If you are a motorcyclist and have been injured following an accident with another motorist, Sheldon Davidson Solicitors can help you.

Some of the most serious road accidents in the UK involve motorcycles and frequently result in life-threatening or even fatal injuries. The government says that motorcyclists are 38 times more likely to be killed in a road accident than car drivers or passengers.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorbike accident and you believe the accident was the result of someone else’s fault or negligence then you may be entitled to claim financial compensation.

Our expert Road Traffic Accident Solicitors have extensive knowledge and experience, and have an excellent track record of success with motorbike accident claims.

After an initial consultation we'll be able to tell you with a high degree of certainty whether there is a case to be answered; if there is we will fight tirelessly to ensure that you get the best possible rehabilitation and the appropriate level of compensation.

What can I make a claim for?

Our primary concern, following a motorcycle accident, is to ensure that you swiftly receive the medical care that you need, followed by thorough rehabilitation treatment for as long as is necessary.

The injuries sustained by motorcyclists in a road traffic accident range from relatively minor to life changing and catastrophic, so making a claim allows bikers to be compensated for all the losses sustained, from personal injuries, damage to their motorbike, property and protective gear, loss of earnings, and any other financial losses that have been occurred to date, and those that may continue into the future.

Medical care and expenses

The recovery process for motorcyclists can often be longer than that of car drivers, given the lack of protection a motorcyclist has in the event of a crash or a collision with another vehicle. Serious injuries cause not only extreme physical damage and suffering but can also prevent victims from getting back to work.

Our motorcycle accident solicitors liaise with medical experts while working on your claim, in order to make sure that the extent of your injuries is explicitly stated. It is not unusual for victims of motorbike accidents to suffer psychologically afterwards with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can be incredibly debilitating if not recognised and treated correctly. We will make sure that you have access to any medical treatment and rehabilitation that you need in order to give you the best chance of recovery available.

Financial losses

Loss of earnings is a huge factor to consider when making a claim for financial compensation. If as a result of the incident, you have been unable to work and have suffered financially, we will factor this loss into your claim for recompense. Our motorcycle accident solicitors will run through a schedule of losses with you, so that we can put together a clear picture of every cost incurred, in order to claim it back from the other party’s insurance.

You will also be able to claim for:

ongoing medical, rehabilitation or care costs as a result of long-term injuries caused by the accident
travelling expenses for journeys to and from medical appointments
damage to your motorcycle, clothing and any other personal possessions damaged in the accident
any modifications that need to be made to your home to help with any mobility issues
mobility aids.

Vehicle repair and replacement

As motorbikes are much smaller than cars, vans and lorries, it is not uncommon for them to be badly damaged in a collision. Sheldon Davidson Solicitors can arrange for your repairs and can provide you with a like-for-like replacement in the meantime, which should enable you to carry on as normal.

How do I make a claim?

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident that wasn’t your fault, contact us today for a free initial consultation. One of our legal experts will assess your case, and if we think that your claim stands a strong chance of being successful, we will guide you through the process, answering any questions that you may have.

We will then get to work on your case; the first thing that we will do is arrange for a medical assessment of your injuries, identifying any treatment or rehabilitation that you might need for your recovery. We’ll then make sure you have access to the best care available as part of your claim, and the information from this assessment will form the basis of your case.

When we have an idea as to the value of your claim, we will begin to negotiate on your behalf, keeping you fully informed as the case progresses.

How long will it take to claim?

When making a claim for injuries caused in a motorcycle accident, the time that it takes to settle largely depends on the nature and extent of the injuries caused. It is necessary to wait until the medical prognosis is clear, and that there is a full understanding of the consequences of the accident before a claim can be settled, to ensure that the right amount of compensation is claimed.

However, because of the nature of bike accidents and the tendency for the injuries caused to be serious, recovery, and therefore settlement can often take several years.

In less severe cases, claims are often settled in a much shorter timeframe, often in under 6 months. We are often able to secure interim payments to ensure that you are not left struggling while waiting for your claim to settle; one of our legal team will be able to give you more specific advice regarding to your particular case.

Are there time limits on making a motorcycle accident claim?

