Motorbike Accident Claims

Anyone who takes a motorcycle out on the road is at higher risk as motorcyclists are more likely to be seriously injured in accidents than those in cars.

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Making a motorbike accident claim

Motorcyclists and scooter riders are some of the most vulnerable users of UK roads. The Department for Transport (DfT) found that in 2023, 16,756 bikers were injured in accidents, while 306 were killed.

If you have been hurt in a road traffic accident on your bike or scooter that was caused by someone else, you could be able to make a claim for compensation.

Common types of motorcycle accident

Motorcycle accidents typically fall into two categories: lowside and highside accidents.

Lowside accidents happen when the wheels of the bike slide from underneath you while you’re cornering. It means that the bike ends up on the same side as the direction you were cornering. These injuries are usually less severe than those caused by highside accidents.

A highside accident can be caused by wheels suddenly regaining grip after losing it, as well as the bike’s chain coming off, resulting in you being thrown over the handlebars. These accidents can happen very quickly and can cause severe injuries.

Motorcyclists can also often be difficult for car and other vehicle drivers to see. This can result in many kinds of accidents, including:

  • Being hit by a car at a roundabout
  • Cars turning into the biker’s path
  • Cars swerving into the biker’s lane
  • Cars emerging from side roads

Motorcyclists and scooter riders are advised to wear protective gear, including helmets, jackets and boots. But these can’t protect against all accidents and injuries. When accidents happen on two wheels, they can result in severe injuries. These include:

Who is responsible for a motorcycle accident?

In many cases, a motorcycle accident will involve another road user. When this is a car or other vehicle driver, motorcyclists are more vulnerable. If the accident was caused by the other motorist’s negligence, they could be held responsible. It will be their insurer who pays the compensation, so you won’t be claiming directly against the motorist responsible.

If you were injured in an accident that was caused by another road user, you could be able to make a claim for compensation.

This is even true in the case of a hit and run accident. If you were hit by a car or other vehicle and didn’t manage to get their details, you could still be able to make a claim. The Motor Insurers' Bureau covers compensation for road users hit by unidentified drivers.

Not all accidents are caused by other drivers, though. Many are the result of road surface conditions. If your accident was caused by a problem with the road surface, such as a pothole, you could be able to make a claim against the organisation responsible for maintaining the roads – usually the local council or Highways England.

Meanwhile, a defect in your bike could also cause injury. If you were hurt in an accident caused by a problem with your motorbike, you could be able to claim against the manufacturer.

How much motorcycle accident compensation will I receive?

Motorbike accidents can cause a huge variety of injuries, from slight to very severe. This means it is difficult to say exactly what you might be entitled to in compensation without an initial consultation. To speak to our team of friendly and understanding claims advisors, just give us a free call or request a call back at a convenient time.

For a successful claim, compensation will be split into two parts. These are general damages and special damages.

General damages compensate you for the pain and suffering you’ve experienced as a result of your accident. They aim to compensate for any effect the injury has had on your quality of life.

Special damages reimburse you for any impact the accident has had on your finances. This includes covering any loss of earnings if you’ve been unable to work, any medical expenses, any travel to and from medical appointments and any damaged property – such as your bike or gear.

For a rough idea of what you might be entitled for a motorcycling injury, visit our compensation calculator.

How long do I have to make a motorbike accident claim?

In most cases, you’ll have three years to make a claim after a motorbike or scooter accident. But there are some exceptions, so it’s worth speaking to First4Lawyers about whether you’re able to make a claim.

For example, if you’re claiming on behalf of someone who lacks the capacity to claim for themselves, you won’t face a deadline. Meanwhile, anyone who suffered a motorcycle accident while they were under 18 will be able to start a claim until their 21st birthday.

How can First4Lawyers help?

If you think you have a claim for a motorcycle accident, First4Lawyers can help you work out what the best course of action for you is, based on your individual circumstances. Our award-winning team will talk you through what happened for free.

