During the COVID-19 pandemic and at a time when we are all advised we may take only one hour of outdoor exercise per day, and with there being far fewer cars currently around, it is hardly surprising that many have taken the opportunity to take the roads on two wheels.

Whether you are out on a leisurely family cycle along the quieter roads, or seeking to improve your personal best with the advantage of not being held up my motorists, there is always the inherent risk that an accident may happen.

Whilst we at Thatcher + Hallam wish everyone a safe and enjoyable cycle around the glorious Somerset countryside we are here for you if something should go wrong.

Cycling: Accidents Can Happen

Lauren Martin is an ACILEx working as part of the personal injury team at Thatcher + Hallam. She is instructed by cyclists who have suffered injuries through the negligence of others and is experienced in obtaining successful outcomes for those injured.

The most common type of cycling accident that Lauren deals with are the following:

Road traffic collisions

Potholes and road defects

Car door collisions

Injured? What to Do?

If you have been injured in a cycling accident as a result of someone else's negligence, Lauren advises that you may have the right to compensation even if no one else is involved.

As an example, if you have been injured when cycling and hitting a pothole or other road defect and the local council or highways agency has been negligent then you may have a good claim.

'The levels of traffic may be down to 1950's level, but seemingly empty roads can sometimes still be a dangerous place for cyclists,' says Lauren.

'This is why our personal injury team at Thatcher + Hallam has (based on our own clients' experiences) put together our Five Hot Tips to ensure that the family all being out on their bikes is a both a really enjoyable and above all a safe experience. Here goes.'

The Top Five Hot Cycling Tips

Everyone should always wear a helmet when they go out cycling. This may make a difference between a minor or catastrophic injury.

Make sure you signal and indicate where you are going regardless of whether you think there is someone behind you or not.

Take out cyclist insurance and check the policy covers you for accidents that you may be at fault for. After all, we are all only human!

If you are a less confident cyclist then keep to quiet roads and lanes where it is easy to stop and let traffic pass.

If you have been unfortunate enough to have had an accident, make sure you take the other motorist's name and registration number. If your accident was caused by a defect in the road then take plenty of photographs of the defect.

If you would like to find out more on how Thatcher + Hallam are able to help their clients with their accident claims then just click here: the Thatcher+ Hallam website

Alternatively you can contact Lauren Martin direct for a no obligation consultation or make an enquiry via the 'contact us' page on our website. The Thatcher + Hallam office is of course working normal office hours during the pandemic.

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 01761 414646