Cyclist Wins £500K After Life-Changing Brain Injury

The Accident That Changed Everything 

Our client, a retired engineer in his early 70s and a passionate cyclist, was out enjoying a routine ride near his home when everything changed in an instant. At a nearby roundabout, he was struck by a vehicle and violently thrown from his bike, hitting his head on the ground. He was wearing protective cycling gear, including a helmet, but the impact left him unconscious at the scene. He has no memory of the crash. 

What initially seemed like a relatively minor accident quickly became something far more serious. 

A Devastating Diagnosis 

Following the accident, our client was rushed to hospital, where scans revealed multiple bleeds on his brain. He spent weeks in an induced coma in intensive care before being moved to a neuro-enhanced care unit. The physical trauma was severe, but the emotional strain on his family was just as significant. 

Despite their constant presence and concern, communication from the hospital staff was poor. His loved ones weren’t even told that he had suffered a fall during his hospital stay, and his previous level of health and independence wasn’t taken into account. Staff treated him like a frail, elderly patient with dementia, rather than a strong, mentally sharp man recovering from a serious Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). 

The Hidden Impact: Mental Health and Identity 

Beyond the physical injury, the accident tore at the fabric of who he was. He lost not just his ability to cycle or drive, but his sense of self. The blow to his independence caused a deep emotional toll. He spiralled into depression and had suicidal thoughts. 

His driving ban was especially difficult. For him, driving wasn’t just transport, it was freedom. Though he tried to return to a manual car, anxiety and distraction proved too much, and he failed his re-test. Eventually, with support, he agreed to retrain in an automatic vehicle and had plans to re-test by the time the claim settled. 

Building the Case

After the accident, his family reached out to Fletchers Solicitors. Associate Solicitor Oliver Shaw and Paralegal Grace Laithwaite took the lead on the claim. 

One of the first challenges was securing vital evidence. The police had taken possession of his GoPro and GPS data while investigating possible criminal charges against the driver, which delayed proving fault. Fortunately, his daughter was able to access backups of the footage and ride data, showing clearly where and how the crash had happened. 

This allowed us to establish liability and persuade the defendant’s insurer to begin funding crucial rehabilitation without delay. 

Fighting for His Recovery 

Pressure from the hospital to discharge him before he was ready created huge anxiety for the family. But with the support of a Case Manager, we pushed back. He was clearly not yet safe to go home, his mobility and balance were untested, his mental state was fragile, and his wife, who worked part-time, could not offer full-time care. 

Thanks to funding secured by our team, he was transferred to a specialist neuro-rehabilitation facility at £20,000 per month. There, under the care of a team including neuropsychologists, vestibular physiotherapists, and occupational therapists, he began to rebuild. Gradually, he walked unaided, regained confidence, and eventually returned to cycling, this time on safe, off-road trails. 

Further Complications 

His journey wasn’t without setbacks. After being discharged from the neurorehab unit, he suffered several falls. A scan revealed another brain bleed, and tests diagnosed him with SIADH, a hormone disorder. Worse still, a bladder tumour was discovered, leading to surgery and chemotherapy in 2024. 

His medical history, including a previous cycling accident and earlier cancer investigations, made the case complex. Were his falls caused by the TBI, the cancer, or an undiagnosed condition? 

We brought together expert opinions from neurologists, endocrinologists, urologists and vestibular specialists. After reviewing thousands of pages of records, our legal team built a compelling case that it was the brain injury that caused the greatest long-term impact. 

Settlement and a New Chapter 

The defendant offered a £500,000 settlement. While our team felt there was room to negotiate higher, particularly given the balance issues and potential future care needs, our client chose to accept. He wanted closure. He wanted to move on. 

With the support of his wife and his rehab team, he had made a remarkable recovery. He was walking again. He was cycling again. And most importantly, he was hopeful again. 

A Word from Our Solicitor 

Reflecting on the case, Associate Solicitor Oliver Shaw said: 

“The case shows how important it is to act quickly to secure important evidence, to work closely with the Case Manager, even where there is a joint instruction, and to listen carefully to what clients and their families need. A forensic review of many thousands of pages of medical records ensured that we were in the best position to help our Client through all his difficulties.” 

If You’ve Suffered a Similar Injury, We’re Here to Help 

Whether you or a loved one has experienced a traumatic brain injury due to a cycling or road traffic accident, our experienced serious injury team can help. We’ll listen, advise, and fight for the care, compensation and respect you deserve. Contact us today.