A motorcycle crash can change your life in seconds. One moment you are navigating your usual route, and the next you are left dealing with painful injuries, lost earnings, rehabilitation, and the psychological impact of a collision that was completely preventable. If you have been injured as a rider or passenger due to the negligent actions of a fellow road user, you may be able to start the motorcycle accident claims process to seek compensation for your pain, suffering, and financial losses.
At Public Interest Lawyers, our experienced road traffic accident solicitors understand the specific hurdles riders face and are committed to protecting your interests from day one. To ensure the strongest possible case, we assist in gathering helmet‑cam footage and specialist medical reports, and we handle all claim-related communications on your behalf.
We offer our services on a No Win No Fee basis, ensuring you can access high-quality professional representation without any upfront or ongoing service fees. With a focus on straightforward advice and dedicated support, our team is here to guide you through every stage of your recovery and legal journey.
Every rider’s recovery path is different, and the support you receive should reflect your individual needs. Reach out to our team today to discuss your specific circumstances and see how we can help you move forward.
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- Can I Claim Compensation For A Motorcycle Accident?
- Who Could Be Liable For A Motorcycle Accident?
- Motorcycle Accident Claims Examples
- What Injuries Could Be Sustained After An Accident On A Motorcycle?
- Fatal Motorcycle Injury Compensation Claims
- How Much Compensation Can I Get For A Motorcycle Accident?
- What Is The Process For Claiming Motorbike Injury Compensation?
- Claiming For A Motorbike Accident With Public Interest Lawyers
- Learn More
Can I Claim Compensation For A Motorcycle Accident?
Yes, you can claim compensation for a motorcycle accident if you were injured as a rider or passenger due to the negligent actions of another road user, your employer, or a responsible highway authority. Establishing your eligibility to pursue compensation is the first step toward taking legal action. This means that to move forward with a case, you must meet the following requirements:
- You Were Owed a Duty of Care: This means that a fellow road user, your employer, or a local authority had a legal responsibility to protect your safety at the time you were injured as a rider or pillion passenger.
- That Duty of Care Was Breached: You must demonstrate that the responsible party failed to act as a reasonable person would have. In motorcycle accident claims, this frequently involves drivers pulling across a rider’s path at a junction without properly checking their surroundings (so-called ‘Sorry Mate, I Didn’t See You’ incidents) and highway authorities failing to repair documented and actionable road defects, such as potholes.
- You Suffered Motorcycle Accident Injuries: To be eligible, you must have sustained a physical or psychological injury. Whether this is ‘road rash’ (friction burns) and broken bones or life-changing injuries to the spinal cord and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the harm must be a direct result of the other party’s breach.
Can I Still Claim If I Was Partly To Blame For My Motorbike Accident?
You can still claim if you were partly to blame for your motorbike accident, provided another party shares responsibility for your injuries. These cases are often settled on a split-liability basis, where payouts are adjusted to reflect the degree of fault among the parties involved.
For example, if a driver pulled out of a side road without looking, but you were filtering through traffic at an excessive speed, you might be found 25% responsible. In this scenario, you would still receive 75% of the total compensation value.
What If I Wasn’t Wearing Protective Gear When My Accident Happened?
If you weren’t wearing protective gear when your accident happened, you may still be able to seek compensation for your injuries if you can prove that another road user shares blame for the harm suffered. However, your claim may be settled on the basis of contributory negligence.
While the law only mandates a properly secured helmet, failing to wear protective leathers, boots, or gloves can lead the insurance company to argue that you contributed to the severity of your injury. As with motorcycle accident compensation claims involving split liability, this may reduce your payout by a set percentage.
Can I Claim On Behalf Of A Loved One?
You can make a motorcycle accident claim on behalf of a loved one if they cannot pursue compensation independently because they lack mental capacity to do so or are under 18. Motorbike crashes often result in serious conditions that leave the rider unable to make legal decisions. So, even if they had the required capacity to manage a claim before their motorcycle accident, they may not now.
In these situations, you can act as a litigation friend. This role allows you to work with our solicitors and make decisions in the rider’s best interests.
