Tag: cyclist

Been involved in an Accident on Public Transport?

Posted on July 9, 2019 by - Blog

Have you been injured as a passenger on Public Transport?

An Accident on Public Transport can happen at any time and in any place. As a customer travelling on public transport you are trusting the driver of the vehicle with your safety. There are a number of health and safety rules in place on public transport to ensure the safety and well-being of all passengers, however unfortunately accidents do still occur. Here’s a few examples of accidents that can cause injuries on the most commonly used modes of public transport.

Bus

The chances of being injured if involved in an accident on a bus are higher as it is not a legal requirement for them to have seatbelts for passengers. As buses are on the road they can easily be involved in collisions with other vehicles which can jolt passengers out of their seats, causing injuries.

You can be injured on a bus as a result of an accident not involving a collision with another vehicle, such as if the bus driver brakes suddenly or is driving recklessly as these actions can cause passengers to be thrown from their seats or fall over if they are standing or have not yet reached their seat after getting on the bus.

If you’ve been involved in an accident on a bus be sure to let the bus driver know you have been injured. Make sure to obtain the registration of the bus you were travelling on as well as the registrations of any other vehicles involved if possible. Make a note of the bus number and if possible the location of the accident. We do also ask that you keep hold of the bus ticket or bus pass used on the journey when the accident occurred.

 

Train

Accidents on trains are less common but do still happen, these can be as a result of hazards on the trains or crashes caused by debris on the tracks or a drivers error. It is important that potential hazards are all clearly signposted for people to see such as if there is a big step down from the train to the platform and making sure people can clearly see restrictions of the platform of where is and isn’t safe to stand. Injuries can happen on trains due to technical faults such as emergency breaks activating or faulty doors trapping people in them. Defective or damaged components on trains can also cause injury such as sharp protruding objects or damaged seats.

If you’ve been injured make sure a formal report is made in the accident book, there should be one in every train station. If injured on a train be sure to make a note of which train you were traveling on, where you got on it at which time and where it was going, as well as the rail company. Also be sure to take photos if injuries were as a result of defective components.

 

Taxi

When you are a passenger in a taxi, you expect the driver of the vehicle to drive safely and follow the rules of the road, as they are responsible for your safety. If you are injured in an accident as a passenger in a taxi, you have every right to make a claim for personal injury.

Make sure that the driver is aware you have been injured, take note of the registration of the vehicle you are in as well as the driver number, name and taxi company. Try to make a note of the accident location and if possible take photos as evidence. If the accident was the fault of another vehicle try to obtain their registration and driver name.

 

If you’ve been injured in an Accident on Public Transport travelling in the last 3 years, call our team at Gowing Law today on 0161 464 4444!

Been involved in a Cycling Accident?

Posted on July 9, 2019 by - Accidents in Public, Blog, Traffic Accidents, Uncategorised

What to do if you’ve been involved in a Cycling Accident 

The roads can be very dangerous for cyclists, unfortunately accidents occur involving cyclists and motorists on a regular basis, some of these accidents can result in serious injuries for the rider as well as irreparable damage to the bike. Although most cyclists know the rules of the road they may not know what to do if involved in a cycling accident, especially if they don’t drive.

The Guide to avoiding Cycling Accidents

We have put together a guide to inform cyclists what to do in the event of a road traffic accident.

  • If you have suffered serious injuries or been knocked unconscious ensure you seek the necessary immediate medical attention such as a paramedic.
  • Identify who was at fault for the accident and what happened, make sure to get the details of the defendant such as their name and registration. A description of the vehicle and driver is also useful if you are unable to obtain specific details.
  • Check for any witnesses and obtain their names and contact details before they leave the scene of the accident.
  • Wait for police to attend the scene so that a full report can be filed. Even if the accident is minor as injuries might not be apparent for a few hours and then it will be too late to identify the defendant if you did not take details yourself.

Evidence for cycling accidents include:

  • Be sure to take photographs if possible of the damage to both your bike and any vehicles involved. Also try to take photos of the location where the accident occurred and injuries sustained. It is recommended that cyclists use dashcams. The can also use Go Pros. These can be on their bikes or helmets to provide evidence if they are involved in an accident.
  • Take photographs of any damaged property. This can be with your phone as these can be claimed for as damages. You should also present it with a receipt of purchase. Also remember after an accident a new cycle helmet should be purchased!
  • Even if you didn’t experience any immediate injuries such as cuts or bruises you should still visit your GP. You may also want to go to a walk in centre. This is because some injuries can take a few hours to become apparent such as back, shoulder and neck pain.
  • Finally, call Gowing Law on 0161 464 4444 to start your claim for personal injury!

Cyclist Safety Tips

Posted on July 8, 2019 by - Accidents in Public, Blog, Traffic Accidents, Uncategorised

Cyclist Safety Tips

Protective clothing

Cyclists should wear a correctly fitting helmet. This should be to minimise the risk of a serious head injury if they come off their bike. Wearing light coloured or fluorescent clothing can make it easier to be seen by other road users in both the dark and daylight. That way cyclist safety can be prioritized

Lights and Reflective Gear

At night cyclists MUST have red rear lights. They must also have white front lights lit as well as a red rear reflector and amber pedal reflectors. As well as using reflectors to be seen cyclists can use lights on their bikes. Although if cycling in an area with no street lights it is recommended that a steady front lamp is used rather than a flashing light, as not to dazzle other road users.

Cyclists on Pavements

There is often a lot of confusion around the subject of whether cyclists are permitted to cycle on pavements or not. According to section 64 of The Highway Code “According to Laws HA 1835 section 72 & RSA 1984, section 129, cyclists must not cycle on the pavement“.

Alcohol and Drugs

If a cyclist is deemed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol to the extent where they are incapable of having proper control of their bike they can be given a fine. This can be up to £1000 if they are cycling on a road or other public place.

Additional Tips

  • Make sure you signal clearly so motorists know where you are going
  • Use a bell to make pedestrians aware of your presence
  • Reduce speed and take into account stopping distance when roads are wet
  • Try to make eye contact with drivers at junctions and roundabouts so you know you’ve been seen
  • Be sure to give plenty of room when riding past parked cars in case someone opens the door without looking

Cyclist Accident: A case study about traffic accidents

Posted on October 26, 2018 by - Blog

A cyclist was seriously hurt when struck by a car in central Manchester. This is known as a Cyclist Accident.  The man suffered a head injury when he was involved in a collision with a car on a main road in the city centre.

The cyclist was treated at the scene but needed further hospital treatment due to the nature and severity of his injuries.

This Cyclist Accident was so severe that both carriageways were closed.

A passer-by stated ‘the man is lucky to be alive after being knocked from his bicycle’.

Have you been the victim of similar incident?

Has this cyclist accident affected you physically or mentally? If so, At Gowing Law Solicitors our goal is to handle your case quickly and efficiently, so you can get the funds you need to rebuild your life. Fill out the contact form and we’ll contact you shortly to set up a consultation. You can also call us at 0161 808 8888 to talk to one of the Team today. We can offer you our services through free consultations and advice sessions. If you are happy to work with us, we can provide you our services on a “no win-no fee” basis. That means you will never need to pay any hidden fees.

We look forward to helping you soon!