Cycling accidents

Our National Specialist Interest Group for Cyclists

Slater and Gordon has a team of cycling experts who are passionate about cycling and have a wide range of expertise, from providing specialist legal advice to cyclists and lobbying and campaigning to taking part in cycling fundraising events.

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Meet our experts

Our National Specialist Interest Group for Cyclists consists of Slater and Gordon colleagues who are passionate about cycling and representing cyclists who've been injured on Britain's roads.

Richard Gaffney

Expert profile of Richard Gaffney

Richard is a principal lawyer in the catastrophic and serious personal injury team based in Cambridge, and leads a team of lawyers. He's been practicing law since 1998 and is highly experienced in representing cyclists with serious injuries, ensuring they get the best possible outcome to their claim as well as the rehabilitation and treatment they need to move forward with their lives. He's highly recommended in independent legal guides, Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 and has been for many years.

Richard, what does cycling mean to you?

I live just outside the city in a little village on the way to Newmarket. I have always commuted into work by bicycle and love the freedom and exercise that entails. We are fortunate in Cambridge to have a great cycle network both outside and within the city limits.

I provide the main link between Cycling UK and Slater and Gordon who both have a mutual interest in lobbying for the interests of cyclists and cycling accident victims. I provide a bi-monthly advice column for Cycling queries in Cycle magazine and have published several articles in the same publication and on the firm’s website.

I try and keep my finger on the pulse of matters that directly affect the cycling community. I am a member of the Association of Consumer Support Organisations which lobbies hard for cyclists and other vulnerable road users to influence government policy and to reduce the dangers on our roads and am a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling and Walking.

Read more about Richard here.

John Davis

John Davis

John is a consulting principal lawyer based in Newcastle. He's been representing clients who've suffered life-changing neurological conditions, including cyclists, for over 30 years and has considerable experience in this field. He's accredited by APIL in three areas of specialism - personal injury, brain injury and spinal cord injury, and is also highly recommended in independent legal guides, Chambers and Partners and Legal 500.

John, what does cycling mean to you?

I have cycled pretty much all my life, but I became 'a cyclist' in the late 1990s when a serious back injury (sustained whilst playing in an international Ultimate Frisbee tournament!) ruled out other high-impact sports.

I have cycled regularly pretty much ever since. I am a recreational rider, and I don’t race or cycle competitively, but I get out on my bike whenever I can. It's a great way to get around, to explore parts of the country that you simply don't see from a car and to give yourself a good workout at the same time. I’ve tackled some beautiful long-distance routes over the years, and I’ve also cycled to help to raise money for charity.

Read more about John here.

Tracey Benson

Tracey Benson

Tracey is a principal lawyer and is head of the serious injury department in the South of England. She qualified as a solicitor in 2000 and has extensive experience in road traffic collisions involving cyclists. Tracey has been highly commended in independent legal guides, Chambers and Partners and Legal 500, for a number of years and has regularly appeared in the media, on shows such as Good Morning Britain, BBC News and London Live.

Tracey, what does cycling mean to you?

I have represented cyclists and their families whose lives have been impacted as a result of serious injury or fatal injury for over 20 years. My work representing these families means I have vast experience surrounding the quantification of fatal injury cases and fighting for the spouses and dependants to secure their futures financially.

In addition to road traffic collisions, I have extensive experience of cases involving breaches of the Highways Act 1980 and public liability claims, often representing cyclists who have suffered serious injuries as a result of road defects.

I support and work with the charities Roadpeace and Brake and am passionate about helping injured cyclists and their families get the access to justice they need to rebuild their lives and also to secure them early rehabilitation and financial assistance.

Read more about Tracey here.

Stuart Cochran

Expert profile of Stuart Cochran

Stuart is a principal lawyer and heads the personal injury practice in Scotland. He qualified as a solicitor in 1994 and leads a team of dedicated personal injury lawyers who represent cyclists who've been injured on the roads. He's highly commended for his work and has been considered a 'Key Lawyer' in independent legal guide, Legal 500, which stated: "Stuart provides enviable advice in complex litigation cases".

Stuart, what does cycling mean to you?

I really enjoy cycling and in particular, mountain biking with my family. I live in Edinburgh close to the Pentland Hills which are great for cycling, with fantastic views over the city.

