Those who ride motorbikes or scooters on the UK’s roads are one of the highest risk groups in terms of accidents. Although there was a 30% drop in the number of motorbike accidents in 2020, down to 21,000, which may have largely been due to the Covid-19 lockdowns, it is still alarmingly high.
Sadly, motorcyclists are 62 times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident, despite the fact that there has been a significant decrease in the number of fatal motorcycle accidents over the past few years.
Most motorcycle accidents are caused by negligence, and generally not always the rider’s negligence. It could be down to potholes, debris or defects on the road surface but this isn’t always the case. So, what are the 5 most common motorbike accident claims?
The Top 5 Most Common Motorbike Accident Claims
There are some motorbike accident claims that we regularly come across.
- Poorly Maintained Road Surfaces – whether it’s potholes that haven’t been filled, road surfaces that are slippery, particularly in warm/hot weather, or debris left on the road, this is a major problem for motorbikes. Should an accident occur due to poorly maintained road surfaces, not only can motorcyclists claim for injuries to themselves, but they are also entitled to claim for damage to their property, i.e. the motorbike.
- Negligence – if a motorcyclist has an accident on the road due to the fault, or negligence, of another driver/road user, the motorcyclist is entitled to claim compensation for any injuries as well as damage to the motorbike. This usually occurs if the driver of the other vehicle collided with the motorbike, or another road user caused the motorcyclist to take immediate action to avoid the road user and therefore have an accident. In these incidents, it is generally because the other road user didn’t follow the Highway Code. However, it must be remembered negligence claims can also work the other way in that it may be found the motorcyclist was at fault and the other road user can make a compensation claim.
- Uninsured Motorists – there are approximately 1 million uninsured drivers (road users) in the UK, meaning there is a much greater chance of being involved in an accident with an uninsured driver or rider of a motorbike/scooter. In some cases, it’s possible that the person who caused the accident may flee the scene. However, this doesn’t mean that you cannot make a claim; you can through the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB).
- Defective Equipment/motorbike – if you have an accident and suffer injuries due to your equipment or motorbike being defective – this has to be a defect caused by the equipment or motorbike having a manufactured defect, such as faulty steering, protective clothing or helmet – the manufacturer may be liable and you are entitled to make a compensation claim as long as it can be proven that the manufacturer is at fault.
- Driving Under The Influence Of Drugs/alcohol – similar to negligence claims, if you have an accident with another driver, or even motorcyclist, and suffered an injury, and it can be prove that they were driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you are entitled to make a compensation claim not only for your injuries but also for damage to your motorbike.
With any motorbike accident claim, it’s important to assess the situation and determine the circumstances of how the accident occurred. The level of compensation is subject to a number of factors, including the extent of the injuries suffered and damage to the motorbike or equipment.
