Motorcycle accident solicitors
Travelling by motorbike is hugely popular - over 1.2 million people in the UK choose to ride. Whether it's to work, for work or just for pleasure, it's a convenient, affordable and easy way to get around.
However, we all know that motorcyclists are uniquely vulnerable on the road. From poor surfaces and bad weather to careless driving by other road users, rider error or even faulty equipment, the combination of speed and hard tarmac can often cause serious and sometimes life-changing injuries. According to the figures from the Department for Transport, over 16,750 motorcyclists were injured on UK roads in 2018.
If you've suffered personal injury in a motorcycle accident and it wasn't your fault, we may be able to help you claim the compensation that helps your recovery and starts getting things back to normal.
At National Accident Law, we understand that post-accident recuperation isn't just physical. It's about your life, family and relationships too. You may have experienced psychological trauma, lost earnings or faced a range of other financial expenses caused directly by the accident.
Contact us today on or request a call back and share your experience, your way and in your own time. Our friendly, expert legal team will be able to investigate what happened, check your eligibility and handle your motorcycle accident claim if you want to go ahead.
Who are eligible to make motorcycle accident claims?
They key to making a successful claim for motorcycle accident compensation means we must be able to show clear evidence that your incident was caused by someone else. This could be down to many things, such as reckless driving, a damaged road surface or even a manufacturer's design defect with your machine.
If your injury was caused by any of the following, talk to us about making a motorcycle accident claim:
- Motorcycle accident caused by another road user: this is careless, reckless or dangerous driving by another road user. For instance, if someone pulled out on you at a junction or collided with you and knocked you off your bike.
- Motorcycle accident due to inadequate road conditions: if poor road conditions caused your accident, such as potholes, faulty lighting or uneven surfaces, you may be able to claim for motorcycle injury compensation.
- Motorcycle accident due to equipment failure: you may be able to claim if you were injured due to defective equipment such as a faulty helmet, design defect or avoidable mechanical failure.
Meet the team
Kelly Affronti
Legal & Compliance Manager
An experienced legal operations manager, Kelly ensures we deliver the level of clear, effective service our customers expect to receive.
View profileMeet the teamWhat's the average pay-out for a motorcycle accident?
What's the average pay-out for a motorcycle accident?
It's a common question our customers ask. Motorcycle accident compensation in a successful claim varies as it depends on the injuries sustained and circumstances of the case.. It's only after we've established all the facts and begun negotiating with the other side's insurers that we'll have an accurate idea.
One of our specialist legal advisors will calculate how much motorcycle injury compensation you may be entitled to by looking at several things.
- We'll assess the severity of your injuries and how they've affected your life in both the short and long term.
- We'll also look at the financial impact the accident has had, for instance if you have lost income or had to take time off work.
- We'll also look at how the accident has affected your home and social life, as well as any impacts on your mental health.
The Judicial College, part of the Ministry of Justice, sets the ranges of compensation for all different categories of personal injury. Below we've listed injuries often seen in a motorbiking accident, and the range of general damages provided by law - from minor injuries to the extremely severe. We'll use these to help us gauge your compensation as we build your case.
Injury type | Compensation range |
Facial injury | £1,460 - £344,640 |
Head injury | £1,880 - £344,460 |
Severe neck injury | £38,800 - £126,550 |
Moderate brain damage | £36,740 - £186,890 |
Paraplegia | £186,890 - £242,490 |
Moderate shoulder injury | £6,730 - £10,890 |
Severe back injury with spinal cord damage | £77,700 - £137,330 |
Hip or pelvis injury | £3,370 - £111,690 |
Fractured forearms | £5,630 - £16,380 |
Fractured thigh bone (femur) | £7,780 - £12,010 |
How do the police categorise road and motorcycle accident injuries?
How do the police categorise road and motorcycle accident injuries?
Most constabularies around the country split road traffic accident injuries into five types. The most serious is for fatalities. The remaining four are:
- Very Serious - broken neck or spine, head and brain injury, limb loss, chest or crush injury with unconsciousness or breathing difficulty. Includes all internal injuries and multiple severe injuries that include blacking out or a loss of consciousness.
- Moderately Serious - deeply penetrative wounds, chest injuries, partial loss of a limb plus thigh or pelvis fractures that can cause severe internal bleeding.
- Less Serious - minor head wounds; deep cuts; and collarbone, leg arm or other extremity fractures.
