What happens if a cyclist hits my car?

A variety of vehicles and bicycles share roads across the country on a daily basis.

Things can go wrong, often resulting in cars and bikes being involved in a collision. So what happens when a bike hits your vehicle?

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What happens if a cyclist hits my car?

If a cyclist hits a vehicle, the first thing you should do is make sure everyone involved is okay, whoever caused it.

Regardless of whether they wear protective gear or not, cyclists tend to be more at risk.

In the event of injury, you should call 999 immediately.

You then need to determine if the cyclist is under 18 and if they are insured.

There is no legal obligation for cyclists to be insured. However, if they do, you can share the data and make claims with their company.

It is not a legal requirement for cyclists to be insured. However, if this is the case, you should exchange insurance details and file a claim with their company.

If the cyclist does not have insurance, you can claim your insurance and hope that the cyclist will cooperate and pay for any damages.

If they refuse, you can take the cyclist to court and sue them for causing an accident if they were negligent while cycling.

Negligence would mean:

• Dangerous cycling and non-observance of traffic rules
• Reckless driving through pedestrians
• Skip a red light
• Driving against traffic
• Do not give in

They should also take photos at the scene, obtain the names and contact details of witnesses, and report the incident to 101 within 24 hours.

Can a motorist make a claim against a cyclist?

Yes, if a cyclist is at fault, the driver can make a claim against them if they are insured.

A driver has the right to sue a cyclist if he is accused of negligent driving.

If the two parties involved fail to resolve the dispute, the case could end up in court, which can be expensive if the cyclist is at fault and uninsured.

It can be even more complicated if the cyclist is under 18 years old.

Taking under-18s to court is proving to be a waste of time for many drivers.

Most young people under the age of 18 have neither income nor assets.

This means they could decide to pay you 50p a month until the payment is paid off. The courts would probably accept this offer.

Alternatively, you could try contacting the parents and asking if they would be willing to pay the damages.

Can a cyclist make a claim against a motorist?

Yes, cyclists can, but even when cyclists are in a more vulnerable position, drivers can still be prosecuted more severely.

In many cases, a motorist is considered careless driving, e.g. e.g.:

• Non-compliance with the traffic regulations
• Uses his phone
• Are you not paying proper attention while driving?
• cut corners
• Overtake dangerously
• Don’t check before passing intersections
• Turn the corner without showing off
• Driver exceeds speed limit

If the accident involving the driver happened while the motorist was performing such actions, the cyclist, if insured, can make a claim against him.