Contact us for a free consultation to see how our motorcycle accident solicitors here at Public Interest Lawyers can provide you or your family member with expert legal support.
Who Could Be Liable For A Motorcycle Accident?
Other motorists, local highway authorities, and vehicle manufacturers are the primary parties who could be liable for a motorcycle accident. Identifying the correct defendant is essential, as motorcycle incidents often involve complex, hidden factors such as road defects or mechanical failures.
Potential liable parties typically include:
- Other road users: Most claims are brought against motorists who pull out at junctions without looking or open car doors directly into a rider’s path. Liability is established if the driver failed to check their mirrors, observe a filtering rider, or yield the right-of-way. Road users are legally obligated to travel safely, avoid causing harm to themselves or others, and follow the rules and regulations set out in the Highway Code and the Road Traffic Act 1988.
- Local authorities and councils: Under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980, councils must maintain road structures to a safe standard. If you crash because of an “actionable” pothole, a missing grid, or a severely degraded surface, the council can be held liable for failing to repair a known hazard.
- Employers: If you were using a motorbike for work as a courier or delivery rider, your employer has a legal duty to take practical steps to ensure your health and safety. They may be responsible for your injuries if they were caused by faulty work‑issued equipment, a lack of protective safety gear, or unrealistic delivery targets that pressured you into taking unnecessary risks.
- Manufacturers: If your accident occurred because your brakes failed or your steering locked due to a mechanical fault, the motorbike manufacturer may be held liable.
Talk to our team to find out who may be at fault for your injuries. If you pursue compensation with Public Interest Lawyers, we will ensure every responsible party is held to account.
Motorcycle Accident Claims Examples
Negligent lane changes, failure to check mirrors at junctions, and poorly maintained road surfaces are common causes of motorcycle accident claims. Understanding how these failings manifest in real-world traffic helps clarify your legal position. Typical examples of third-party negligence include:
- Sudden lane changes without signalling: While you are commuting on a dual carriageway, a driver swerves into your path without signalling their intent. This leads to them hitting your motorbike, leaving you with road rash and a broken collarbone.
- Tailgating: In heavy traffic, a motorist follows your bike too closely and strikes your rear wheel when you brake at a red light. Their failure to account for your bike’s deceleration rate causes a collision that leaves you with a painful whiplash injury.
- Negligent road maintenance: Despite being notified about a hazardous defect, your local council fails to repair a deep pothole on a sharp bend. As you lean into the corner, the lack of traction causes your front wheel to wash out, leading to a low-side crash that results in a complex leg fracture and permanent scarring.
- Split liability: While filtering through stationary traffic on a main road, you travel at an excessive speed that prevents you from reacting safely to hazards. At the same time, an oncoming motorist turns across your path without checking for riders. The resulting collision fractures your pelvis.
- Employer negligence: Your employer provides you with a delivery bike that they have failed to inspect or maintain. This disrepair causes the braking system to seize without warning, launching you over the handlebars and leaving you with a shattered radius.
Every incident involves a unique set of circumstances, so please don’t hesitate to tell us the specifics of your motorbike accident so we can quickly assess whether you have grounds to claim.
What Injuries Could Be Sustained After An Accident On A Motorcycle?
Road rash, broken bones, and head trauma are the most frequent injuries sustained after an accident on a motorcycle. Due to the lack of structural protection afforded by a bike, even low-speed collisions can result in significant physical harm, psychological trauma, or nerve damage. Common injuries are detailed below:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Even when wearing a high-quality helmet, the force of an impact can cause the brain to strike the interior of the skull. This can leave riders with mild concussions or permanent cognitive impairment.
- Spinal cord and back injuries: Striking the asphalt or a stationary object can lead to fractured vertebrae or spinal cord trauma. This may cause chronic pain or, in severe cases, partial or full paralysis.
- Complex fractures: These may include open fractures that require internal fixation surgery and extensive rehabilitation.
- Nerve damage: Riders often suffer ‘Biker’s Arm’ (damage to the brachial plexus), typically affecting the shoulder, arms, or legs.
- Road rash: Sliding across the road surface at speed can strip away layers of skin, even with protective gear. Severe cases can lead to traumatic degloving, permanent scarring, and high infection risks.
