Can I claim compensation if I was hit while cycling in Scotland?

Yes. If a driver or other road user owed you a duty of care and breached it, causing your cycling injury, you may have a claim. The typical time-limit is three years from the date of the accident (or from when you became aware of significant harm).

Does “no win, no fee” apply to cycling accident claims?

Many personal injury solicitors in Scotland offer conditional fee arrangements for cycling/road traffic claims. Always confirm details: success fee percentages, who pays outlays, what happens if you lose.

What losses can be included in a cycling accident claim?

Compensation may cover your physical injury, pain & suffering, bike repair or replacement, lost earnings (commuting to cycle/work), medical or therapy costs, travel/time off etc.

What evidence do I need for a cycling accident claim?

Key evidence: police/incident report (if any), photographs of scene & bike damage, witness statements, medical records, proof of lost earnings/time off, helmet or gear evidence, maintenance of bike, route hazards.

What if I was partly at fault (e.g., slipped or lost control) when cycling?

In Scotland contributory negligence may reduce your compensation proportionally to your share of fault. Your solicitor will assess how that applies in your case.

How long will a cycling accident claim take to settle?

It varies. Simple cases may settle in months; if liability is disputed, injuries severe or future losses high, it may take longer (1-3 years or more). Your solicitor should provide a realistic estimate.

What should I ask in my first meeting with a cycling-accident solicitor?

Ask: What is your experience in cycling claims? What is your fee structure? Who will handle my case? What is your success/outcome record? How will you communicate with me? What happens if liability is denied?

If I live in East Kilbride, Lanarkshire or near Glasgow, can I still instruct these firms?

Yes. Many of the firms listed service clients across West Scotland, and not only in Glasgow or Edinburgh proper. Confirm that the firm covers your local area and will attend clinic or home visit if required.

Does having a bike-specific solicitor matter?

Yes — firms familiar with cycling accidents will better understand typical hazards (doors, passes, cycle lanes, commuting gear), bike-damage issues and the specific evidence needed. This improves your chance of timely, fair outcome.

What if my accident was during a charity ride or recreational outing rather than commuting?

You can still claim if someone else’s negligence caused your injury. Whether you were commuting or riding recreationally doesn’t change eligibility — but you should still seek advice promptly as circumstances may differ.

Best Cycling Accident Lawyers in Glasgow & Edinburgh, Scotland

If you’ve been injured while cycling in or around Glasgow or Edinburgh, selecting a solicitor experienced in bike-related collisions is crucial. This article lists the top 10 law firms specialising in cycling accident claims across Scotland’s central belt. We have ranked them based on visible client review profiles, the presence of cycling/road-traffic accident pages, and geographic reach. This list is a starting point — you should still speak directly to the firm about your specific circumstances.

Lawford Kidd Personal Injury Lawyers
Operating across Scotland (including Glasgow & Edinburgh) and explicitly listing “Cycling Accident Compensation Claims” on their site. They claim over 250 five-star reviews and a 100% recommendation rate from clients. Their broad injury-focus plus strong review base make them number one.
Calio Claims
Focused on industrial/work-accidents but also handle road-traffic & cycling injuries. They publish case studies of “accidents at work” and claim decades of experience. Their affiliation with a larger firm gives scale and capability.
Jones Whyte Law Ltd
Glasgow-based full-service law firm with a sizeable personal injury team. They report over 2,100 reviews on Trustpilot (5-star) and have a personal injury service page. Their large volume gives confidence in availability and resource.
Balfour + Manson LLP
Edinburgh-based (with Glasgow presence) personal injury practice ranked #4 in Glasgow for PI firms (#447 reviews) on ReviewSolicitors. Good fit for cyclists in east/central Scotland.
Digby Brown LLP
Scotland’s largest specialist personal injury firm. They carry 3,000+ reviews and list a dedicated “Cycling Accident” page. Strong choice for serious or complex cycling collision claims.
Gildeas Solicitors
Established in 1989, offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Their site highlights “Cycling Accident Claims” among their services. Great option for cycling injuries with a specialist-personal-injury focus.
Miller Samuel Hill Brown (MSHB)
They report a 98% “would recommend” score and 96% satisfaction rate per ReviewSolicitors. Suitable for cycling cases particularly where there is overlapping work-accident or employer liability.
The Glasgow Law Practice
A more boutique Glasgow firm with a dedicated “Accidents at Work” and personal injury team, potentially more personal handling. Good for clients seeking closer attention from a smaller team.
Bonnar Accident Law
Based in Glasgow/East Kilbride/Airdrie; client testimonials include workers injured at work and road traffic/accident support. Strong local accessibility in the Central Belt.
Cycle Law Scotland / RTA Law Scotland
A niche practitioner focusing exclusively on injured cyclists and vulnerable road-users in Scotland. Ideal if you want a very specialist cycling-claims firm.