- Slight - soft tissue sprains and strains, bruising, shock and minor cuts or grazes.
Motorcyclists and pillion passengers are vulnerable to injuries not usually suffered by the drivers of cars or other vehicles. They are particularly exposed to accidents at junctions where a vehicle pulls out and hits them.
Lowside accidents
A ‘lowsider' is when the rear tyre loses traction and slides out, usually midway through a corner or while manoeuvring suddenly.
- The bike falls over and drops the rider on to the road on either their back or front. This can cause serious ‘road rash', soft tissue injuries and breaks.
- Road rash is deep and serious grazing and road dirt can cause difficult-to-treat infections.
Highside accidents
In a ‘highsider', the rider goes over the handlebars or is flicked off the side of the machine suddenly.
- They can happen when the rear tyre abruptly regains grip after a low skid, jolting the bike upright with immense force.
- This can leave riders or pillions with serious head and arm injuries.
Frequently asked questions...
Determining who was at fault will depend on where your accident happened. For example, accidents at work would be the fault of your employer; accidents on the road might be the fault of another driver, and accidents in public spaces would be the responsibility of the local council.
Once you have discussed the details of your case with one of our lawyers, they will be able to help you determine who was at fault for your accident.
Every claim we handle is different and that makes it hard for us to say how long your compensation claim might take. However, the bulk of the claims we handle are relatively short in duration.
In simpler cases where fault is clear and undeniable, the claim may be settled quickly, and even disputed claims can be negotiated to a settlement in approximately 12 months.
However, if you've suffered a serious or life-changing injury then your compensation claim may take longer. This is because we need to understand its full impact and make sure your future rehab or treatment costs are adequately covered.
You can rest assured that we will stay in touch with you throughout the process so that you'll always know how things are progressing.
Once in Court, the specialist lawyer or barrister we appoint to represent you will take care of all the legal business. However, the Judge will need you to run through the details of your claim to assess the impact of the incident on your life. The other side's barrister may also want to ask your questions. We'll prepare you fully so you're comfortable and confident.
Can I make a motorcycle accident personal injury claim on someone else's behalf?
Can I make a motorcycle accident personal injury claim on someone else's behalf?
Yes you can. Motorcycle accidents can lead to serious head, brain and spinal injuries that could leave a loved one unable to lead a normal life. We understand that dealing with a serious injury to someone you care for can be acutely distressing.
If you find yourself in such difficult circumstances, you may be able to make a motorcycle accident personal injury claim on their behalf as a litigation friend. This is usually a family member or similarly responsible adult. We'll work with you to make the claim in their best interests. Let us advise you about making a claim on behalf of somebody else and what the next steps might be.
In the tragic event of a fatal motorcycle accident, nothing can ever replace your loss. Compensation can help you cope with the aftermath. In such circumstances, we'll investigate whether you can claim bereavement damages, funeral expenses and a dependency award for dependants left behind. We'll always take things at your pace.
How do I make a motorcycle accident personal injury claim?
How do I make a motorcycle accident personal injury claim?
We understand that you're likely going through a tough time post-accident, which is why it's our job to make the process as compassionate, efficient and quick as possible. All you need to do to start your motorcycle accident claim is call us on , request a call back or use our claim online tool to start your claim online today.
Talk to us in complete confidence about your experience. There's no rush, we're simply here to help you. We'll gather the facts and give you the expert advice you need to decide what you'd like to do next.
Start your claim online
Use our market leading calculator to start your claim online. It can give you an indicative claim valuation, plus confirm if you can manage your case online through our MyAccount customer account area.
Claim onlineCan motorcycle accident claims be made using no win no fee?
Can motorcycle accident claims be made using no win no fee?
Yes you can. The majority of the motorcycle accident claims we handle for our customers are on a no win no fee basis. This means that there are no hidden or upfront costs involved. As long as appropriate legal protection insurance is in place, you won't pay a penny if you lose your claim.
If you win your claim, your solicitor will typically make the following deductions from the compensation you are awarded:
- A ‘success fee' for winning the claim.
- The other side will usually be required to make a payment towards your legal costs - and expenses but any shortfall may also be deducted from your compensation.
- The cost of the premium for any legal protection insurance you may have needed to ensure your claim is risk free.
If you've suffered personal injury from a motorcycle accident that wasn't your fault, we can help you get the compensation you deserve that will help get your life back on track. Get in touch with us today on or you can start your claim online. We'll be glad to help.