Published: 6th June 2022

Being involved in a motorcycle accident can be a frightening and life-changing experience.

Motorcyclists are amongst the most vulnerable of road users and have the highest accident and injury rates per miles travelled of all road users. Despite this statistic, motorcyclists make up just 1% of motor vehicle traffic, yet in 2020 accounted for 20% of all road deaths.

Whilst the UK has seen a 51% decrease in motorcyclist deaths and serious injuries from 2004-2020, the importance of staying safe on the roads as a motorcyclist remains extremely important.

Whilst it isn’t a scenario any biker would want to think too much about, it is important to know what to do after being involved in a motorcycle accident.

In this article, we cover the important steps you, or a loved one on your behalf, should take after being involved in a motorcycle accident, as well as the steps to take going forward in relation to making a claim and securing the compensation and support you need to get your life back on track.

Important steps to take after a motorcycle accident

Get to safety

If you are in a position that is unsafe and you are at risk of any further danger then, if possible, try to locate yourself in a safer area where you are not in the path of other road users or at further risk.

If there is anyone close by that may have witnessed the accident, you may wish to ask for their help in moving to a safer area.

Don’t remove your helmet or protective gear

Motorcycle gear can help to reduce the severity of injuries you may sustain in a motorcycle accident.

In fact, according to The United Nations Motorcycle Helmet Study, wearing an appropriate helmet improves a motorcyclist’s chance of survival by 42% and helps avoid 69% of all other injuries.

In the event of a motorcycle accident, it is advised that you should only remove a helmet if it is absolutely essential in order to maintain a person’s airway.

Otherwise, make sure you wait for paramedics to arrive on the scene of the accident and provide advice before removing your helmet or any other protective gear, as there is a risk you may further injure yourself.

Seeking help and medical attention

You are likely to be traumatised and overwhelmed after being involved in a motorcycle accident, especially if you have sustained a serious injury. As soon as you (or another individual on your behalf) can, call emergency services to report the accident and to seek medical attention.

Exchanging your details

The law requires drivers or riders to stop after accidents involving personal injury or damage (section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988).If possible, the parties involved should:

• Stop their vehicles;
• Exchange names and addresses of both the driver and owner of the vehicles;
• Take note of registration plates.

In the event that another party does not make an effort to stop or comply with the above actions, you or someone on your behalf should report this to the police.

If your name or address are not taken by the police at the time of the accident, you should report the accident and provide your details to the police as soon as possible. This should be done within 24 hours of the accident.

Gather evidence

If possible, ensure photographs are taken at the scene of the accident. If there are any witnesses of the accident, you, or someone on your behalf, should make effort to get their details so they can clarify what happened when the accident took place.

Having as much evidence as possible will help you when making a claim, especially if there is any dispute and complexities in terms of who was to blame for the accident.

Record and document details of the accident

Shortly after the accident, it is understandable that you will be in a state of shock. As soon as you feel that you can, try to document everything you remember about the accident as this will help at a later date when pursuing a compensation claim. Alternatively, ask for a relative or friend to help you do this.

Seek legal advice

After being involved in a motorcycle accident, many aspects of your life may be affected, especially if you’ve been seriously injured.

As soon as you feel ready, you should reach out and seek expert legal advice. Instructing a specialist motorcycle accident lawyer will help you deal with the immediate challenges you may be facing.

Consulting a specialist lawyer will ensure your claim is in safe hands and you get the peace of mind that you need, for now and for the future.

When instructing Serious Injury Law Ltd to handle your motorcycle claim, we will:

• Provide expert legal advice and support;
• Seek financial assistance whilst your claim progresses;
• Maintain regular communication and support from our specialist team;
• Deliver a tailored service taking into account your immediate and future needs.

Our expert team have over 32 years’ experience dealing with serious motorcycle claims. If you’re concerned about liability, fault or being partly to blame, speak to a specialist solicitor today.

Making a motorcycle accident claim

Whilst motorcycle accidents inevitably do occur, there are some prevention measures you can take to stay safe whilst riding your motorbike. Furthermore, having the the right motorcycle gear can not only help you stay safe, but also ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable ride.

If you choose to make a claim with us, rest assured that our team will guide you through the claims process and help you gather all the information and evidence required to support your case.

Our team will always negotiate the best possible outcome for you. In many cases, we have recommended the rejection of numerous settlement offers and then proceeded to negotiate significantly improved offers for our clients.

See two examples below where we negotiated improved offers for our clients involved in motorcycle accidents:

‘Richard’ – Motorcycle collision with an oncoming vehicle– Richard was involved in a serious motorcycle accident caused by the dangerous driving of the defendant. Our specialist lawyers negotiated a multi-million pound settlement for Richard.

‘Luke’ – Motorcycle collision at a junction– Luke was knocked from his motorcycle by a van emerging from a junction. Following legal proceedings and numerous offers to settle the case, we secured a six-figure sum for our client.

Contact a Specialist Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one have been involved in a motorcycle accident, our qualified and experienced motorcycle accident lawyers can help you make a claim to secure the compensation and support you need to rebuild your life.

If you would like expert legal advice from a specialist solicitor, click here.

If you are ready to make a claim, click here.

As always, we wish everyone safe travels; however, if you or any of your family or friends are involved in an accident on the roads and require legal assistance from a Top Tier Legal 500 rated law firm, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We can be contacted on 0330 058 0377 for a free, confidential conversation with a qualified, serious injury solicitor. Alternatively, please send us your contact details to enquiry@seriouslaw.co.uk, and one of our team will be in touch. All enquiries are free and confidential.