Motorcycle
Motorcycle Accident Claims
Motorcycle accidents and injuries can be devastating, with severe injuries sustained by motorcyclists every day in the UK. Due to the exposed nature of motorcyclists and their vulnerability compared to car and truck drivers they face potentially major injuries when they experience an accident. Bikers face fractures, open wounds, internal injuries and worse if they are involved in a collision or thrown from their bike. As a result the compensation payouts for motorbike accident claims can be high, with negligence from other motorists often cited.
Types of Motorbike Accident
Unfortunately when motorbikes are involved in an accident the riders and pillion passengers, in some cases, are normally the people who come off hardest hit by injury.
Newer cars, lorries, 4x4s, etc are increasingly sturdier and capable of sustaining collisions much more easier than motorcyclists; and therefore passengers are safer in these vehicles, with their air bags, seat belts and shell like structures offering much greater protection.
While motorbikes offer good levels of manoeuvrability, because of their less stable nature (two wheels) they are more prone to serious accidents and injuries to riders on impact and in severe weather conditions: snow, ice, rain, etc, as well as during other testing road conditions or when other road users are driving erratically.
Government statistics reveal the loss of control on a bend, corner or curve is a common scenario for motorbike accidents; as well as collisions.
Motorcycle accidents also occur while riders pass slow moving or stationary traffic, often known as filtering.
The most common type of motorbike accident injury is to the head – which can be severe by its very nature – also whiplash injuries are common similar to other motor vehicle injuries.
Other common types of bike accident injury are:
- Injuries to lower limbs
- Fractures to arms and legs
- Cracked ribs
- Bruising
- Sprains and strains
- Cuts
Motorbike Accident Statistics
On average there are about 600 motorcyclists killed on UK roads each year and more than 6,500 serious injuries and the numbers, as of 2010, are rising. Head injuries are the main cause of death and serious injuries. A motorbiker is 45 times more likely to be killed in a road accident than a car driver. There appear to be two peak age ranges for accidents amongst motorcyclists: 16-20 years; and 31-35 years. There are nearly 15 times as many accidents involving male motorcyclists as there are female motorcyclists.
Factors Leading To Compensation
Any case of personal injury relating to a motorbike accident will always be assessed on its individual merits but the following are factors which could be taken into account when finalising compensation levels in the event of an award.
- Level of negligence
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of earnings
- Level of medical treatment
- Loss of pension
- Impact on insurance policies
If you have been involved in a motorbike accident and require further information: perhaps you are wondering about the possibility of compensation? Why not make an initial enquiry and speak to someone? It has never been easier to seek legal advice – free and no win no fee in many cases – than it is today. Contact us today: our legal advisors will do all they can to advance your claim.