How we selected and rated them

Presence of a dedicated service page addressing cycling or road traffic/cycle-accident claims.
Visible client review volumes and quality (for example, Lawford Kidd with 250+ five-star reviews; Digby Brown with 3,000+ reviews)
Geographic coverage: offices in Glasgow and/or Edinburgh plus ability to service wider West/East Scotland.
Focus on claimant-side personal injury rather than only general legal work.
Our list is **not** a guarantee of outcome — your case will depend on facts, evidence, timing, liability and specialist input.

Important Notes for Injured Cyclists

Cycling accidents often involve particular risks: collisions with motor vehicles (including careless passes), road-surface hazards, doorings, shared-use paths, junctions, helmet/gear evidence, and cycle-specific damage (bike repair costs, lost commuting earnings). When assessing a solicitor, ask:

Have you handled cycling-specific injuries (bike vs car, commuter, recreational) before?
Do you operate on a no-win-no-fee or conditional-fee basis? What are the fees/outlays?
Will you deal with both the physical injury claim *and* ancillary losses (bike damage, commuting costs, time off work)?
Who will handle my case day-to-day? What is their experience with Scots law and cycling claims?
How will you keep me updated and can you pursue claims in Edinburgh *and* Glasgow if required?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I claim compensation if I was hit while cycling in Scotland?: Yes. If a driver or other road user owed you a duty of care and breached it, causing your cycling injury, you may have a claim. The typical time-limit is three years from the date of the accident (or from when you became aware of significant harm) under Scots law.
2. Does “no win, no fee” apply to cycling accident claims?: Many personal injury solicitors in Scotland offer conditional fee arrangements for cycling/road traffic claims. Always confirm details: success fee percentages, who pays outlays, what happens if you lose.
3. What losses can be included in a cycling accident claim?: Compensation may cover your physical injury, pain & suffering, bike repair or replacement, lost earnings (commuting to cycle/work), medical or therapy costs, travel/time off etc.
4. What evidence do I need for a cycling accident claim?: Key evidence: police/incident report (if any), photographs of scene & bike damage, witness statements, medical records, proof of lost earnings/time off, helmet or gear evidence, maintenance of bike, route hazards.
5. What if I was partly at fault (e.g., slipped or lost control) when cycling?: In Scotland contributory negligence may reduce your compensation proportionally to your share of fault. Your solicitor will assess how that applies in your case.
6. How long will a cycling accident claim take to settle?: It varies. Simple cases may settle in months; if liability is disputed, injuries severe or future losses high, it may take longer (1-3 years or more). Your solicitor should provide a realistic estimate.
7. What should I ask in my first meeting with a cycling-accident solicitor?: Ask: What is your experience in cycling claims? What is your fee structure? Who will handle my case? What is your success/outcome record? How will you communicate with me? What happens if liability is denied?
8. If I live in East Kilbride, Lanarkshire or near Glasgow, can I still instruct these firms?: Yes. Many of the firms listed service clients across West Scotland, and not only in Glasgow or Edinburgh proper. Confirm that the firm covers your local area and will attend clinic or home visit if required.
9. Does having a bike-specific solicitor matter?: Yes — firms familiar with cycling accidents will better understand typical hazards (doors, passes, cycle lanes, commuting gear), bike-damage issues and the specific evidence needed. This improves your chance of timely, fair outcome.
10. What if my accident was during a charity ride or recreational outing rather than commuting?: You can still claim if someone else’s negligence caused your injury. Whether you were commuting or riding recreationally doesn’t change eligibility — but you should still seek advice promptly as circumstances may differ.