Estimate your potential personal injury claim value after a bicycle accident.
Minor Soft Tissue / Bruising
Arm, Wrist, or Hand
Leg, Ankle, or Foot
Back or Neck Injury
Head or Brain Injury
Shoulder Injury
Minor (Full recovery within weeks/months)
Moderate (Ongoing symptoms, minor lifestyle impact)
Severe (Permanent disability or long-term care)
General Damages (Pain & Suffering):£0
Special Damages (Financial Loss):£0
Estimated Total Compensation: £0
*Disclaimer: This is a rough estimate based on industry guidelines. Actual values vary by case.
How Cycle Accident Compensation is Calculated
A bicycle accident claim is divided into two primary categories: General Damages and Special Damages. Understanding these allows you to gauge the potential value of your claim more accurately.
1. General Damages
This covers the non-financial impact of the accident. It relates specifically to the Pain, Suffering, and Loss of Amenity (PSLA). The value is determined by the "Judicial College Guidelines," which provide brackets for different types of injuries based on their severity and recovery time.
Minor Injuries: Typically resolved within a year.
Moderate Injuries: May involve fractures or persistent pain that affects daily life but doesn't prevent all activity.
Severe Injuries: Life-changing injuries involving neurological damage, loss of limb, or chronic debilitating pain.
2. Special Damages
These are the quantifiable financial losses you have incurred as a direct result of the cycle accident. It aims to put you back in the financial position you would have been in had the accident not occurred.
Expense Category
What it Includes
Bicycle & Gear
Cost of repair or replacement of the bike, helmet, and cycling kit.
Loss of Earnings
Salary lost during time off work and potential future loss of income.
Medical Expenses
Physiotherapy, medication, private surgery, or counseling.
Travel Costs
Travel to and from medical appointments or legal meetings.
Examples of Compensation Estimates
Scenario A: Minor Collision
A cyclist is knocked off their bike resulting in soft tissue bruising and a broken wheel. Recovery takes 3 months.
– General Damages: £1,200
– Special Damages (Bike repair + travel): £400
Estimated Total: £1,600
Scenario B: Moderate Leg Fracture
A cyclist suffers a fractured tibia requiring surgery and 2 months off work.
– General Damages: £8,500
– Special Damages (Lost wages + Rehab): £4,500
Estimated Total: £13,000
Factors That Can Reduce Your Compensation
In some cases, "Contributory Negligence" may apply. This occurs if the cyclist is found partially responsible for their injuries. Common examples include:
Failing to use lights while cycling at night.
Cycling against the direction of traffic.
Not wearing a helmet (this is debated but can sometimes reduce head injury payouts by 10-25%).
function calculateCycleCompensation() {
var injuryType = document.getElementById('injuryType').value;
var severity = parseFloat(document.getElementById('severity').value);
var bikeValue = parseFloat(document.getElementById('bikeValue').value) || 0;
var medicalCosts = parseFloat(document.getElementById('medicalCosts').value) || 0;
var lostEarnings = parseFloat(document.getElementById('lostEarnings').value) || 0;
var baseValue = 0;
// Base values for General Damages (Pain and Suffering)
switch(injuryType) {
case 'soft_tissue':
baseValue = 1200;
break;
case 'arm_wrist':
baseValue = 3500;
break;
case 'leg_ankle':
baseValue = 4500;
break;
case 'back_neck':
baseValue = 3800;
break;
case 'head_brain':
baseValue = 6000;
break;
case 'shoulder':
baseValue = 3000;
break;
default:
baseValue = 1000;
}
// Apply severity multiplier
var generalDamages = baseValue * severity;
// Special Damages
var specialDamages = bikeValue + medicalCosts + lostEarnings;
// Total
var totalCompensation = generalDamages + specialDamages;
// Formatting numbers for UK Pound display
var formatter = new Intl.NumberFormat('en-GB', {
style: 'currency',
currency: 'GBP',
minimumFractionDigits: 0,
maximumFractionDigits: 0,
});
document.getElementById('resGeneral').innerText = formatter.format(generalDamages);
document.getElementById('resSpecial').innerText = formatter.format(specialDamages);
document.getElementById('resTotal').innerText = formatter.format(totalCompensation);
document.getElementById('resultBox').style.display = 'block';
// Smooth scroll to result
document.getElementById('resultBox').scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth', block: 'nearest' });
}