Cycling offers a healthy way of getting fit, and also provides a means of being able to avoid the escalating costs associated with driving. You don’t have to pay for petrol, you don’t have to pay congestion charges, and you shouldn’t struggle finding somewhere to park your bike. What’s more, cycling is a healthy form of exercise, and even cycling to and from work may be enough to help reduce the chances of developing diseases and illnesses that are typically associated with leading a sedentary life.
However, no matter how carefully you ride and no matter how much protective clothing you wear, there is still the potential for a painful accident. Drivers that are not giving the road their full attention, or those that misjudge distances and the speed at which a bike travels, can cause accidents. Vans and buses that misjudge the length of their own vehicle are also a risk, while things like poor road surfaces that would not be a problem to a car driver can suddenly become a major issue to a cyclist.
Whatever the cause of your accident, if you can prove that liability rests with another party, then you can claim compensation from that party. This compensation will help to replace your bike and helmet, pay for any healthcare costs that you accrue, and can even cover a loss of earnings that you suffer if you are unable to go back to work straight after the accident. It is vital that you claim this compensation, if you are entitled to, because it means that you will be able to take the time necessary to make as full a recovery as possible.
Loss of earnings will often prove to be the biggest component of a compensation claim, especially in cases where the cyclist is unable to return to work for a number of years. If you are able to return to work, but are only able to take on reduced hours or reduced responsibilities, this may mean that you lose a portion of your earnings, but not everything. You can still make a claim for the portion that you lost.
Compensation not only needs to consider your current situation, but what effects your accident and injuries will have on you in the future. For example, if your injuries mean that you are unable to get around the house properly, then you may need to have modifications made to your home in order to ensure that you can lead as normal a life as possible. You may also need to pay somebody to come in and give you daily care, and all of these costs should be incorporated into your compensation payment calculation.
A claim for compensation is important because it means that you can continue to meet your monthly bills, and it allows you to benefit from the recuperation and recovery period that you need in order to ensure that you are fully fit again. Alternatively, it can be used to help ensure that you lead as full a life as possible even after serious and debilitating injuries.
Carry On Cycling offer a claims management and compensation claims package to cyclists that have been involved in accidents involving other road users, caused by poor road surfaces, or caused by any other incident.