According to 2014 DfT statistics, over half of drivers (57%) involved in an accident with a cyclist told police that they had ‘failed to look properly' before the accident. However, 43% of cyclists admitted that they didn't look properly either. Overall, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) says that human error is to blame for 73% of all cycling accidents in the UK.

Inattention is a particular problem , and especially so at junctions, says RoSPA. In fact, 75% of all cycle accidents occur at or close to junctions.

If you have suffered injury in a cycling accident in Scotland and would like more information about the process of making a claim, click here for more information.

Additional cycling accident risk factors

As the above statistics demonstrate, no single type of road user should shoulder the blame for cycling accidents; there are various factors at play. However, all of the following are known to be particularly hazardous to cyclists: 

• When a cyclist has to filter through traffic
• When a cyclist has to pass through a roundabout
• When there are problems with the road surface, such as a pothole or diesel spill
• When the cyclist is riding as part of a group, leaving passing motorists insufficient space to overtake
• When the speed limit is higher (rural roads account for around half of all fatal cycle accidents)

Additionally, the following list provides information about some of the more common types of cycling accident. As such, extra care should be taken whenever any of the following factors are at play:

• The cycling is taking place in an urban area (around 75% of fatal or serious cyclist accidents occur in urban areas)
• The cycling is taking place in a rural area (around half of cyclist fatalities occur on rural roads)
• It is daylight (around 80% of accidents occur in daylight hours)
• The cycling involves or is near to children (around 25% of cyclists killed or injured are children)

You will find more details of the most common factors affecting road accidents in our common accidents section.

Help with your cycling accident claim

If you have been involved in a cycle accident, and think that you might have grounds for receiving compensation, it is worth talking to a personal injury claims lawyer who understands all the relevant areas of the law.

Thompsons is Scotland's largest personal injury firm, each week securing around £1 million in compensation for its clients and winning 90% of the cases it takes on. Talk to us today without obligation for advice regarding your rights and options. Simply call 0800 0891 331 or click here for more information regarding our offices and points of contact.