What is a Bicycle Accidents Claim?
Bicycle accident claims cover collisions where a cyclist is injured by a motorist, another cyclist, or a road defect. The most common Dublin claim is the "dooring" incident, where a motorist opens a car door into a cyclist’s path. Left-hook collisions, where a left-turning driver cuts across a cyclist, are also frequent, as are claims involving council potholes and uneven road surfaces.
Am I Entitled to Claim?
You can claim if another road user acted negligently, if a council failed to maintain the road to a reasonable standard, or if you were struck by a vehicle whose driver failed to check before manoeuvring. The two-year limitation period applies to road traffic and public liability aspects, though shorter statutory notice periods apply to council claims.
Step-by-Step Process
Immediate Safety
Move off the road if safe. Call an ambulance for any head injury, however minor it seems.
Police and Witnesses
Call Gardai. Ask passing cyclists and pedestrians for contact details before they leave.
Document the Scene
Photos of the bike, the hazard or vehicle, road layout, and any road markings or defects.
Preserve the Bike
Do not repair your bike until an engineering report has been completed.
Contact Keans
We identify the responsible party (driver, council, or other) and build your claim.
IRB or Direct
Driver claims go to the IRB. Council claims may be served directly after statutory notice.
Evidence That Strengthens Your Claim
The stronger the evidence, the more straightforward the claim. Where possible, gather the following:
- Photos of your bike, the hazard, and the road layout
- Details of the motorist and their insurance (if applicable)
- Garda Pulse reference number
- Helmet and gear (keep for inspection)
- Witness names and numbers including other cyclists
- Cycle shop engineering assessment of damage to the bike
- Medical records from A&E and any specialist referrals
Compensation Ranges
Based on the Judicial Council’s Personal Injury Guidelines 2021. Awards may also include special damages for lost earnings, medical costs, and future care needs. Exact value depends on your specific injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
Under Irish road law, motorists must check before opening their door. The "Dutch Reach" (opening the driver’s door with the far hand to force you to look) is now part of the driving test curriculum. Dooring a cyclist is almost always the driver’s fault.
No. Cycle helmets are not legally required in Ireland. Not wearing one may reduce your compensation for a head injury on contributory negligence grounds, but it does not end the claim. We argue these points carefully.
Yes, but council claims require a specific statutory notice and have shorter procedural deadlines than other personal injury claims. You also need to show the council knew or should have known about the defect. We handle this process from the first notice onward.
Yes. The Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) covers hit-and-run claims where the driver cannot be traced. You must have reported the accident to Gardai within two days for MIBI to accept the claim.
Two years from the date of the accident or the date you first became aware of the injury. Certain exceptions apply for minors and cases involving delayed discovery, but the two-year limit is the default. Miss it and your claim is statute barred, so contact a solicitor early.
No. The initial consultation at Keans is free. For personal injury cases we discuss all fees in writing before work begins. In contentious business, Irish law prevents solicitors from calculating fees as a percentage of your award or settlement.