When Should Cyclists Be Entitled To A Road Accident Claim?

Cycling is becoming an increasingly popular way for people to travel, whether it be to commute to work, for a leisurely Sunday ride, or just a quick trip to the shops. With more people than ever taking to the roads with bicycles, there has also been a notable increase in accidents, whether they be due to negligent motorists or other factors. In this article, we take a look at what an accident might involve in relation to a cyclist and what they may be entitled to as a result.

Circumstances that warrant an injury claim

Before we get stuck into the details, if you’ve been injured as a cyclist on the road, it is very much worth your while to get into touch with motor vehicle accident lawyers, as they can advise you on the next steps. This is because cyclists are afforded all of the benefits that pedestrians and the drivers and passengers of cars are entitled to in the event of an accident. This typically occurs through a Transport Accident Commission (TAC) claim and eligibility of these claims requires an injured party lodge a claim within 1 year of an accident or when your injury becomes evident, although the Transport Accident Commission can also accept claims filed up to 3 years after the accident within reason. An accident might involve a collision with a moving cars, trucks, motorcycles, buses, and trams, in addition to the increasingly common incidences involving collisions with open car doors as well as stationary vehicles. In the event that a cyclist is killed in an accident on the road, a surviving family member may also follow up with the Transport Accident Commission and claim benefits.

How to file a claim after a bicycle accident

If you plan on filing a Transport Accident Commission claim an accident involving a bicycle, you will need to provide a great deal of specific information. You will need to provide details such as where the accident occurred, what injuries you sustained as a result of the accident, any relevant details about accident that may help the claim proceed, as well as the registration details of the other vehicles involves and the contact information of the driver. Depending on the severity of the accident, you may also provide information about police offers that attended the scene and the accounts of any witnesses. As many who have experienced an accident might know, gathering all of this information after the shock of an accident is not necessarily simple – if this does occur in your situation, its best to follow up with a lawyer. It is also possible that another party may have already submitted a claim for you to the Transport Accident Commission, such as instances where someone is in hospital as they will be seeking reimbursement for provided care.

What follows the submission of a claim?

After a claim is submitted and reviewed by the Transport Accident Commission, they will get in touch with you to inform you of whether or not your claim is approved. If it is accepted, you will receive something called a “Claim for Compensation Summary” that will outline your benefits. If you don’t like the look of your summary, it is at this point that you should also call a lawyer.