Bicycle Accident Lawyer Liverpool

You can claim compensation for any bicycle accident caused by someone else's negligence. If another person's carelessness put you in harm's way, you have a right to claim.

The most common bicycle accident claims we handle are:

• Motor vehicle collisions. Cars, trucks, vans, or buses striking a cyclist. This is the most frequent type.
• Dooring. A driver or passenger opens their car door into your path. You either hit the door or swerve into traffic to avoid it.
• Left-hook crashes. A vehicle turns left across your path at an intersection, cutting you off.
• Intersection accidents. Motorists running red lights, failing to give way, or turning without checking for cyclists.
• Defective road conditions. Potholes, cracked surfaces, missing drainage grates, or poorly marked bike lanes causing you to crash.
• Construction zone accidents. Roadworks without proper cyclist warnings or safe diversions.
• Shared path incidents. A pedestrian stepping into your path, or another cyclist riding recklessly and causing a collision.

Each claim requires proof that someone owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused your injury. We assess the facts and build the case. Call 1300 011 149 for a free consultation.

The amount depends on your injuries, how long recovery takes, and how the accident affects your ability to work and live normally. There's no fixed payout. Every claim is assessed individually.

Here are typical ranges based on injury severity:

• Minor soft tissue injuries (2 to 3 month recovery): $15,000 to $40,000.
• Fractured arm or collarbone (4 to 6 month recovery): $45,000 to $120,000.
• Spinal injury with permanent impairment: $150,000 to $500,000+.
• Traumatic brain injury: $200,000 to $600,000+.

Your compensation covers several categories:

• Medical costs. Emergency treatment, surgery, specialist consultations, physiotherapy, and ongoing rehabilitation. Range: $5,000 to $150,000+.
• Lost wages and earning capacity. Income you've lost during recovery, plus reduced earning capacity if you can't return to your previous role.
• Pain and suffering. Courts use the Guidelines for the Assessment of Damages to determine these awards. Cyclists often receive higher awards because they have zero physical protection.
• Bicycle and equipment damage. Full replacement or repair of your bike ($500 to $3,000+), helmet ($150 to $400), lights, locks, accessories, and cycling clothing.

Cyclists can receive higher awards than car drivers for similar accidents. Courts recognise that a cyclist hit by a 1.5-tonne vehicle at even 30 km/h suffers far worse injuries than someone inside a car with airbags and a crumple zone.

For catastrophic injuries, the Lifetime Care and Support Scheme (administered by icare) provides treatment and care for life. Call 1300 011 149 to discuss your situation.

No Win No Fee means exactly what it says. If we don't recover compensation for you, you don't pay us. It's that simple.

Here's how it works:

1. You pay nothing upfront. We cover all costs while your claim runs: legal fees, expert medical reports, accident reconstruction, court filing fees, and CCTV evidence recovery.

1. If your claim fails, you owe us nothing. We absorb every cost. We only take cases we genuinely believe will succeed.

1. If your claim succeeds, our fee is a percentage of your compensation. Typically between 25% and 33%, agreed before we start. No surprises.

Here's an example:

• We recover $100,000 for your claim.
• Our fee (30%): $30,000.
• Your net recovery: $70,000.

Why this matters for cyclists:

Many people assume they can't afford a lawyer after a cycling accident. No Win No Fee removes that barrier completely. You get the same legal firepower as the driver's insurance company, without paying a cent upfront.

What's included at no cost:

• Free initial consultation and case assessment.
• All communication with the insurer.
• Arranging and paying for medical assessments.
• Court preparation and representation if needed.

Our 99% success rate reflects the confidence we have in the cases we accept. Call 1300 011 149 for a free consultation.

You have three years from the date of the accident to start court proceedings. But there are earlier deadlines that matter just as much.

The 28-day deadline. You must report the accident to NSW Police within 28 days. Call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.

The 3-month deadline. Under the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017, you must submit an Application for Personal Injury Benefits to the driver's CTP insurer within three months. Missing this can reduce your compensation by up to 100%. Once accepted, you receive statutory benefits covering treatment and lost wages regardless of who was at fault.

The 3-year deadline. You have three years to file court proceedings for common law damages (pain and suffering, loss of earning capacity). To claim non-economic loss, your injuries must meet the 10% Whole Person Impairment threshold.

Exceptions:

• Children. The three-year clock doesn't start until they turn 18.
• People with severe incapacity. The deadline may be extended if the injuries prevent someone from managing their own affairs.

Why acting fast matters for cyclists:

Evidence disappears quickly. CCTV footage is typically deleted after 30 to 90 days. Witness memories fade. The driver's vehicle gets repaired, removing damage evidence. The sooner you contact us, the more evidence we can preserve.

You can also contact the CTP Assist Service on 1300 656 919 for independent guidance about the claims process. Or call us directly on 1300 011 149.

Yes. NSW uses contributory negligence, which means you can still recover compensation even if you partly caused the accident. Your payout is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you don't lose your claim entirely.

