Claim?
Here is some straight road traffic accident claims advice, do not wait too long. There is usually a time limit to make your road traffic accident claims. In most cases, it is three years from the date of the accident. If you are under 18, it can be till your 21st birthday. Still, do not take chances.
Also, do not accept low offers from insurance companies right away. They usually try to settle fast and cheap. Your injury could be more serious than it looks at first. A good solicitor from RU1NJURED will fight for what’s fair.
Why People Don’t Claim, And Why You Should
Some people feel nervous. They think maybe they are making too much of it or bothering someone. Others just do not want to deal with the legal stuff, it feels too much or too confusing. It is completely normal for you feel that way.
However, your focus should be on the fact that, if you are injured in a road traffic accident and it was not your fault, you have a legal right to seek compensation. A claim will not erase what happened, but it can help you move forward. You can pay the bills or replace your damaged bicycle. Maybe your injury might take some time to recover and you might not be able to work. Your claim can help you get on with your life without worrying about the money.
You Don’t Have to Face It All Alone
Hundreds of people cycling or walking on the street are injured annually in road traffic accidents. So, you are not the only one. Plus, you do not have to handle everything alone, there are ways to get help.
Whether it is a pedestrian accident claim or a cycling road accident claim, help is out there. You just need to take the first step by opting for an expert legal team like the legal professionals at RU1NJURED.
Final Thoughts
Roads can be rough, but the law is here for people like you. If you are injured in a road traffic accident, do not ignore it. Do not try to tough it out alone.
Get checked. Gather your proof. Talk to the panel solicitors at RU1NJURED for free and make your road traffic accident claim. It is not about getting revenge as such. It is all about fairness and justice. You did not ask for this pain, but you deserve support.