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident that wasn’t your fault, you have up to three years to make a claim for compensation. There are some very limited circumstances under which the three-year limit might not apply, for example, if you were under the age of 18 when the accident occurred, but it is best to speak to us as soon as possible if you have any concerns about time limits.

You may even be able to make a claim if the accident was partially your fault – get in touch and we will be able to advise you as to whether your claim is valid, and will answer any other questions that you may have about claiming compensation.

Why motorcyclists are vulnerable road users

Motorcyclists are classed as “vulnerable road users”, as they lack the protection on the road that others travelling inside vehicles have. There are no seatbelts, airbags, headrests, or protective vehicle shell protecting a motorcyclist, so in the event of a road traffic accident, motorcyclists often come off far worse than other road users.

The injuries that bikers can suffer are often serious, and frequently life-changing; they suffer higher rates of injuries and fatalities that are disproportionate to any other group of road users.

How common are motorbike accidents?

Despite the number of motorcyclists being fatally and seriously injured each year falling by 76% between 1979 and 2013, Motorcyclists still have the highest accident and injury rates per mile travelled of all road user groups.

Sadly, every day sees an average of 30 motorcyclists sustain a fatal or serious, life-changing injury in an accident on their motorbike.

The Department for Transport reports there were 349 reported road fatalities by motorbike users in 2017. When comparing these figures to the equivalent figures for car drivers, motorcyclists are at least 57 times more likely to be killed in a road traffic accident than someone driving a car.

Despite only accounting for less than 1% of all road traffic, a shocking 19% of deaths on the UK’s roads involved motorcyclists. 86% of those killed were males, over a third of which were aged under 25.

Fatal accidents tend to happen late at night when motorcyclists are less visible and often occur on rural roads (68%) where there are a greater number of corners but in reality, motorcyclists can be involved in road accidents at any time and on any stretch of road.

Similarly, casualty figures for 2017 suggest motorbike riders are also 25 times more likely to sustain a serious injury than those in a car.

Unfortunately, whilst we are unable to stop motorbike accidents from occurring, Sheldon Davidson Solicitors can support you in making a claim for your injuries.

Causes of motorcycle accidents

Accidents caused by other road users

Due to the increased vulnerability of motorcyclists, other road users have a duty of care to make sure that they drive with awareness and consideration of them. Despite this, too many accidents are caused by other drivers making errors of judgement and failing to protect bikers by their actions.

Time and again we see incidents where drivers:

fail to register a motorcyclist in their blind spot
pull out in front of bikers, or turn into their path, either because they haven’t seen them, or have misjudged the speed they are travelling at
fail to give bikers enough space to manoeuvre.

We’ve also seen accidents caused by pedestrians stepping out into the road without looking, meaning that a motorcyclist has had to take evasive action to avoid them, resulting in a collision.

Accidents caused by unsafe roads

Not all bike accidents are caused by other road users – unsafe or poorly maintained road surface represent a particular risk to motorcyclists.

Unexpected road defects, such as potholes, faulty iron work, cracked or uneven surfaces, or spillages on the road are hazardous to bikers, and if you have had an accident due to a poorly maintained road surface, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.

Highways England and local councils are responsible for keeping roads in a good state of repair, and if they fail in their duty of care to keep roads safe, they may be liable to pay compensation.

Hit and run motorcycle accidents

Drivers are required by law to stop after an accident to identify themselves, and morally speaking they have an obligation to make sure that no one has been injured, and that the incident is reported to the authorities if necessary.

Sadly, however, not all road users have this integrity, and hit and run accidents are depressingly common, with roughly around 12% of accidents involving a hit and run driver.

Whilst not being able to trace the driver presents some challenges, it is still possible to make a claim for compensation in the event of a hit and run accident.

The Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) deals with claims where the other driver is untraceable, and also in accidents with uninsured drivers. If you have been injured by a hit and run driver, we can help you to make a claim with the MIB – speak to us for information about how a claim works under these circumstances.

Common injuries following a motorcycle accident

Due to the innate vulnerability of bikers, over a third of bike accidents cause serious injury to motorcyclists and their passengers and can leave victims with traumatic injuries.

Bike accidents are sometimes categorised as “high side” or “low side”, both resulting in different types of injury.

