Large compensation payment for seriously injured cyclist

During the pandemic, the popularity of cycling (particularly in London) boomed. This trend seems to have continued and cycling continues to be an ever-popular commuting, exercise and leisure activity. However, cyclists are recognised as “vulnerable road users” and while there have been changes to the Highway Code in an attempt to better protect them, many hundreds of cyclists are catastrophically injured, sometimes fatally, on British roads every year.

Here at Anthony Gold, our team of polytrauma solicitors represents many cyclists who have been seriously injured in collisions that were not their fault and we are proud of our track record in achieving significant levels of compensation for them.

I recently settled a claim on behalf of a cyclist who had suffered terrible life-changing injuries in a collision with a car in spring 2021. While cycling downhill, a car driving in the opposite direction pulled across her path suddenly and without any warning. Our client unfortunately collided with the side of the vehicle and was thrown over her handlebars onto the ground.

Life Changing Injuries

Our client was forced over her handlebars and, as a result, she sustained a serious open fracture to her elbow as well as a number of severe soft tissue injuries.

Our client was in a significant amount of pain and was unable to move from where she had landed in the middle of the road. Luckily, several bystanders came to her aid to provide assistance while they awaited the emergency services. The police and ambulance service soon arrived but, distressingly for our client, her injured arm had to be manipulated at the scene by the paramedics who attended before she could be conveyed to the hospital.

Treatment

Our client was taken to a major trauma centre in London for treatment. Her arm had to be further manipulated so that she could fit into the CT scanner there which significantly added to the ordeal she was suffering.

She was formally diagnosed with an open fracture to her right elbow which required a 6-hour operation. Following her discharge home, she continued to suffer from significant pain in her right elbow and shoulder as well as from soft tissue injuries across her body.

She required a significant level of assistance from family members to manage at home and she remained unable to work for many weeks.

Rehabilitation

Upon instruction, we immediately notified the insurer for the vehicle involved in the collision and we requested urgent funds to support our client’s rehabilitation. Liability was contested throughout the case but, despite this, we worked hard to secure funding for a rehabilitation package, including physiotherapy, paid directly by the insurers under The Rehabilitation Code.

The treatment secured was of great benefit to our client’s recovery but unfortunately, she did not fully recover from the pain, discomfort and loss of full range of movement in her arm despite her very commendable dedication to her recovery. It was, sadly, the opinion of the medical expert involved that her limitations would be permanent.

Compensation

Despite liability being an unresolved issue throughout, we were able to successfully negotiate a favourable compensation settlement which went some way to compensate our client for the traumatic accident she had endured, as well as provide funds for her to be able to seek ongoing treatment and support later in life, as and when the need should arise.

While a sum of money can never undo the painful ordeal our client went through, it at least provides her with the comfort of knowing that she will have the necessary funds to help manage her symptoms in the long term.

This area of law is complex and if you have suffered serious life-changing injuries, particularly in circumstances where the defendant insurers do not admit liability, it’s critical that you work with polytrauma solicitors who have the relevant expertise and experience, to maximise your compensation settlement.