- Soft tissue and organ damage: Sudden deceleration can cause internal bruising or organ rupture. Furthermore, damage to ligaments and tendons often results in lifelong mobility limitations.
Every rider’s injury profile is unique, so please call us now to discuss your specific circumstances and see whether you can claim.
Fatal Motorcycle Injury Compensation Claims
It is possible to make a fatal motorcycle injury compensation claim, though specific rules govern who can initiate the process. Under the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1934, the deceased’s estate has the exclusive right to bring a claim during the first 6 months after the death. This action covers the pain and suffering the rider experienced prior to their passing, as well as any financial losses incurred.
Beyond these immediate losses, the estate can also pursue a dependency claim on behalf of eligible family members. If the estate does not initiate this process within those first 6 months, qualifying dependants are entitled to make a claim under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 (FAA) for how the death has personally affected them. For a deeper look at eligibility, please see our dedicated guide to fatal accident claims.
Losing a loved one in a fatal motorcycle accident is a devastating experience that requires legal support combining both expert knowledge and sensitive handling. Please reach out to our team today for a confidential talk about your family’s situation and how we can help you navigate the bike accident claims process.
How Much Compensation Can I Get For A Motorcycle Accident?
How much compensation you can get for a motorcycle accident depends on the severity of your injuries, your related financial losses, and the long-term impact the crash has on your quality of life. The physical and psychological effects of your injury fall under a head of claim known as general damages. To determine a fair value for this head, your legal representation may refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This publication provides suggestive brackets of compensation for various injuries based on their severity and type.
It is important to remember that every claim is unique, and your final settlement may differ based on your specific circumstances. The following figures reflect brackets found in the JCG; however, these amounts serve as a guide rather than a guarantee of motorcycle accident compensation. Please also note that the top entry is not a JCG bracket.
| Injury | Severity | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple severe injuries and financial losses (e.g., lost earnings and the cost of physiotherapy and motorbike repairs) | Very severe | Up to or over £1,000,000 |
| Brain | Very severe - There may be little to no indication of language function or meaningful response to surrounds | £372,570 to £533,720 |
| Paralysis | Paraplegia - Considers level of independence and presence of depression | £289,420 to £375,540 |
| Back | Severe (i) - Incomplete paralysis and significant impairment of bladder function from severe spinal cord and nerve root damage | £120,340 to £212,670 |
| Neck | Severe (ii) - Considerably severe disabilities resulting from serious damage to cervical spine discs | £86,860 to £172,970 |
| Leg | Severe (ii) very serious - Permanent mobility problems and lifelong need for mobility aids | £72,440 to £117,210 |
| Pelvis and hip | Severe (ii) - Impotence resulting from fracture dislocations to the pubic and ischial rami | £81,790 to £103,580 |
| Knee | Severe (ii) - Fracture extends into the knee joint and causes permanent, constant pain | £68,860 to £92,130 |
| Arm | Permanent and substantial disablement - Involving serious fractures to 1 or both forearms | £51,750 to £79,080 |
| Bodily scarring | Several noticeable laceration scars or a single disfiguring scar | £10,350 to £30,030 |
Can Motorcycle Accident Claims Cover Other Losses?
Yes, motorcycle accident claims can cover other losses, specifically out-of-pocket costs resulting from an injury. These fall under special damages, which account for both immediate costs and projected expenses in the future, including:
- Loss of income and future career impact: Recovery of missed wages and reduced earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to work or performing the same duties that you were capable of before the motorcycle accident.
- Private rehabilitation: Funding for orthopaedic care or trauma counselling to help you regain your confidence on the road.
- Gear replacement: The cost of replacing high-specification safety equipment, such as your helmet, leathers, boots, and gloves, as well as any aftermarket modifications to your motorcycle.
- Vehicle repair or total loss: Professional repairs to restore your motorcycle to its pre-accident condition, or the full market value of the bike if it is declared a total loss.
- Travel and transport expenses: Reimbursement for hiring a replacement motorcycle, alongside public transport fares or fuel costs for attending medical assessments.
