Motorcycle Accidents

According to figures produced for 2003 by the Department for Transport 693 motor cyclists were killed in road accidents, 6959 were seriously injured and although motor cyclists represent only 1% of traffic statistics record that they represent 20% of deaths and serious injuries.

In 1999 motorcyclists were approximately 28 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured on the roads in Great Britain than car drivers. It is self evident that a motorcyclist is more vulnerable to injury than a car driver.

Little research has actually been carried out in the UK on the types of crashes experienced by motorcyclists although it is known that motor cycle accidents have different characteristics when compared with collisions involving other vehicles. Recent research of motor cycle accidents for the Department for Transport, however, found that :-

• there was a particular problem surrounding other road users' perception of motorcycles particularly at junctions and older drivers with relatively high levels of driving experience seemed to have problems detecting approaching motorcycles.
• motorcyclists themselves have far more problems with certain types of accidents such as those on bends and overtaking or "filtering" accidents.
• two main groups of riders seem to have the biggest problems i.e. young and inexperienced riders of smaller capacity machines such as scooters and older, more experienced riders of higher capacity machines.
• as riding a motorcycle involves more counter intuitive skills any impairment (for example, from medication or alcohol) more greatly affects the risk of an accident by comparison with a similar level of impairment of a car driver.

Other explanations for the greater prevalence of motorcycle accidents may also be of relevance. For example, other contributory factors might include :-

• a pothole or other defect in the road surface
• a spillage or other obstacle left on the road surface by a third party
• a defect in the motorcycle

Involved in a motorcycle accident?

Motorcyclists are more vulnerable to injury than other motorists and accidents often involve serious injuries including fractures, dislocations, neck and back injuries, nerve injuries, paralysis and spinal cord injuries. Accidents can happen when least expected and when involving motorcycles a consideration of unique issues of liability different from car accidents is often required. There is a requirement to show that negligence on the part of somebody else caused or contributed towards the accident. This may be another driver, the highway authority responsible for the road on which the accident occurred or perhaps somebody else. A claim may exist even where the motorcyclist is partly to blame.

Hodge Halsall have a highly skilled personal injury department able to assist those who have suffered personal injury as a result of a motorcycle accident. If you consider you have suffered such an injury entitling you to compensation please contact us today.

We will advise on a no win/no fee basis and will help you understand and protect your rights. We will investigate the accident circumstances and endeavour to ensure that important evidence is preserved as soon as possible. We will assist you in getting back on the road and with recovering damages for :-

• personal injury
• damage to your motorcycle and the cost of repair or replacement
• loss of earnings
• care needs
• damage to other property including helmet, leathers etc.

Please contact us for further information.