When you do have a valid claim, we will match you to an expert motorcycle accident lawyer. They will then take over the management of your case, ensuring you have the best professional help during a difficult time.

We work with specialist personal injury solicitors who will work to put together the strongest case possible in order to secure you the maximum compensation you’re entitled to. They work on a No Win No Fee basis, which means there is no upfront cost and no financial risk if your claim is unsuccessful.

Where we offer No Win No Fee services for road traffic accident claims typically customers pay 35% + VAT of the amount recovered by our solicitors.

Success fees are common practice and they were introduced when the law changed in April 2013. This amount is higher than the normal 25% on all other personal injury claims because of changes introduced through the Civil Liability Act 2018.

Your solicitor will arrange for a medical assessment, which will show how severely your injury has affected you. They may also be able to arrange for you to receive medical treatment, such as physiotherapy, if you need it.

To start the claims process, just give us a call, request a call back or start your claim online and we’ll take it from there.

Our customer stories

We've helped thousands of people claim compensation for injuries that weren't their fault. Just some of them include:

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  • In these cases brain damage, if any, will be minimal.
  • Where a good recovery has been made but symptoms such as poor concentration and memory problems continue.
  • Where ability to work is reduced and there is a risk of epilepsy.
  • The injured person is very seriously disabled and is dependent on others.
  • Epilepsy has been caused as a consequence of the injury.
  • Affecting the ability to cope with life and/or work or affecting relationships with family and friends.
  • The injured person largely recovers within two years.
  • Injury causes effects that cause significant disability for the foreseeable future, or permanently.
  • In consequence of defective permanent waving etc. where effects are dermatitis or hair loss leading to distress and effects on social life.
  • Where hair has been pulled out leaving bald patches, or stress-induced alopecia with full recovery within two years.
  • Resulting in pain and temporary interference with vision.
  • Permanent impairment of vision in one or both eyes.
  • Total loss of sight in one eye and reduced vision or other problems with the other eye
  • Total loss of sight in one eye only.
  • Mild tinnitus with some hearing loss
  • With noise induced hearing loss, or moderate to severe tinnitus, or noise induced hearing loss alone.
  • With noise induced hearing loss
  • With or without associated problems such as tinnitus, dizziness or headaches.
  • With or without the speech being affected, or tinnitus.
  • Full recovery with no surgery required.
  • Where recovery is complete after surgery
  • Injuries requiring a number of operations and/or resulting in permanent damage.
  • Simple fracture of the cheekbone, which will fully recover without surgery.
  • Simple fracture of the cheekbone requiring some reconstructive surgery, but with full recovery and little or no cosmetic effects.
  • Serious fractures causing lasting effects such as burning/prickling sensation or an element of disfigurement.
  • Requiring immobilisation but recovery is complete.
  • Serious injury causing permanent damage, such as difficulty eating or opening the mouth.
  • Very serious multiple fractures requiring prolonged treatment. Permanent effects such as severe pain, restricted eating.
  • Assessed per tooth.
  • Single tooth only.
  • Extends over a number of years, including significant deterioration of overall condition of the teeth.
  • Where full recovery takes place between nine months and one year.
  • Fractures or dislocations which cause severe immediate symptoms and chronic conditions, leading to impaired function or limitation of activities.
  • Injuries usually involving serious fractures or disc damage leading to disability, such as substantial loss of movement or loss of function in one or more limbs.
  • Caused by asbestos
  • Varying levels of respiratory disability and reduced lung function (1-10% and in excess of 10%)
  • Severe pain and impairment of the pleura (lung lining) or the peritoneum (lining of the abdominal cavity), affecting function and quality of life.
  • Causing respiratory disability attributed to asbestos exposure.
  • Causing permanent damage, impairment of function, physical disability and reduction of life expectancy.
  • Such as soft tissue damage causing considerable pain but recovery almost complete within two years.
