The numbers cycling in Ireland has increased quite substantially in recent times.  It is estimated there are over half a million cyclists in Ireland participating at least once a week.  It is a very popular pastime across all age groups and particularly in the male 55 to 64 age category and this category cycles, on average, the farthest distance each week.  Unfortunately as a consequence of these increasing numbers there has been an increase in the number of cyclists who have been hospitalised as a consequence of a cycling collision.  Approximately 1,500 cyclists are hospitalised in Ireland as a consequence of road collisions each year.  Research has shown that the majority of cyclists can say that they have had near miss in their cycling career and approximately 15% have experienced a minor collision of some sorts.  Clearly cyclists lack the protective safety features that cars have leaving them quite vulnerable in circumstance of collisions occurring.  Cyclists who have collided with cars are likely to experience head injuries, traumatic brain injury, facial injury, back injury, road rash that causes permanent scarring and sadly in some instances death and approximately ten cyclists are killed on Irish roads each year.

What can cause cycling accidents?

• Road surface defects – defective road surfaces can arise through normal wear and tear, poor road repairs or a lack of repair maintenance on the part of the Local Authority (County Council)
• Vehicles – collision with vehicles can cause injury from minor to major injury
• Uninsured drivers – if a cyclist is involved in a collision with an uninsured driver through no fault of their own they can claim compensation from the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) who effectively step into the shoes of the insurance company and deal with the claim on behalf of the uninsured driver
• Hit and runs – similar to uninsured drivers if a cyclist has been hit by a driver who fails to remain at the scene the cyclist can take a compensation claim against the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland
• Pedestrians – collisions between pedestrians and cyclists can occur particularly if, for example, a pedestrian steps out between parked vehicles without paying proper attention causing an impact with a passing cyclist

Our personal injury compensation claims solicitors

If you have suffered injury as a cyclist that was not your fault, then you may be able to make a claim for compensation. It is important you seek advice as soon as possible to protect your legal rights. We believe in putting you our client first and we are committed to achieving the best result possible while all the time remaining sensitive to your needs. Please feel free to reach out to us below and will be pleased to discuss your case and offer no obligation advice.

To contact one of our personal injury solicitors please call 0818 888 555 or WhatsApp/call 087 398 7386 or complete our online enquiry form