There has been a huge explosion in the popularity of cycling in recent years, which has many positives for the environment, health and traffic congestion. However, with the rise in popularity of cycling in our cities and towns it is a sad reality that there has been an increase in accidents involving cars and bicycles. Accidents between bicycles and cars happen more often than we might imagine and without the restraints of a seat belt and the protection of a vehicle, cyclists are left vulnerable to sustaining particularly bad injuries.
If you have been knocked off your bike due to the negligence of a motorist you may be entitled to make a personal injury compensation claim for your injuries and the losses you have sustained. Your case will be treated no different because you are a cyclist; you are a valid user of the road.
We are often asked by injured cyclists what happens if the car that hit them suddenly drives off without providing their personal information and insurance details? It is very often believed that in such cases you cannot bring a personal injury claim. But, this is untrue. If you have been involved in an accident that was not your fault and sustained injuries, you are entitled to make a compensation claim, even if the other driver is untraceable or uninsured. The fact that the driver cannot be identified will not affect your claim; rather, it will only change who you claim compensation from. After a police report, if it still not possible to identify the driver of the car and their insurance company, you can make a claim to the MIBI.
The Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) is a body set up by the Government and funded by the insurance industry as a way to compensate those who have been involved in road traffic accidents caused by negligent or reckless drivers that are uninsured or unidentifiable. This means that if you are a cyclist, you can make a compensation claim to the MIBI for the injuries that you sustained, as well as any losses incurred due to the accident, such as lost wage and medical bills, against an unknown driver or uninsured driver.
The MIBI carry out similar investigations as normal insurance claims to establish who was at fault for the road traffic accident and who is responsible for the injuries you have sustained. They will exam the facts of your case, as well as analyse damage to your bike, look at medical records and conduct an independent medical report if it is needed.
If you are a cyclist and you have been involved in an accident that was not your fault with an untraced driver or an uninsured driver, it is always recommended to contact a professional and experienced solicitor to see whether you are entitled to make a cycling accident personal injury claim. On your behalf, a legal professional can make a claim to the MIBI and make sure you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
At McSweeney Solicitors, we are specialist personal injury solicitors with extensive experience in handling cases involving all types of accidents, including untraced drivers and uninsured drivers with cyclists. We are able to advise you on what steps you can take next and whether you are entitled to make a compensation claim to the MIBI.