  • Such as frozen shoulder causing limitation of movement and discomfort for up to two years.
  • Causing pain in shoulder and neck, aching in elbow, weakness of arm and hand.
  • Involving damage to the brachial plexus and resulting in significant disability.
  • Temporary or permanent disability as a result of a fracture.
  • Such as strains, sprains, disc prolapses and soft tissue injuries.
  • Such as disturbances of ligaments and muscles causing backache, or compression fracture.
  • Injuries causing severe pain and disability, including impaired bladder, bowel and sexual function.
  • Resulting in significant or permanent disability
  • Most elbow injuries such as simple fractures, laceration and tennis elbow, not resulting in permanent damage or impairment.
  • Injuries causing impairment of function but not involving major surgery or significant disabilty
  • Injuries such as deep lacerations, soft tissue wounds or crush injuries, all recovering within six months.
  • Resulting in impairment of grip or reduced mechanical function. Partial amputations resulting in deformity.
  • Injuries such as a thumb being severed and re-attached, leaving it with little use, amputation of the tip or at the joint of the thumb. Nerve damage or fracture resulting in impaired grip or dexterity.
  • Amputation resulting in very little use and weak grip.
  • Amputation due to crush injuries, or loss of a significant part of the hand due to traumatic injury.
  • Serious injury resulting in extensive damage to both hands, effectively leaving them with little use.
  • Caused by repeated vibration, damage to hands including impaired grip, dexterity and frequent pain.
  • Such as an uncomplicated fracture with full or virtual recovery.
  • Injuries resulting in significant permanent disability, but some useful movement remains.
  • Injuries causing some permanent disability, such as persistent pain and stiffness.
  • Resulting in complete loss of function in the wrist, for example when an arthrodesis has been performed.
  • Such as a broken femur, tibia or fibular
  • Serious fracture or injuries to joints or ligaments, scarring, instability and lengthy treatment required.
  • Fractures where a full recovery is not made.
  • Loss of a leg below the knee
  • Loss of a leg above the knee
  • Both legs being lost above the knee, below the knee, or where one leg has been lost above the knee and the other below.
  • Torn cartilage or meniscus, laceration, twisting and bruising. May be full recovery, or continued aches and pains.
  • Injury or damage causing mild disability or continuing pain, discomfort or limited movement that may require future surgery.
  • Fractures, joint or ligament damage causing constant pain, impairing movement and agility. Requiring prolonged treatment, the injured person will be prone to osteoarthritis.
  • Including fractures where there is full recovery within two years.
  • Significant injury but any permanent disability is not major. Injury may require a hip replacement.
  • Such as extensive fractures resulting in substantial disabilities.
  • Simple metatarsal fractures, ruptured ligaments.
  • Displaced metatarsal fractures resulting in permanent deformity.
  • Fractures to feet resulting in restricted mobility and /or considerable continuing pain.
  • Crush or multiple fractures to two or more toes, resulting in permanent disability.
  • Undisplaced fractures, sprains and ligament injuries.
  • For fractures and ligament tears resulting in moderate disability, such as difficulty walking on uneven ground or on stairs.
  • Injuries involving long periods of treatment, long period in plaster and some permanent disability.

Simply fill in our form below and we’ll call you back at a time to suit you.

Or talk to our team on:
0808 271 6198

There are other types of compensation you could be awarded through your accident such as loss of earnings or damage to property. The estimates given here are simply for your personal injury claim.

First4Lawyers' solicitors will be able to give you the best idea of the amount you should expect from your individual injury.

It is important to keep in mind that every case is different and the advice and estimates you'll be given, once your case has started, will be tailored specifically for your case.

Why choose First4Lawyers?

Whether you want to make an accident and injury claim, or need a solicitor for personal or business law matters - our friendly team are here to help, 24/7.

Free initial consultation

Our fully trained legal advisors are happy to offer initial guidance and advice for free

No Win No Fee*

No Win No Fee solicitors - you don't pay a penny up front when making a claim

No pressure

We offer advice with no obligation.  We never cold-call or apply pressure to our customers

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