Accidents involving cyclists are very common within the UK.

The organisation THINK!, which has delivered road safety guidance since 2000,  has encouraged drivers to think about cyclists while on the road. However, it is still important to consider how likely cyclists are to be injured or killed while on the road. 

Reporting on Cycling Accidents

For cycling accident data to be collected, the police must be aware that an incident has happened. While they are informed of serious cases, many minor incidents are not necessarily reported. Furthermore, accidents that happen in more rural areas are less likely to be reported and they also might not be included in some statistics. Even if cyclists needed hospital treatment after the accident, the case still might go unreported to the police either because everyone involved felt that no was criminally to blame, or they simply chose to not report it. 

As the number of cyclists on the road has increased in recent years, the number of cycling deaths and injuries has also risen. This is in sharp contrast to the overall figures for the UK road deaths, which have been in steady decline since the 1960s. 

Statistics on Fatal Cycling Accidents

In 2018, 99 cyclists were killed, 4,106 were seriously injured and 13,345 were slightly injured in Great Britain. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents found that men are far more likely to be involved in cycling accidents than women. For example, in 2016, 81% of those injured in a reported road traffic accident were male. The same report also found that over 80% of fatal collisions occurred on rural roads and almost two-thirds of cyclists were involved in collisions at or near a junction. The report found that 80% of cycling accidents occur in daylight but cycling accidents that occur in the dark are more likely to be fatal, probably because the driver did not see the victim at all.

Unreported Cycling Accidents Statistics

For 2018, there were 17,550 reported cyclist accidents. However, the true figure for accident rates is believed to be much higher. Unsurprisingly, most accidents happen when people are travelling to and from school or work. The majority of cycling accidents occur between 3pm – 6pm and 8am – 9am which are the times when people are usually travelling to and from work or school. 

There is also data about the causes of accidents involving cyclists. In most cases a cyclist or a driver ‘failed to look properly’ which was the primary cause for the accident. Cyclists who have been injured due to someone else’s negligence are able to claim for personal injury compensation. 

Making Personal Injury Claims

If you have been involved in a road traffic accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation. First Personal Injury solicitors are available to assist you and ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. 

First Personal Injury works with both families and individuals across England and Wales, leading them on their legal journey and helping them claim compensation after an accident or injury. 

To learn more or to start your claim, get in touch with our expert team on 0800 808 9740 or contact us online. 

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