Cycling Head Injuries: Why Cyclists Are at Higher Risk and How to Claim

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You set off on your bike, just like any other day—alert, cautious, and confident in your surroundings. Then, in an instant, everything changes. A car fails to see you. A pothole sends you flying. A door swings open without warning. You hit the ground hard, and the world blurs. Your head throbs, your vision sways, and the sharp sting of confusion settles in.

This is the brutal reality for thousands of cyclists every year. Head injuries are one of the most common and serious consequences of cycling accidents, yet they remain one of the most overlooked risks on UK roads. Unlike drivers, who are protected by seatbelts, airbags, and vehicle frames, cyclists are exposed—leaving our heads and brains incredibly vulnerable in a collision.

At Cycle Legal, we understand the devastating impact of these injuries. If you've suffered a head injury in a bike accident, you’re not just dealing with the immediate trauma—you’re also facing long-term medical concerns, financial worries, and insurers who may try to downplay your claim. That’s why we fight for cyclists' rights, ensuring you receive the full compensation you deserve.

Let’s break down why cyclists suffer more head injuries than other road users, the types of injuries they sustain, and how we help you make a head injury claim for your accident.


How Common Are Head Injuries Among Cyclists?

Head injuries make up a significant proportion of serious cycling accident injuries. According to the Department for Transport (DfT):

  • 40% of all cyclist fatalities involve a serious head injury.
  • Over 70% of cyclist hospital admissions involve some form of head trauma.
  • Cyclists are 15 times more likely to suffer a head injury than car occupants in a collision.

Unlike drivers and passengers, who are shielded by metal, cyclists absorb the full impact of a crash, making us highly susceptible to concussions, skull fractures, and brain injuries.

Anytime there's a hit cyclist, there is a big risk traumatic brain injury. These are the things we need to be aware of when we hit the open roads on our bike. 


Why Are Cyclists at Higher Risk of Head Injuries?

When there's a cyclist hit, we see a far higher prevalence in spinal injuries,brain damage, severe neck injury and much more. 

Let's see why cyclists are more vulnerable to severe head injuries than other road users:

🚴 Lack of Physical Protection

  • Unlike cars, which offer airbags, seatbelts, and crumple zones, cyclists have no external protection.
  • Even low-speed crashes can cause severe head trauma, as the cyclist’s head often makes direct contact with the road, a vehicle, or another object.
  • A cycle helmet is the critical form of protection you must ensure you use on every journey. 

🚴 High Exposure to Impact Forces

  • In a cycling accident, the head is one of the first points of impact.
  • Studies show that in two-thirds of cycling crashes, cyclists are thrown forward, increasing the risk of head injuries.

🚴 Helmet Limitations

  • While helmets help reduce the severity of injuries, they are not designed to prevent all head trauma.
  • Helmets do not protect against rotational brain injuries, which can occur even in low-speed crashes.

🚴 Road & Environmental Hazards

  • Potholes, uneven surfaces, and debris frequently cause crashes, leading to cyclists hitting their heads on the road.
  • Dooring accidents (where a car door opens suddenly in a cyclist’s path) often result in direct head and face impact.

🚴 Motorist Negligence

  • Drivers failing to see cyclists, cutting them off, or overtaking too closely are leading causes of cycling head injuries.
  • Left-turn collisions with HGVs and high-speed crashes often result in catastrophic brain injuries.

Common Types of Head Injuries in Cycling Accidents

Cyclists experience a range of head injuries, from mild concussions to life-altering brain trauma:

? Concussions – The most common head injury among cyclists. Symptoms include confusion, dizziness, memory loss, and nausea.
? Skull Fractures – A direct impact to the head can cause skull fractures, sometimes leading to brain hemorrhages.
? Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) – Severe TBIs can cause permanent cognitive impairment, emotional changes, and loss of motor function.
? Brain Hemorrhages & Swelling – Internal bleeding or swelling in the brain can be life-threatening if not treated immediately.

These injuries can lead to long-term health problems, including:

🔹 Memory loss and difficulty concentrating
🔹 Emotional and psychological struggles (PTSD, anxiety, depression)
🔹 Reduced coordination, balance, and motor skills
🔹 Chronic headaches and dizziness

These problems clearly outline why you need a cycle accident solicitor to help you make your cycling injury claim. 


Legal Challenges: How Insurers Downplay Head Injuries

Insurance companies often try to minimise head injury claims, making it harder for cyclists to secure fair compensation. Common tactics include:

? Blaming the Cyclist – Insurers argue the cyclist was at fault (e.g., “They weren’t wearing a helmet”).
? Questioning the Severity of the Injury – Some insurers claim that concussions and TBIs are “mild” and don’t require significant compensation.
? Delaying or Denying Claims – Insurers may delay payments, forcing injured cyclists to accept lower settlements.

At Cycle Legal, we fight back against these tactics, ensuring that your head injuries are properly recognised in your personal injury claim.


How Cycle Legal Helps You Secure Compensation

We know that suffering a head injury in a bike accident can be life-changing

Being faced with this drastic impact, you'd be entirely forgiven for worrying about how to make your cycling accident compensation claim while you're recovering. 

That’s why Kevin, our cycling accident solicitor take every step to build a strong case, ensuring you receive the maximum personal injury compensation possible for your cycling head injury claims case. 

? Working with Medical Experts – We bring in neurologists, neuropsychologists, and brain injury specialists to provide solid medical evidence.
? Proving Long-Term Impact – We make sure insurers account for the full extent of your injuries, including ongoing medical care, lost wages, and special damages.
? Fighting for the Maximum Payout – We don’t accept lowball offers. Our cycling accident solicitors ensure you receive every penny you’re entitled to.

If you've suffered a head injury in a cycling accident, don't let insurers take advantage of you. 

Cycle Legal is here to protect your rights and secure the full cycle accident compensation you deserve.


Cycle Legal: The UK’s Leading Experts in Cycling Injury Claims

🚴??? If you or a loved one has suffered a cycling accident injury, you don’t have to face it alone.

At Cycle Legal, we are the experts in British cycling. We understand how life-changing these injuries are, and we specialise in helping cyclists secure the special damages they need to recover. Whether it’s proving liability, navigating complex medical evidence, or dealing with insurance companies, we’re here to fight for your cycle accident claim.

📞 Contact us today at 0203 735 9652 or
📩 Email [email protected] for a free consultation.

Let the leading experts in UK Cycling Law guide you to the justice and compensation you deserve.

Cycle Legal

11 Northwold Road Stoke Newington, London N16 7HL