In the UK, there’s an average of one road defect for every 110 metres of road and, according to reports, Lancashire is one of the worst areas for potholes.

Data from a Freedom of Information request submitted by Bill Plant Driving School in 2022 showed that year 67,493 potholes were reported in the county. That’s the equivalent to 15.32 potholes per mile which places Lancashire in 3rd place in the UK when compared to miles of road in the region.

We’ve previously written about how Lancashire County Council has paid out £32 million in injury compensation following accidents involving potholes over five years, and previous statistics reported that 36,577 potholes were found between January and September 2020. This new data suggests the number of reported potholes has increased significantly which is worrying for all road users but particularly more vulnerable ones such as cyclists.

While hitting a pothole in a car may mean a trip to the mechanics, hitting a pothole when on a bike can be a far worse outcome.  Not only may your bike be damaged but you may suffer injuries too.  If this is the case, we advise you to follow five simple steps.

What shall I do?

  1. Seek medical attention.

  2. Take photographs of the scene of the accident and your bike – photographs of the pothole with measurements are very helpful.

  3. Check if there are any witnesses to the accident and obtain their details.

  4. Keep hold of your bike.

  5. Contact a personal injury solicitor.

Can I claim for damage to my bike?

Repairs to bikes can be expensive and any damage should be reported to your insurers, if appropriate. It may be that arrangements will need to be made for an inspection of the bike to assess the cost of repairs or a replacement, which is why we advise that you keep hold of your bike.

What other things can I claim for?

In addition to a claim for the injuries you have suffered, you may be able to claim for other financial losses you have incurred.  Examples of financial claims you can make are:

  • Loss of earnings – any unpaid time off work/missed overtime.

  • Medication/prescription expenses.

  • Public transport fares/taxis.

  • Household help – such as help dressing/undressing, bathing or any household chores.

  • Aids and equipment – any items which help you continue with your day-to-day life (such as a wheelchair).

  • Missed holidays or activities which you have pre-paid.

Make sure to keep your receipts for any expenses you have incurred.  This will assist in proving you have paid out for these things.

At Farleys, we operate the majority of our personal injury cases on a ‘No Win No Fee’ agreement. If you or a friend/family member has been injured whilst cycling as a result of a pothole, contact one of our experienced team for a no obligation assessment of your case on 0845 287 0939 or complete our online contact form.