If you or a loved one have been injured in a motorbike accident that wasn't your fault, find out today if you can claim compensation for your injuries.
We are a trusted claims management company helping people make personal injury claims for over 15 years.
Motorbike Accident Claims
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorbike accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to make a motorbike accident claim.
Due to their limited protection, bikers are particularly vulnerable to traffic, road and weather conditions. A motorcycle accident can be a traumatic experience that may result in life-changing injuries, including paralysis, amputations and brain injuries.
A specialist motorcycle accident solicitor could help you make a claim on a no win no fee basis and secure compensation for your pain and suffering, medical expenses, and other related financial losses.
Call 0800 470 0472 for a free consultation with a legal adviser or request a call back. In just a few minutes, you can find out if you can make a claim for a motorbike accident and how much compensation you could receive.
Key points about motorbike accident claims
- Eligibility: You may be entitled to claim if you were injured in a motorbike accident caused by another road user’s negligence.
- Common Causes: Accidents often result from drivers failing to see motorcyclists, poor road conditions, or dangerous overtaking.
- Time Limit: You usually have 3 years from the date of the accident or the date of knowledge to begin your motorbike injury claim, with some exceptions.
- Compensation: Will reflect the type and severity of your injuries and may cover lost income, damaged gear, and long-term care needs.
- No Win, No Fee: Your solicitor will handle the case on a no win, no fee basis — you only pay a fee if your motorbike claim is successful.
Table of Contents
Can I make a motorbike accident claim?
Yes. If you were injured in a motorbike accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.
Provided that you meet the following criteria, a specialist personal injury claims solicitor will take on your case and help you start your claim:
- A third party owed you a legal duty of care.
- This duty was breached through negligence.
- Their negligence caused a motorbike accident to happen.
- You suffered injuries as a result.
- You are within the legal timeframe for starting a claim.
Who pays the compensation for a motorcycle accident injury?
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, the liable party might be a reckless driver, the local authority, or even a manufacturing company:
- Another road user. Careless or dangerous behaviours by cyclists, pedestrians or drivers might have caused your accident. This may include distraction, failure to give way, unsafe overtaking or speeding.
- Poor road conditions. Potholes, uneven surfaces, sinkholes or icy streets can also cause motorcycle accidents. If local authorities neglect their duties in maintaining road safety, they might be liable to pay you motorbike injury compensation.
- Faulty equipment. A manufacturing company may be liable for compensation if the accident was caused or worsened by a design defect, mechanical failure, or a faulty helmet.
While your claim would be against one of these parties, it will typically be their insurance company that pays your motorcycle accident compensation.
What are the time limits for motorcycle accident compensation claims?
Under the Limitation Act 1980, you must generally start a motorcycle claim within three years after your accident or date of knowledge. The limitation period might vary in certain circumstances:
- The three years begin to run on a person’s 18th birthday, so you have until 21 to start a claim if you were injured as a child (and nobody made a child injury claim on your behalf).
- There are no time limits to claim compensation in the name of someone who is not mentally capable of handling legal proceedings on their own due to severe injuries.
- In the case of fatal accidents, the three-year limitation period begins on the date of death or date of knowledge.
How to make a motorbike accident claim?
If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation for the harm and losses you incurred. The claims process usually involves these steps:
- Speak to a specialist solicitor – A free consultation with a solicitor can confirm whether you have a valid claim, who is liable and how much compensation you could be entitled to.
- Gather evidence – Your solicitor will investigate the details of your accident and the extent of your injuries and help you gather supporting evidence.
- Medical assessment and rehabilitation – An independent healthcare professional will assess the long-term impact of your injuries and your future care needs. Your solicitor will ensure you have access to the best rehabilitation support.
- Submit the claim – A formal letter of claim will be sent to the defendant, outlining your allegations of negligence and the compensation amount you seek.
- Negotiations or court proceedings – If liability is admitted, you can begin to negotiate a settlement (the vast majority of cases). Otherwise, your solicitor will prepare to take your case to court.
- Compensation – If your claim is successful, you may typically receive a lump sum payment within four weeks.
How much compensation can I get for a motorbike accident?