Here's how it works:

• If you were 20% at fault and the driver 80%, you receive 80% of your total damages.
• If you were 50-50, you receive 50%.
• If your contributory negligence exceeds 61%, your entitlement to certain CTP benefits is affected.

Scenarios where a cyclist might share fault:

• Riding without lights at night. NSW Road Rules require lights after dark. A court might find you 10 to 30% at fault.
• Not wearing a helmet. Helmet non-use may reduce your award by 10 to 20%, but only for head injuries. Arm fractures or spinal injuries aren't affected.
• Running a red light. This is clear negligence. You could be 40 to 60% at fault.
• Riding while intoxicated. Cycling drunk affects balance and judgment. Significant fault.
• Weaving through traffic. Erratic riding that creates danger.

But the driver's fault usually outweighs yours. Even if you were riding without lights, the driver still had a duty to watch the road, drive at a safe speed, and avoid collisions. If they were speeding, texting, or not paying attention, their negligence is typically 70 to 90%.

We build strong evidence to minimise your fault percentage. For example, if you weren't wearing a helmet but suffered a broken collarbone, we show the helmet wouldn't have prevented that injury.

Call 1300 011 149 for a free assessment of your claim.

Dooring happens when a parked car's door opens into your path while you're cycling. You either hit the door directly or swerve into traffic to avoid it. Either way, the injuries can be serious: shoulder fractures, arm breaks, head trauma, and secondary injuries from falling or colliding with moving vehicles.

The law is clear on dooring. Under the Road Rules 2014 (NSW), drivers and passengers must check for approaching traffic before opening a car door. If they open it without checking and you're hit, they're negligent. It's one of the most clear-cut liability situations in cycling law.

Common dooring scenarios in Liverpool:

• A driver opens their door to exit without checking the mirror or looking behind them.
• A passenger opens the door into a marked bike lane on Elizabeth Drive or in the CBD.
• A taxi or rideshare passenger opens the door to get out, hitting a passing cyclist.

What evidence helps:

• Witness statements from other cyclists, pedestrians, or nearby shop staff.
• CCTV footage from businesses or traffic cameras.
• Photos of the scene showing the bike lane, parked car, and road markings.
• Your medical records linking injuries to the impact.

Compensation covers:

• All medical and hospital costs.
• Lost wages during recovery.
• Pain and suffering.
• Bicycle and equipment replacement.
• Future treatment if the injury is ongoing.

CTP insurers usually accept liability quickly in dooring cases because the negligence is hard to argue against. These claims often settle faster than other types of cycling accidents.

Call 1300 011 149 if you've been doored.

If you were in a marked bike lane when a car hit you, the driver is almost always at fault. Bike lanes exist specifically to protect cyclists, and NSW Road Rules place clear obligations on motorists.

Drivers must:

• Not drive in a bike lane except when turning at an intersection.
• Give way to cyclists when turning across a bike lane.
• Not park in a bike lane.
• Check for cyclists before opening car doors near bike lanes.

If a motorist breaks any of these rules and hits you, they're negligent.

The most common bike lane accidents:

• Left-hook. A car turns left across the bike lane without checking for cyclists riding straight. This is the most frequent bike lane accident.
• Right-turn across the lane. A car turns right and cuts through the bike lane.
• Merging into the lane. A vehicle drifts into the bike lane at an intersection or highway on-ramp.
• Dooring. A parked car's door opens into the bike lane.

An important point about "defensive cycling":

Insurers sometimes argue the cyclist should have been "riding more defensively." This argument rarely succeeds. Courts recognise that cyclists in designated bike lanes are entitled to assume motorists will follow the rules. You don't have to ride as if every car is about to hit you.

Evidence that strengthens your claim:

• Road markings confirming the bike lane.
• CCTV or dashcam footage of the collision.
• Witness statements.
• Police report.
• Photos of the scene and vehicle positions.

We handle bike lane accident claims regularly. Call 1300 011 149 for a free assessment.

Strong evidence makes the difference between a successful claim and a disputed one. Here's what to collect and when.

At the scene (if you're able to):

• Take photos and video of the accident scene, vehicle damage, your bike, and your injuries.
• Write down the vehicle's registration, make, model, and colour.
• Get the driver's name, licence number, and contact details.
• Collect contact details for any witnesses.
• Note the time, weather, road conditions, and lighting.

As soon as possible after:

• Report to police. Call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 within 28 days. A police crash report is key evidence.
• Get medical attention. Go to Liverpool Hospital or your GP. Medical records from your first visit establish the link between the accident and your injuries.
• Request CCTV. Contact nearby businesses, councils, and traffic camera operators. CCTV is typically deleted after 30 to 90 days, so this is urgent.

Evidence we gather for you:

• Medical reports from specialists (bone and joint surgeons, brain injury doctors, or mental health experts).
• Bike repair or replacement quotes from a qualified mechanic.
• Lost wage and income calculations.
• Accident scene analysis if fault is disputed.
• Lighting and visibility reports for crashes at night or dusk.

What helps your claim: several independent witnesses, clear photos, CCTV footage, early medical visits, and a police report. What hurts it: no witnesses, waiting too long to see a doctor, or changing your story over time.

