Potholes can cause serious problems for cyclists. A sudden impact can throw you from your bike, force you into traffic or cause a collision with another road user.
If you are involved in a cycling accident caused by a pothole, taking the right steps afterwards can help to protect your health and safety. It can also make it easier to keep a clear record of what happened, what injuries were caused and what losses you experienced.
Your first priority should be safety. Check yourself and anyone else involved for injuries. If anyone needs urgent medical attention, call 999 straight away.
If it is safe to do so, move away from traffic. Move your bicycle out of the road if you can do this without risk. If the accident has happened in a busy area, stay in a safe place and wait for help.
Do not put yourself at risk by standing in the road to inspect the pothole or take photographs.
Even if you feel able to continue your journey, you should seek medical advice if you have any pain, discomfort or signs of injury. Some symptoms can become more noticeable later. A medical record may also be useful if you decide to seek advice about a cycling accident claim.
Once it is safe, make a note of the exact location of the pothole. This may include:
You can also use your phone to drop a pin on a map. Apps such as What3Words can also help you record a precise location. This can be useful if the pothole is on a long road or in an area without clear landmarks.
Evidence can help show what happened and the condition of the road at the time of the accident. If it is safe, take clear photographs or videos of:
Try to include something for scale, such as a shoe or water bottle. Only do this if you can stay safe and avoid stepping into traffic.
If it is not safe to take photographs at the scene, you may be able to return later when the road is quieter. You should only do this if it is safe and lawful.
If anyone saw the accident happen, ask for their name and contact details if you are able to do so.
Witnesses may be able to confirm that the pothole caused the cycling accident. This can be especially useful if the road defect was hard to see, if another road user was involved or if the accident happened quickly.
You do not need to ask them for a formal statement at the scene. A personal injury solicitor can take witness statements later if you decide to make a claim.
If another road user was involved, exchange details with them as you would after any road traffic accident. Where a vehicle was involved, take the driver’s name, contact details, registration number and insurance details.
Potholes are usually the responsibility of the local council or highways authority. The organisation responsible will depend on the type of road and where the accident happened.
You should report the pothole as soon as possible. This can create a record of the road defect. It may also help reduce the risk of another cyclist or road user being injured.
When you report it, include the location, photographs and any details about the accident. Keep a copy of your report and any reference number you receive.
A cycling solicitor will be able to include all relevant losses in your cycling accident claim. This includes injury-related losses, treatment costs, rehabilitation needs, damaged equipment, lost earnings and other expenses linked to the accident.
You may also want to consider whether you should report the incident to your insurer. If you decide to do this, give accurate details about the date, time, location and circumstances. Keep copies of any emails, letters and notes of phone calls.
A pothole cycling accident can involve more than damage to your bike. Depending on what happened, you may also experience other losses.
Keep records of any:
You should keep receipts, invoices, bank statements and written confirmation from your employer if you needed time away from work.
You may need to repair your bicycle quickly, especially if you rely on it for commuting or family commitments. However, before repairs are carried out, take photographs of the damage.
You should also ask the bike shop or mechanic for a written report or estimate. They may be able to confirm whether the damage is consistent with hitting a pothole.
Keep damaged items where possible. This may include your helmet, clothing, lights, panniers or other cycling equipment. These items may help show the force of the impact and the effect of the accident.
If a pothole caused your cycling accident, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries, bicycle damage and related losses. These claims may be made against the council, highways authority or another organisation responsible for maintaining the road.
Useful evidence may show:
As well as keeping your own record of events, you should speak to a specialist solicitor. They can explain your options, gather further evidence and advise whether cycling accident compensation may be available.
It is easy to dismiss a pothole cycling accident as bad luck. This can be especially true if the damage seems minor at first. However, roads must be maintained to a safe standard. A dangerous pothole may show that the issue should have been repaired sooner.
Reporting the pothole and raising the issue with the right authority can also help protect other cyclists and road users.
If the accident has caused injury, bicycle damage or other losses, it is worth understanding whether you have grounds to take the matter further. A cycling accident solicitor can review what happened and explain whether you may be able to claim compensation.
Helpful Resource Depending On Your Requirements