The compensation you are entitled to will depend on the injuries sustained, the circumstances of the accident, and many other criteria. Every road traffic accident claim covers two types of damages:
Special damages compensate you for a quantifiable financial loss. This could include:
- Private treatment and rehabilitation.
- Repair or replacement of damaged property.
- Loss of earnings and earning capacity.
General damages cover subjective losses resulting from the injury or injuries you sustained:
- Physical pain and suffering.
- Scarring and disfigurement.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
The appropriate amount of compensation for a motorbike injury is calculated based on the 18th Edition of the Judicial College guidelines. According to our online compensation calculator, you could receive the following awards, depending on your specific circumstances:
| Injury Type | Description | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Back Injuries | A severe back injury with spinal cord and nerve root damage, causing pain, disability and bladder, bowel and sexual impairment | £120,000 - £213,000 |
| Knee Injuries | A serious knee injury with joint disruption, ligament damage and osteoarthritis, causing pain and loss of function | £92,000 - £127,000 |
| Digestive System | Severe traumatic damage to the digestive system, with ongoing pain and discomfort | £57,000 - £82,000 |
| Arm Injuries | A serious fracture of one or both forearms causing permanent functional or cosmetic disability | £52,000 - £79,000 |
| Hip And Pelvis Injuries | A hip or pelvis fracture requiring surgery or hip replacement | £52,000 - £69,000 |
| Brain Damage | Brain damage with good recovery and return to work and social life, but possible ongoing concentration or memory issues | £20,000 - £57,000 |
| Chest Injuries | Chest injury causing some permanent tissue damage but no major long-term lung problem | £17,000 - £24,000 |
| Fractured Cheekbone | A simple cheekbone fracture requiring surgery, with complete recovery | £5,800 - £8,500 |
Can motorcycle accident claims be made on a no win no fee basis?
Yes. If you are eligible to make a claim, the solicitors we partner with can help you claim compensation on a no win no fee basis.
A no win no fee motorcycle accident claim means that you don’t have to worry about any upfront fees. Furthermore, if your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t have to pay your solicitor anything. If your claim succeeds, a success fee capped at 25% of certain parts of your compensation will be deducted from your settlement as their payment.
What are the most common causes of motorbike accidents?
According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), a British charity that aims to prevent life-changing road accidents, the most common causes of motorcycle accidents are:
- Failure to negotiate bends – Losing control on bends is a frequent cause of serious motorbike crashes. Poor road conditions, such as potholes, loose gravel or icy surfaces, significantly increase the risk of accidents.
- Collisions at junctions – Around ten motorcyclists are killed or injured in accidents at junctions each day. In most cases, another driver is at fault by failing to see the rider or misjudging their speed.
- Overtaking collisions – Some motorcycle accidents occur during overtaking attempts. Drivers may fail to see an oncoming rider, leading to sudden and often severe collisions.
- Loss of control – Rider inexperience, speeding, careless behaviour, or poor road conditions may lead to a rider losing control and crashing, with no other road user being involved in the accident.
- Speed – Excessive speed is a major factor in road traffic accidents, including those involving motorbikes. High-speed crashes are more likely to result in serious injuries or fatalities.
If you were involved in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else, a motorcycle accident lawyer can offer you the support you need to claim compensation for your injuries.
What should I do if I’m involved in a motorbike accident?
Being involved in a motorcycle accident can be incredibly stressful and overwhelming. Whether or not another vehicle was involved, you should take the following steps after a motorbike accident:
- Stop in a safe place and check whether anyone has been injured or if there is damage to property.
- Exchange contact and insurance details with anyone involved, including drivers, pedestrians or property owners.
- Call an ambulance immediately by dialling 999 if anyone is seriously injured.
- Report the accident to the police as soon as reasonably practicable if required.
- Take photographs of the accident, vehicle damage and any relevant surroundings.
- Get witness details.
- Get the contact and insurance details of any other drivers involved in the accident.
- Write down what happened while the events are still fresh, describing any relevant details.
- Report the accident to your insurance company.
- Avoid admitting fault at the scene.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if your injuries seem minor.
- Keep all proof of expenses related to the accident.
By following these guidelines, you are making sure to have the necessary evidence in case of a subsequent accident claim.
Keep in mind that no matter how small and insignificant the event may seem, you have a legal responsibility to always stop after any road accident. Failing to stop and report the incident to the police if anybody was injured is a serious offence that can even lead to imprisonment.
