A pothole can cause a cyclist to lose control without warning. It may throw them from their bike, force them into traffic or cause a collision with another road user.
If you are injured in this type of accident, your first priority should be safety. You should then take practical steps to record what happened, get medical attention and preserve key information.
Table of Contents
Stop Safely and Check for Injuries
Stop as soon as it is safe. Move away from traffic if you can do so without risk.
Check yourself for injuries. If anyone else was involved, check whether they need help too. Call 999 if anyone needs urgent medical attention or if the accident has created a hazard for other road users.
Do not move anyone with serious injuries unless there is an immediate danger, such as fast-moving traffic or another clear risk.
Call the Emergency Services if Needed
You should contact the emergency services if:
- Someone has been injured
- Another road user was involved
- The road is blocked
- Debris is creating a hazard
- The bicycle cannot be moved safely
- Public property has been damaged
- The accident has created a risk to other cyclists, drivers or pedestrians
Police attendance can also create an official record of the incident. This may be helpful if there are later questions about how the cycling accident happened.
Get Medical Attention
Some cycling accident injuries are not clear straight away. Pain, stiffness, dizziness and reduced movement can develop after the initial shock.
Depending on your injuries, you may need to attend A&E, visit an urgent treatment centre or speak to your GP. Follow medical advice and keep a record of appointments.
Cycling accidents caused by potholes can lead to injuries such as:
- Head injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Wrist and hand injuries
- Knee injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Fractures
- Cuts and bruising
- Soft tissue injuries
Make a note of symptoms as they appear. This may include pain, headaches, dizziness, bruising, reduced mobility or anxiety linked to a physical injury.
Record the Pothole
If it is safe, take clear photographs of the pothole. Try to show its size, depth and position on the road.
Also record:
- The road name
- The nearest junction or landmark
- The date and time
- The weather and lighting conditions
- Whether there were warning signs
- Whether the pothole was filled with water or hard to see
- Whether the pothole was in a cycle lane or close to the kerb
Include nearby road markings, signs, kerbs or buildings in your photos. These details can help identify the exact location later.
Do not put yourself at further risk to take photographs. Only record the pothole when it is safe and lawful to do so.
Photograph the Wider Scene
Photos of the wider area can help show what happened.
Where safe, take images of:
- Damage to your bicycle
- Damage to your helmet
- Damage to your clothing
- Damage to cycling equipment
- The road surface
- Debris or loose material
- Skid marks or tyre marks
- Traffic signs
- The position of your bicycle
- Weather or visibility issues
- Visible injuries
These details may help explain how the pothole caused the cycling accident. They may also show whether other hazards contributed to the incident.
Exchange Details With Other Road Users
If another road user was involved, exchange details with them.
Collect their:
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- Vehicle registration, where relevant
- Insurance details, where relevant
- Vehicle make and model, where relevant
If another cyclist or pedestrian was involved, collect their contact details too.
Keep the conversation factual. Do not admit fault at the scene. The full circumstances may not yet be clear.
Speak to Witnesses
Witnesses may help explain how the accident happened.
Ask for their name and contact details. Make a brief note of what they saw while it is fresh in your mind.
They may have seen you hit the pothole. They may also know whether the road defect had been present for some time.
You can also check whether footage may be available from:
- Helmet cameras
- Dashcams
- CCTV from nearby businesses
- CCTV from nearby properties
- Other cyclists or drivers
Footage can be useful where the accident happened quickly or where there is disagreement about responsibility.
Report the Pothole
Report the pothole to the relevant authority. For many local roads, this will be the local council. For motorways and major A roads in England, it may be National Highways.
Provide the location, photographs and any useful reference points. Keep a copy of the report or reference number.
Reporting the pothole can help create a record of the defect. It may also help prevent further cycling accidents in the same location.
Make a Written Note of What Happened
Write down the details as soon as possible. A short account can help you remember key facts later.
Include:
- Where you were cycling
- Your direction of travel
- Your approximate speed
- Traffic conditions
- Weather and visibility
- How your bicycle reacted
- Whether you were using a cycle lane
- What happened after impact
- When you first noticed any injuries
Keep the note factual and in your own words.
Keep Relevant Records
Keep documents connected to the cycling accident, your injuries and any practical impact.
This may include:
- Medical letters
- Prescription receipts
- Travel costs for appointments
- Bicycle repair estimates
- Bicycle replacement estimates
- Helmet replacement costs
- Cycling equipment replacement costs
- Insurance correspondence
- Evidence of time away from work
- Records of care or support needs
These may be useful if you later seek advice from a cycling accident solicitor.
Consider Whether to Report the Incident to Your Insurer
A cycling solicitor will be able to include all relevant losses in your cycling accident claim. This includes injury-related losses, treatment costs, rehabilitation needs, damaged equipment, lost earnings and other expenses linked to the accident.
You may also want to consider whether you should report the incident to your insurer. Check your policy so you understand what is covered and what steps you need to take.
Keep records of any conversations with your insurer. This includes dates, names and reference numbers. You should also keep copies of emails, letters and any repair estimates.
Understand How Negligence May Be Relevant
A pothole cycling accident may involve negligence if the road was not inspected, maintained or repaired properly.
Relevant factors may include whether the pothole had already been reported, how long it had been there and whether warning signs were in place.
Negligence may also be relevant if another road user contributed to the accident. For example, a driver may have reacted dangerously or failed to give enough space.
Pothole-related cycling accidents can happen anywhere. If you are injured and believe someone else may have been responsible, seek legal advice.
When to Seek Legal Advice
You may wish to seek legal advice if you were injured because of someone else's negligence.
This may be useful if:
- You needed medical treatment
- Your injuries are affecting daily life
- Another road user was involved
- The road defect was serious
- Responsibility is unclear
- You want to understand whether compensation may be available
A bicycle accident solicitor can explain your options and the steps involved.
A pothole-related cycling accident can be frightening and disorientating. Following the right steps in the immediate aftermath can help protect your safety, support your recovery and preserve important information.
The most important thing is to prioritise medical attention where anyone has been injured. Once the immediate risks have been addressed, taking a careful and practical approach can make it easier to deal with insurers, road authorities and any questions about responsibility.
Avoid rushing decisions, making assumptions about fault or overlooking details that may be relevant later. If you believe the accident happened because of someone else's negligence, speaking to a cycling accident solicitor can help you understand your options and whether compensation may be available.