A low side accident occurs when the rear tyre of a motorbike loses grip and slips.

High side accidents are usually high speed, violent accidents, resulting in the motorcyclist being flipped off their bike or thrown over the handlebars.

In both instances, injuries can be extremely painful and debilitating, and often leave bikers and pillion passengers with serious injuries and even life-threatening injuries.

Elbow & Shoulder Injuries

Elbow and shoulder injuries are common in motorcycle accidents, as this area will often take the brunt of the impact of a crash. Injuries can cause sprains, bruising, dislocation and broken bones, and rehabilitation can take a long time.

Skin injuries

Even though bikers wear protective leathers, skin injuries such as lacerations, grazes and road rash frequently occur in bike accidents. Road rash occurs when the skin is scraped off by the road surface and can be incredibly painful, especially when deep, as it can cause damage to nerve cells. Skin injuries are also prone to infection and can be difficult to treat.

Hip injuries

Hip injuries can occur in bike accidents and are often extremely serious, with repercussions on mobility and health long term. Some hip injuries may require a hip replacement operation.

Back injuries

Back injuries can be extremely worrying following a motorcycle accident but are sadly common when a rider has been thrown at speed from a motorbike.

Limb injuries

Limb injuries, affecting arms and legs are common following a bike accident. They can range in severity from broken bones, sprains or crush injuries, to amputation in the worst cases.

Head Injuries

Despite wearing protective helmets, bikers are at risk of head injuries in a motorcycle accident. These are usually the most dangerous type of injury, resulting in facial damage, and the risk of brain damage and long-term disability.

Paraplegia or Quadriplegia

Very serious motorcycle accidents can result in serious back, neck or spinal injuries. Where these injuries leave a victim paralysed, fully or partially, the impact will be life-altering. If you have suffered from paraplegia or quadriplegia as the result of a motorcycle accident, you will need extensive and ongoing support.

The extent of your injuries and long-term prognosis will influence the amount of compensation that you are able to claim. It can be difficult to give an exact figure, as the value of your injury will depend on your personal situation, but for a more personalised estimation, speak to one of our personal injury team.

Our legal specialists will do everything that they can to ensure that you have the strongest possible chance of a successful personal injury claim, making sure that you are fully provided for, both now and in the future.

Can I make a claim on behalf of someone else?

If for whatever reason, a victim of a motorcycle accident is unable to make their own claim, it may be possible to make a personal injury claim on their behalf.

If you are a family member of the victim and want to make a claim on their behalf, we can advise you on what the next steps are and how to proceed.

We understand that this will be an incredibly upsetting time for you, and we are here to help you through it.

Fatal motorbike accidents

We know that as a result of their increased vulnerability on the road, motorcyclists are more likely to be fatally injured than other road users. If you have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, we know that life will never be the same again, and money can in no way begin to atone for your loss.

However, you may find yourself struggling with funeral expenses, and wondering how you will cope with living expenses and supporting any dependents left behind.

We want to support you in claiming the recompense that you need at this time, and we will endeavour to take as much of the burden of this away from you. Speak to one of our legal team today – our initial consultation is free and comes with no obligation.

Why choose Sheldon Davidson Solicitors?

To make a claim for your motorbike accident, contact Sheldon Davidson Solicitors today. Our team help bikers who have been injured in motorcycle accidents to obtain the compensation they deserve, and we are ready to help you.

We know that riding a motorcycle is very different to driving a car, and we have many years of experience representing clients involved in bike accidents. We understand that accidents involving motorbikes have a higher risk of being serious, potentially life-changing and tragically, often fatal, and we will do everything within our power to ensure that you get the support that you need.

Our experienced RTA Injury Claim Solicitors act regularly for clients across Greater Manchester including Ashton, Bury, Bolton, Radcliffe, Prestwich, Middleton, Failsworth, Rochdale, Oldham, and Whitefield.

Sheldon Davidson Solicitors are a Lexcel accredited law firm. The Lexcel standard is only awarded by the Law Society to firms who meet the highest standards of practice management and customer service.

With Sheldon Davidson's Personal Injury Solicitors in Manchester, you can be confident that your claim is in safe hands.

Call us for free now using the number at the top of the page or complete the online contact form and a member of our team will get back to you.