Last updated · General information, not legal advice
Overview
Cycling accidents involving a motor vehicle are, unfortunately, one of the more heavily disputed types of CTP claim — not because cyclists are usually at fault, but because the driver's account and the rider's account often differ. If a car hit you while you were riding, you can generally make a claim regardless of who's initially blamed for it, but the specific circumstances — lane position, signals, right of way, whether a door was opened into your path — matter more here than in most other claim types.
Key points
- Dooring and vehicles crossing a bike lane are generally treated as driver fault
- The specific road rules that applied at the time are central to any fault dispute
- Statutory benefits are usually still available while fault is being worked out
- Helmet use can factor into a damages assessment without ruling out a claim
- Photos, CCTV and witness details are the evidence these disputes typically turn on
Your situation
Work out where you stand
How we help
A free claim check helps you understand how the specific circumstances of your accident are likely to be assessed for fault, and what evidence would strengthen your position. Where the driver or insurer is disputing fault, or your injuries are significant, we'll connect you with an independent lawyer who specifically handles cycling accident claims. Alongside the fault question, getting the right doctor and allied health team for your specific injuries matters just as much for your recovery. See doctors and allied health for CTP claims for help finding providers.
What this means
Fault assessment in cycling accidents follows the same road rules as any other vehicle interaction: a car turning across a bike lane, overtaking too closely, or opening a door into your path is generally treated as the driver's fault, not yours. Where fault is genuinely shared or disputed, statutory benefits are usually still available while it's worked out, and common law damages remain on the table provided you weren't found mostly at fault and your injury is more than a threshold injury. Photos of the scene, any available CCTV or dashcam, and witness details are typically what resolve these disputes.
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules depend on your accident date and circumstances, and they change — check the current scheme rules with SIRA and get advice about your own situation.