As I've represented so many cyclists who've been significantly injured as a result of unsafe drivers and road defects, I have a special interest in road safety and have presented on these topics at road safety conferences.

Read more about Stuart here.

Richard Crabtree

Richard Crabtree

Richard is a principal lawyer based in Manchester. He's highly experienced in representing cyclists who've suffered serious injuries, having qualified as a solicitor in 1993. His specific area of specialism is representing those who've suffered brain injury and is highly commended in this area. He's currently the coordinator of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL's) Brain Injury Special Interest Group.

Richard, what does cycling mean to you?

I've been a road cyclist for about nine years and have competed in triathlons both at Sprint Distance and at Half Iron Man (70.3). I'm a member of a local triathlon club based in Bolton, Tri Rivington, and go on training rides with them as well as using a smart trainer and Zwift in the winter when the weather is poor.

I am also part of a large group of friends who regularly cycle on Sundays. We also go on an annual trip abroad to Majorca in late April/early May and Spain in November. The group comprises all ages and levels of fitness with the youngest member being aged 35 and the oldest 72. I enjoy riding with the group as we're all friends who enjoy cycling and the company.

I have brought a number of claims for cyclists, cycling organisations and cycling insurers over my career. I also have personal experience of being knocked off my bike by a car. In that case I fractured my elbow and brought a successful claim against the driver.

I enjoy being a middle aged man in lycra ('MAMIL'). A badge I wear with pride!

Read more about Richard here.

Kate Nicklin

Expert profile - Kate Nicklin

Kate is a senior associate solicitor based Newcastle. She's been representing clients who've sustained life-changing injuries as a result of cycling incidents since she qualified as a solicitor in 2008 and is highly specialised in this area of law. She's highly commended in independent legal guides, Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 and is known for getting her clients the best possible outcome to their claims.

Kate, what does cycling mean to you?

I’m a keen leisure cyclist and have engaged in a number of charity bike rides to raise vital funds for important charities. I have completed the Coast to Coast in two days for Canine Partners, have participated in a Kielder bike ride, and, on several occasions, have participated in the Great North Bike Ride for the Chris Lucas Trust.

I have represented many clients who, as cyclists, have sustained serious and life changing injuries including severe brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. I understand the importance of early rehabilitation in improving outcomes, assisting in putting in bespoke multidisciplinary programmes of rehabilitation and future proofing claims to ensure that their lifelong and complex needs are met.

Read more about Kate here.

Andrew Owen

Expert profile of Andrew Owen

Andrew is a principal lawyer who heads up the serious injury team in Cardiff. He's been qualified as a solicitor for over three decades and has a vast amount of experience in this area of law. His specialist area of expertise is representing those who've suffered serious injuries in road traffic collisions including cyclists.

Andrew, what does cycling mean to you?

I am a regular cyclist myself and cycle to work every day. This gives me some insight into the issues cyclists face on the roads which I believe gives me additional empathy when representing them in accident cases.

Read more about Andrew here.

Michael Knott

Expert profile of Michael Knott

Michael is a senior practice director with over 30 years' experience as a solicitor in private client practices such as wills, tax, trusts and probate and the Court of Protection. He has a vast amount of experience of acting as Professional Deputy for the health, welfare and financial safeguarding of cyclists who've suffered serious brain injuries, and is highly commended in this area of law.

Michael, what does cycling mean to you?

To me, cycling is:

  • Being outside: exploring my own area and new space everywhere beyond
  • Exercising: keeping my body and mind fit and healthy as part of a multi-dimensional exercise regime
  • Eco-friendly: not having to take my car on every trip and playing my small part in saving the plane
  • Cost-effective: not having to pay to fuel or park my car when the trip can be done by bike
  • Social: an opportunity to be out with family and like minded cake eating friends
  • Solitude: being on my own with my own thoughts
  • Opportunity: you can never have enough bikes or kit…

Read more about Michael here.

For more information about cycling incidents

Visit our cycling incidents page

Tracey's story

Tracey was returning home from a cycle and when she was only 10 minutes from her house, a car collided with her, causing multiple injuries, including a fractured spine, broken pelvis, and a smashed elbow. She was in a coma for a week and had to spend six weeks in hospital. Here's how we were able to help her.

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