There are increasing numbers of cyclists on the road. However, despite this increase in cyclists, there is a distinct lack of available cycle lanes for them to use. These numbers in cyclists are increasing for a variety of reasons, like environmental awareness, affordability, health-consciousness, and more. Unfortunately, cyclists can be more subject to injuries from car doors, potholes, or motorists because of the lightweight and unobtrusive nature of the bike and the person riding it. This blog will outline your rights and next steps after a bike accident or a crash. 

Common cycling accidents 

The following are the most common in terms of bike accidents:

  • Motorists/car accidents – where a car will accidentally bump into a cyclist. However, due to the lack of protection, the cyclist can be more prone to having serious or fatal consequences. 
  • ‘Car-dooring’ – where cyclists are severely injured or even killed due to drivers deliberately opening their car doors while passing a person on their bike.
  • Potholes – where a bike falls into a pothole and causes damage to the bike and rider. 

Most common reasons for an accident?  

The following are the most common reasons for an accident involving a bike: 

  • Vehicles Turning Into The Path Of Cyclists – If a vehicle doesn’t see the cyclist and turns into their path, it can cause a serious accident. 
  • Drivers Failing To See Cyclists When Turning Or Changing Lanes – if a vehicle turns into a different lane or turns a corner into a cyclist.
  • Vehicles Pulling Out Of A Junction – when turning out of a junction, a vehicle can collide with a cyclist.
  • Vehicle Doors Opening In Front Of An Oncoming Cyclist – also known as car-dooring.
  • Bad Roads- bad roads can obviously cause a bike accident due to a loss of control of the cyclist.
  • Reckless Driving – where a vehicle causes an accident due to the driver. 

Do cyclists need insurance?

Riding bikes anywhere in Australia without insurance can be risky. There are three key areas of insurance that could be helpful for a cyclist, depending on the cycling you want to be doing. These are: 

  • cover for personal injury
  • causing injury to another party, and
  • third-party insurance for property damage.

What kind of compensation claims can you make for a bike incident? 

Compensation claims can vary from state to state. The claim you make is dependent on the cause of the accident. The forms of compensation that you should look into after a bike accident include: 

  • Workers Compensation Claims; For those injured at work in the course of their work duties, including those in food delivery;
  • Motor Vehicle Compensation Claims; For those injured in a motor accident due to the negligence of another;
  • Public Liability Compensation Claims; For those injured on someone else’s property, during a private/paid bike tour, on a public track, by a third party, or similar, due to the negligence of another, including the common pothole claims (which may fall into different categories of claims dependent on state);
  • Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Claims; For those with TPD insurance (inside or outside of the super) who are unable to return to work (or their pre-accident work) as a result of the injuries suffered;
  • Those injured in a bike accident due to a failure on the part of another to exercise reasonable care (ie. negligence) may be able to claim lump-sum compensation for general damages (pain and suffering), past and future treatment costs, past and future income loss, past and future care and assistance costs, and past and future out of pocket expenses.

How to make a compensation claim for your biking injury 

When considering whether you are eligible to make a claim for your bike accident, it can be very helpful to seek legal advice. What’s My Claim Worth aims to help you through this process, and all of our cases are no win, no fee.