Our aim is to ensure that Claimants proceeding through Cycle Aid, and their solicitors Smith Jones, recover all of their damages without deduction.

Indeed, Cycle Aid's solicitors, Smith Jones, fund the cyclist's claim throughout the proceedings so you are never put out of pocket.

Most road accidents involving bikes are not the cyclist's fault. Its usually motorists failing to keep a proper watch or failing to give way to cyclists and often passengers opening car doors straight into the path of a cyclist. Sound familiar?! The claims tend, therefore, to be sound, which helps.

In our legal system, the person who "wins" is also paid the costs of preparing the case - police report fee, medical records fees, court fees, medical report fees and the lawyer's fees.

So if the case results in a win, there is not a problem - the cyclist does not pay any costs and cycles away with the compensation.

However, if the case is lost the successful defendant - the motorist or Highway Authority for example - will be looking to claim their legal fees from the unsuccessful claimant, potentially quite a big problem.

(Non-accident examples that are widely known which illustrate this are the defamation actions where a politician or some other person in the public eye attempts to sue a newspaper or even the owner of a London department store. It is often the costs run up by the lawyers which are the most newsworthy item).

Cycle Aid provide solutions to the risk of losing and incurring costs:-

For a one off premium the policy, if the case is unsuccessful, covers the successful Defendant's costs, the expenses incurred by Smith Jones, on behalf of the Claimant and even the premium is refunded! The only item that is not paid are the legal costs of the Claimant's representative but, Cycle Aid's solicitors, Smith Jones, run on a no win, no fee basis and will forego their fees in such circumstances.

But when the case is won, the cost of the policy is paid by the compensating Defendant's insurers as part of the costs of the action so there are no deductions from the Claimant's damages.

  Invoke a "before the event" insurance policy

The alternative is to look at any household insurance policy there may be. If this includes legal expenses insurance then that may be the answer.

Remember: your household insurers cannot impose their choice of lawyer upon you. You have the right to choose.

Legal costs are the most difficult concept to grasp. There always seem to be exceptions. However, our appraisal letter will sort the situation out for you and that is written free, and without obligation.  

Most times we are able to succeed in recovering costs. The only exception is if claims are made against the Criminal Injuries Compensation Agency. This might be where a cyclist is injured as the result of a crime of violence.  This organisation does not  pay separate legal costs; the award is intended to incorporate such an element.  If this applies to you, further advice will be given in your appraisal letter.