We’re all being encouraged nowadays to to go for healthier, more sustainable travel methods. As a consequence, the number of cyclists on Britain’s roads is increasing.
However, with this increase the number of people exposed to the risk of potential injury also increases. If we’re going to make cycling safer, it’s vital that there is a strong relationship between the drivers and cyclists who are sharing road space, so that they both have greater appreciation for each other’s vulnerabilities. Cyclists become vulnerable in blind spots, at junctions, roundabouts and where roads narrow.
Common cycling injuries
Cyclists can suffer numerous types of injuries in a collision, with head injuries identified as one of the most common causes of death and serious injury. It’s argued that one way in which cyclists can prevent or reduce the extent of a head injury is to wear a cycle helmet. Currently in the UK, there’s no legislation that places requirements on cyclists to wear a helmet, although it is recommended in the Highway Code. Rule 59 states that cyclists “should wear a cycle helmet that conforms to current regulation, is the correct size and securely fastened and appropriate clothes for cycling (light coloured or fluorescent).”
Cycle helmets
It’s easy to visualise a head hitting the road and common sense suggests that wearing a helmet in these circumstances must be better than no helmet. Many head injuries are caused, not by the direct trauma to the skull, but the deceleration of the whole head on impact – essentially, by the brain being ‘rattled around’ inside skull. The aim of a helmet is to cushion this force on the brain, which it does by compressing to lessen the impact and there’s evidence to suggest that helmets are effective in reducing injuries. However, there’s also evidence to suggest that the protection afforded by a helmet can be limited by other factors, such as speed, type of collision, injury, tolerance of cyclist and surface that the helmet makes contact with.
Specialist cyclist solicitor team
Lyons Davidson is home to a specialist cyclist team consisting of a number of keen cyclists and experienced injury lawyers, who are dedicated to dealing with claims on behalf of cyclists who have been injured in accidents. Cyclists have as many rights following an accident as car drivers and pedestrians but their claims require solicitors who are knowledgeable and sympathetic to the additional requirements that cyclists have.
Whether you’ve been involved in an accident with a car, bus driver, another cyclist or even a pedestrian, our dedicated cycling team can pursue a claim on your behalf if the person who caused your accident is insured. Even if they aren’t, we might still be able to pursue your claim through the MIB or against the other person directly. We can also advise you about claims for injuries caused by a defect with bike, or an accident caused by a poorly maintained road.
If you’ve been injured while out cycling and you’d like to talk to someone about making a claim, contact us for a free initial consultation by phoning 0330 0539 411 or emailing [email protected]