We handle the investigation, expert appointments, and evidence presentation. Call 1300 011 149 to get started.

A hit-and-run is frightening, but you still have options. NSW law has a safety net for exactly this situation.

The Nominal Defendant scheme under the Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017 acts as insurer of last resort. If the driver who hit you can't be identified, the Nominal Defendant pays your compensation.

To use this scheme:

• Report the accident to NSW Police within 28 days.
• Lodge your Application for Personal Injury Benefits with the Nominal Defendant within three months.
• Note any details you can remember: vehicle colour, make, model, partial registration, direction of travel.

There's one catch. Claims against unidentified drivers go through the Nominal Defendant scheme. Access to non-economic loss (pain and suffering) damages depends on the severity of your injuries, assessed against the 10% Whole Person Impairment threshold. Medical costs and lost wages are still covered.

But if we can find the driver, the full range of damages opens up. We pursue every avenue to identify the vehicle:

• CCTV footage from nearby businesses, traffic cameras, and council surveillance.
• Witness statements from pedestrians, other cyclists, or shop staff.
• Vehicle damage reports from repair shops.
• Social media posts from community groups.

Once the driver is identified, your claim transfers to their CTP insurer and you can recover full compensation with no cap.

What to do right now: report to police, get medical treatment, and call us on 1300 011 149. Time is critical because CCTV footage gets deleted fast.

Yes. Not wearing a helmet doesn't stop you from making a claim. It may reduce your payout, but only in specific circumstances.

Here's how it works. NSW Road Rules require all cyclists to wear an approved helmet. If you weren't wearing one and you suffered head injuries, a court may reduce your compensation by 10 to 20% for contributory negligence.

But the reduction only applies to head injuries. If your injuries are a broken leg, fractured collarbone, spinal damage, or internal injuries, helmet non-use has minimal or no impact on your compensation. A helmet wouldn't have prevented those injuries, and the court recognises that.

The driver is still liable. Whether you wore a helmet or not, the driver still had a duty to watch the road, give way, and avoid hitting you. Their negligence caused the accident. Your helmet status doesn't change that.

What we do. We present medical evidence showing which injuries would have occurred regardless of helmet use. For example, if a car's left-hook crash caused a fractured pelvis and a concussion, the helmet might have reduced the concussion severity, but it wouldn't have prevented the pelvic fracture. We argue for full compensation on the non-head injuries and minimise the reduction on the head injuries.

Bottom line: a missing helmet reduces your award slightly in some cases. It doesn't destroy your claim.

Yes. You can claim the full cost of repairing or replacing your bicycle and every piece of equipment damaged in the accident. The at-fault driver's CTP insurer is liable for this.

What's covered:

• Your bicycle. If it's damaged beyond economical repair (or repair costs exceed 70% of replacement value), we claim the full replacement cost. For newer bikes under three years old, that's usually the purchase price. Older bikes are valued based on condition and market comparables.
• E-bikes. Full replacement value including battery and electric components.
• Helmet. Any helmet that's taken an impact should be replaced, even if the damage isn't visible. We claim the cost of a new approved helmet.
• Accessories. Lights, locks, cycling computer, phone mount, water bottles, and any other accessories damaged or lost.
• Clothing and safety gear. Cycling gloves, glasses, shoes, and protective wear.

How we value your bike:

We get a repair quote from a qualified bike mechanic. For replacement claims, we use your purchase receipt (if available), plus market comparisons for bikes of the same age, model, and condition.

An important note: bike damage claims ($500 to $3,000+) are smaller than car damage claims ($3,000 to $50,000+). But your personal injury compensation is often higher than a car driver's for the same accident because you had no vehicle protection.

Yes. Mental health injuries matter just as much as broken bones. Being hit by a car while cycling is a deeply scary event. Many people develop real mental health conditions that need proper care.

You can claim for:

• PTSD. Flashbacks, bad dreams, being on edge around traffic, and avoiding cycling.
• Anxiety. Panic attacks on roads, fear of crossings, constant worry.
• Depression. Losing interest in things you used to enjoy, pulling away from people, feeling flat.
• Cycling phobia. Not being able to get back on your bike even though your body has healed.
• Adjustment disorder. Struggling to cope with the changes the accident brought (can't ride to work, lost freedom).

What your claim needs:

• A diagnosis from a psychiatrist or psychologist.
• Medical evidence linking the condition to your cycling accident.
• Records of treatment (therapy, medication, specialist visits).
• Proof of how the condition affects your work, relationships, and daily life.

What you can recover:

• Costs of therapy, medication, and hospital stays.
• Lost wages if your mental health stops you from working.
• Pain and suffering for the harm itself. Awards range from $20,000 to $150,000 based on how severe the condition is.

Insurers sometimes push back on mental health claims. They call them "normal stress" or "expected reactions." We fight back with expert evidence showing the condition is real, caused by the crash, and needs ongoing treatment.

Call 1300 011 149 if you're struggling with mental health after a cycling accident. We can connect you with the right specialists.