Accurately valuing a lifelong disability or a career-ending injury is a complex process. Contact our team today for a free assessment to find out how we will ensure every single one of your losses is accounted for.
What Is The Process For Claiming Motorbike Injury Compensation?
The process for claiming motorbike injury compensation involves gathering robust evidence of the incident, documenting the full extent of your injuries, and seeking specialist legal guidance. These steps are detailed below.
What Evidence Will Support A Motorcycle Accident Claim?
Evidence that will support a motorcycle accident claim includes police reports, high-resolution photographs of road defects, and helmet- or bike-mounted camera footage that captured the collision as it happened. If it is safe to do so at the scene, you should also secure the other motorist’s insurance details, contact information, and vehicle registration.
There are many other ways to strengthen your case, including copies of your medical records. You can find out more in our comprehensive overview of using evidence in a personal injury claim.
How Long After Being Injured On A Motorbike Can I Make A Claim?
You typically have 3 years after being injured on a motorbike to start a claim, beginning from the date of the accident. Certain exceptions apply depending on your specific circumstances, as set out in the Limitation Act 1980. You can find more detailed information on these specific timeframes in our guide to the limitation period.
When you pursue a claim with our support, we ensure every detail is handled professionally. Contact us today to discuss your specific circumstances and find out if you can start the legal process.
Claiming For A Motorbike Accident With Public Interest Lawyers
At Public Interest Lawyers, we manage every aspect of a motorbike accident claim, from investigating the collision to ensuring that the complex nature of multiple‑trauma injuries is accurately valued.
Why Choose Our Expert Motorcycle Injury Solicitors?
If you choose our expert motorcycle injury solicitors, you will benefit from a dedicated service that understands the nuances of filtering and biker-specific road laws. We recognise that motorcyclists face unique challenges after an accident on the road.
Our solicitors work to ease the burden on your shoulders so you can dedicate your energy to recovery. Choosing our team gives you access to:
- Accident reconstruction specialists: We use independent experts to analyse skid marks, vehicle positioning, and impact points to prove negligence and the exact sequence of events that led to your injuries.
- Independent medical assessments: These assessments are carried out by clinical experts specialising in complex injuries such as ‘biker’s arm’ or internal trauma to ensure your claim is accurately valued, and all injuries are accounted for.
- Contesting liability splits: Insurers often push for a 50/50 split in filtering or junction motorbike accidents. We fight to ensure liability is accurately assigned and that any final settlement you receive is fair.
- Rehabilitation support: Alongside our legal support, we can connect you with specialist physiotherapy, orthopaedic care, and trauma counselling to help you regain the mobility and confidence needed to get back in the saddle.
- Total gear recovery: Your solicitor will negotiate a settlement that includes the cost of replacing any riding kit damaged in the accident.
No Win No Fee Motorbike Accident Claims
You can pursue your motorcycle accident claim on a No Win No Fee basis with our dedicated team here at Public Interest Lawyers. Our solicitors offer a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), which offers peace of mind as you seek redress.
Under this agreement, you will not be required to pay our solicitors’ service fees throughout the claim, including:
- If we are unable to secure a compensation payout.
- At any stage of the motorcycle accident claims process.
- In advance of taking legal action.
We receive a pre-agreed percentage of your compensation if we win your case. This is referred to as a success fee and is legally capped, ensuring that the vast majority of the compensation stays with you to support your future.
Contact Public Interest Lawyers
Reach out now to discuss your specific circumstances and learn more about motorcycle accident claims:
- Visit our contact page
- Call our advisors on 0800 073 8803
- Message us in our live chat
Learn More
You can find further information about claiming for similar road traffic accident injuries in some of our other guides:
- How to claim after a motorway accident.
- Explore the steps involved in pursuing an e-scooter accident claim.
- Find out about the work of our motorcycle accident solicitors.
External resources:
- Guidance on motorcycle safety from the government’s Think! campaign.
- NHS advice on when to call 999.
- Government overview of the requirements for driving a motorcycle.
Please contact us today if you have any questions about how Public Interest Lawyers can support you through the motorcycle accident claims process.