We ride so we understand
FREE advice for all cyclists without any obligation to instruct us. Please call our cycling solicitor on 01484 518356, email or Whatsapp. We are specialist cycling accident solicitors. Our fully qualified solicitor that specialises in bike claims is Tom Howarth.
You can read about Tom’s legal qualifications here. He has been a cyclist far longer than he has been a Solicitor. Tom is interested in all disciplines of riding. He is a keen road cyclist and enjoys training for and riding in Sportives. His most memorable rides include the 2009 L’Etape du Tour which finished on the summit of the iconic Mont Ventoux together with completing La Marmotte which finishes after the famous 21 hairpins of Alpe d’huez.
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Tom loves to ride mountain bikes and regularly travels to France to ride downhill. He particularly enjoys the uplift! He has ridden extensively in Morzine and ridden the Megavalanche. Cross country mountain bike is his passion and especially riding single speed with a rigid fork. He loves to to undertake bike packing tours especially in Scotland.He also rides and races Cyclo-cross bikes or “Gravel bikes” as they are now called. Tom has suffered through the famous 3-Peaks CX race on a few occasions. The photographs show Tom’s beloved Cannondale Supersix Evo, Niner EMD and Niner RLT.
More than a cyclist and a cycling accident solicitor!
Tom is a British Cycling qualified cycling instructor and has taught hundreds of children to ride and race through Balance bike sessions and British Cycling Go-ride sessions. He has taught adults to ride and coached adult cyclists to improve their road riding skills and confidence on the road. He was a Sky Ride Leader with British Cycling and led numerous group road rides. He has worked as a Mountain bike instructor at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester where he taught people of all ages the skills necessary to ride on technical terrain. He is a British Cycling qualified Level 2 Mountain bike guide and has led numerous group rides in the most difficult off road remote terrain. He has led youth groups including schools on off-road mountain bike rides.
Tom is also a fully qualified cycle mechanic and is knowledgeable in all areas of cycle building, repair and maintenance. He is perfectly positioned to fully understand damage inflicted to a bike and is knowledgeable as to the needs of repair or replacement.
Why you need a specialist cycling accident solicitor.
Due to the difference in size and speed between a bike and a motor vehicle when the 2 collide it is always the cyclist that comes off worse. Motorists often have the opinion that the cyclist is to blame for the accident due to the way that they were riding. It is usually many years since these motorists have ridden a bike, especially on the road in modern traffic. They do not appreciate that a certain amount of assertiveness is required by a cyclist in order to stay safe on the road.
Following an accident you may need a solicitor to present your view as to why the incident occurred and to recover compensation for any injuries and losses that you have suffered. A solicitor who is also a regular cyclist will find it much easier to understand your explanation as to what you did and why. They will understand the specific concerns of a cyclist in those traffic conditions and the steps a cyclist takes to protect themselves. They will understand and sympathise with a cyclist in way that is simply not possible for a solicitor that is solely a motorist. You need a specialist cycling accident solicitor.
Non-cyclists simply do not appreciate the costs involved in cycling. They fail to understand that a rider’s bike is their pride and joy. After an accident a cyclist jumps up and checks his bike before realising how badly injured he is! Insurance companies think that all bikes are the same and can be bought for £50.00. They fail to appreciate the expense and benefit of a one piece carbon fibre frame or the beauty of a hand made Reynolds 531 frameset. Wheels can get rather expensive! A Solicitor who is a cyclist will understand the value of a bike and it’s components. Often very expensive carbon frames need to be replaced after relatively minor accidents.
The cost of all the equipment required for cycling is a great surprise to non-cyclists. After an accident a helmet requires replacement, even if apparently undamaged. A cyclists clothing, shoes, bag and other items are damaged in accidents. The value of damaged items are nearly always disputed by insurance companies. A solicitor that cycles understands the importance and cost of these items. They are able to help calculate the losses and know how to collate the required evidence to enable recovery upon a new for old basis.
Uniquely qualified to assist with cycle accidents.
Tom Howarth is a cycling accident solicitor. If you have been injured in an accident whilst a cyclist you will benefit from instructing a solicitor who understands cycling. Nobody understands cycling better than our specialist cycling solicitor, Tom Howarth. You can discuss your claim with him for free and without obligation. You can call him on 01484 518356, email or complete our contact form. If you are local to Huddersfield, you can call into our town centre office.