What evidence do I need to support my claim for motorbike accident compensation?
In any personal injury claim, strong evidence is the key to success. You should aim to gather as much evidence as possible to prove how the accident happened and how it has impacted your life, including:
- Pictures of the accident scene.
- Contact details of any witnesses.
- Photos of hazards that might have caused the accident, like potholes or spillages.
- Contact details of other road users who were involved in the accident.
- Any dashcam or CCTV footage.
- Photos of your injuries and the recovery process.
- Receipts of medical expenses and other financial losses.
- A copy of your medical records.
- A police report, if available.
The sooner you start the claim process, the better. This way, a solicitor will have plenty of time to help collect evidence to build a strong case.
Frequently asked questions
- You were speeding, but another vehicle failed to give right of way at a junction.
- Another vehicle collided with you, but you were not wearing a helmet.
- You took a bend at high velocity, but there was a defect in the road surface.
- You had a few drinks, but the accident was due to a motorcycle defect.
If you’ve had an accident and it is determined that you are partly at fault for it, any compensation awarded to you may be reduced to account for your part of the blame.
- Calling your insurance company.
- Submitting an inquiry through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau online service.
If the other driver turns out to be uninsured, you may still be able to claim through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB). MIB is a private, non-profit organisation through which compensation is allocated to victims of accidents caused by uninsured drivers.
The MIB is funded by every driver who pays mandatory vehicle insurance in the UK. Once it is established that the other driver had no insurance, the MIB will investigate the case and award compensation if your claim is successful.
- Take note of the colour, model, and registration number of the vehicle.
- Talk to any witnesses and get their contact details.
- Take photos of the accident scene, including your injuries and any damage to your motorcycle.
- Promptly report the accident to the police and wait for their arrival.
If you don’t have comprehensive insurance, the MIB may investigate your case. If they determine the hit and run driver was fully or partially at fault for the accident, they may pay compensation, just like a regular insurance company.
- A child under 18 years old.
- An adult who is mentally incapacitated because of the accident or a pre-existing condition.
A specialist motorcycle accident claims solicitor can guide you through the process and ensure the claim is submitted correctly. If you win compensation, they can also help you set up a personal injury trust in your loved one’s name to protect their money.
If a loved one was involved in a fatal collision due to someone else’s negligence, you could make a fatal accident claim. While this won’t ease your suffering, it can help you recover the following:
- The financial support expected from your loved one.
- Loss of services provided by them, such as childcare.
- Funeral expenses, such as wreaths and the wake.
- A bereavement award of £15,120.
In simple, clear-cut cases, where your injuries were minor or moderate, and the defendant accepts liability, the claim is likely to be settled quickly, often within 4 to 9 months. If you have suffered a life-changing accident or if liability is denied, the claim might take significantly longer.
- Save you time and effort – They will handle all the paperwork, communication, and evidence gathering, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
- Navigate the legal process – Lawyers understand how the legal system works and will know the necessary steps to secure a successful claim.
- Dealing with insurers – They have the training and ability to oppose the defendant party, knowing how to deal with typical insurance company tactics.
- Accuracy and compliance – The solicitor will make sure every document and piece of information is up to date.
- No win no fee service – By hiring a lawyer on a no win no fee basis, you don’t have to worry about any legal fees or other expenses.
Motorcycle accident statistics
Motorcycle riders have one of the highest fatality rates on Great Britain’s roads. In 2024, there were 340 motorcyclists killed in reported road collisions, and motorcyclists accounted for 21% of all road deaths.
- In 2024, there were 15,960 reported motorcyclist casualties, of which 5,468 were serious, and 340 were fatal.
- Between 2020 and 2024, there were 79,323 motorcyclist casualties, 52,425 of which involved a collision with a car.
- Motorcycle collisions involving heavy goods vehicles have the highest proportion of fatal outcomes at 9.4%.
- In the year ending June 2025, 367 motorcyclists were killed in Great Britain, a 14% increase from the previous year.
Call 0800 470 0472 today or request a call back if you were injured in a motorbike accident and you want to make a compensation claim. You will receive a free case assessment and legal advice, with no obligation to proceed.
