{"id":5945,"date":"2011-02-11T09:43:04","date_gmt":"2011-02-11T08:43:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theinjurylawyers.co.uk\/injury-lawyers-blog\/?p=5945"},"modified":"2013-04-29T15:13:24","modified_gmt":"2013-04-29T14:13:24","slug":"motorcycle-accident-claims-specialists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theinjurylawyers.co.uk\/injury-lawyers-blog\/2011\/02\/11\/motorcycle-accident-claims-specialists\/","title":{"rendered":"Motorcycle Accident Claims Specialists"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Road accidents are common enough \u2013 luckily, when we\u2019re contained within a large chunk of metal surrounded by advanced crumple points and air bags, most car accident victims can escape with minor injuries at low speeds \u2013 unless of course you are a pedestrian or the impact was at high speed on a motorway. But – what about motorcyclists?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s no secret that accidents involving motorcycles can end up in absolute tragedy. There is plenty of government advertising instructing drivers to Think Bike!<\/em><\/strong>, and look, look, and look again<\/em><\/strong> when coming out of junctions, changing lanes, or turning in to side roads. Motorcycles are far harder to spot on the roads, particularly at night. Every driver should be continuously vigilant for motorcyclists<\/em><\/strong> at all times. If you spot one, you should keep them in mind all the time.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, it\u2019s been common knowledge for years that you are far more likely to be involved in an accident as a motorcyclist \u2013 in fact, previous statistics have accounted for seven times more likely<\/em><\/strong>. So the general lessons to be learnt are for drivers to ensure to be far more aware of motorcyclists, and for motorcyclists to take extra care on the roads.
\n<\/p>\n

So \u2013 what should you do if you are involved in an accident as a motorcyclist?<\/p>\n

Make sure you get yourself checked over by a medical professional first<\/em><\/strong>. Your safety helmet and protective flame retardant suit should have helped to protect you; but even if you feel fine, go to the nearest hospital or walk in centre<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Make sure to exchange details with any other vehicles involved<\/em><\/strong> \u2013 if you\u2019re badly injured, call the emergency services<\/em><\/strong> or ask someone to call them on your behalf (although I\u2019d like to think someone would do this for you anyway!). If you are too badly injured, the police will take the necessary action<\/em><\/strong> to get information from the other party\u2019s involved.<\/p>\n

STOP!<\/span><\/strong> \u2013 Before you call even your own insurers, find a specialist solicitor with experience in dealing with road accident and motorcycle claims<\/a><\/em><\/strong>. It\u2019s likely your insurers will advise you that you have the benefit of Legal Expense Insurance, or \u201cLegal Protection\u201d. We advise you to avoid going down this route<\/em><\/strong>, as in many cases all your insurers will do is sell the details of your claim on to another solicitor<\/em><\/strong> for a referral fee. Sometimes, they have a panel of, say 10 or 12, solicitors – all bidding for your claim. It\u2019s the highest bidding law firm that grabs the case<\/em><\/strong> \u2013 i.e. the one that\u2019s paid the most to buy your case<\/em><\/strong>. The fee paid out is not recoverable from the other side \u2013 so it can only really come out of either your compensation, or the running costs for your claim.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

As a motorcycle accident victim, it\u2019s likely you need a more qualified injury lawyer<\/a> with particular expertise<\/em><\/strong> in road accidents and motorcycle claims. Make sure you go direct to an independent law firm<\/em><\/strong> and cut out the middle men<\/em><\/strong> (i.e. your insurers<\/em><\/strong>) and ensure you get a lawyer with a full budget to spend on you and your case. After all, with less money to spend on your claim, how is the solicitor going to ensure to fight tooth and nail to ensure you get 100% of the maximum compensation<\/a> you are entitled to have?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

You may also find that you need treatment \u2013 perhaps some physio, chiropractic, or osteopathic treatment <\/em><\/strong>\u2013 to assist with your recovery. Getting an independent expert injury lawyer with a full budget means you should get the full works, and more! For example, as an independent firm ourselves, we:<\/p>\n