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Motorcycle accident claims

When a motorcycle collision happens, the impact can be lifechanging. If someone else was at fault, you may be able to make a motorcycle accident claim. We have long supported injured riders, and we’re here to help you too.

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Author

Mary Lomas

Associate Solicitor

Reviewer

Siobhan Thacker

Partner, Solicitor

Last Updated

16th July 2026

Can I make a motorbike accident claim?

You may be able to make a motorbike accident claim if you were injured in a collision or incident caused fully or partly by someone else. Motorcyclists are among some of the most vulnerable road users, and a serious collision can affect your mobility, independence and daytoday life in ways that go far beyond the physical injury.

Motorbike accident claims can be brought forward in many situations. We’ve supported riders injured in filtering and undertaking accidents, junction collisions, pothole and debris incidents, dooring accidents, hitandrun collisions and bus lane accidents. Even when fault isn’t immediately clear, it’s often possible to investigate what happened and determine whether negligence played a part.

It’s natural to feel uncertain about the injury and whether you have the right to pursue compensation. But you may still be able to claim even if you were partly responsible. Your compensation would be adjusted to reflect your share of responsibility, but a partialfault claim is still worth exploring. Our solicitors will give you an honest assessment from the start.

In most cases, you have three years from the date of your accident to begin a claim. There are exceptions, for example, if the injured person is a child or lacks mental capacity. If you’re unsure whether you’re still within the time limit, we can advise you during a free initial consultation.

Example of a motorbike accident claim

Imagine a motorcyclist riding through a green traffic light when a car turns across their path into a side road. The rider is knocked from their bike and suffers serious leg and spinal injuries. If we can argue that the car driver was driving without due care and attention, and that their negligence directly caused your injuries, this would be a valid motorbike accident claim.

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What compensation can help with

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Recovering lost income and covering future care.

A motorbike accident can change your circumstances instantly. Some riders face long periods of rehabilitation, while others are left with lifechanging injuries that lead to permanent changes in their mobility and independence. Compensation can help you manage these changes and access the support you need to recover well.

Your injury might mean that you are forced to take time away from work, require ongoing medical treatment and need help with daytoday tasks. For many riders, compensation is about far more than covering financial losses – it’s about rebuilding life after a devastating event.

A successful motorbike accident claim may help fund:

  • Pain, suffering and loss of amenity
  • Loss of earnings, including future income
  • Rehabilitation, physiotherapy and specialist therapy
  • Psychological support following trauma
  • Home or vehicle adaptations and mobility equipment
  • Care and support needs, whether professional or provided by family
  • Medical expenses and treatment costs
  • Damage to your motorbike, helmet and riding kit
  • Travel costs related to treatment and appointments
Understanding the potential value

Every motorbike accident claim is valued on its own circumstances, including the longterm impact on your health, work and independence. Our team has secured £450,000 for a rider with complex pelvic injuries, and a sevenfigure settlement for a motorcyclist left with a traumatic brain injury and lasting cognitive and physical challenges. One of our clients, Dave, lost his arm in a major motorbike collision involving multiple vehicles. He spent weeks in hospital, faced a long period of rehabilitation and had to adjust to a completely different way of living. Compensation helped him access specialist therapy, adapt his home, stay active through supported gym membership and regain independence. Stories like Dave’s show how vital the right financial support can be when life changes in an instant. We’ll assess your circumstances to give you a clearer idea of what your claim may be worth.

Understanding interim payments

For serious motorbike injuries, waiting until the end of your claim to access financial support isn’t always an option. Where possible, we’ll apply for interim payments on your behalf – sums that are released early during the claims process, before the final settlement is agreed. These payments can help cover immediate costs like specialist treatment, rehabilitation, equipment, or adaptations to your home, so you can focus on recovery rather than financial pressure. You shouldn’t have to wait until the end of your claim to get the support you need.

Why choose Fletchers for your motorbike accident claim?

Motorbike accident claims are complex, especially when injuries are serious or catastrophic. Our specialist motorcycle accident solicitors are recognised by The Legal 500 and Chambers, and have secured major results for riders — including sevenfigure settlements in highvalue, disputed cases.

Expertise you can rely on

  • Specialist motorcycle accident solicitors with almost 40 years of experience representing injured riders
  • Recognised by the Legal 500 for our client-centric approach and commitment to excellence
  • Exclusive legal partners of the British Motorcyclists Federation
  • A team of dedicated motorcycle accident specialists, including experienced solicitors and support colleagues
  • Proven track record in high-value and complex claims, including multi-million-pound settlements
  • In-house rehabilitation team to help you access specialist care and support from the earliest stage of your claim
  • National coverage, with home or hospital visits available where needed
  • No win, no fee – so you can pursue your claim without financial risk

You're not alone

We understand what you’re going through.

Many of the motorbike accident solicitors at Fletchers are keen motorcyclists themselves. We understand the biker community, and we actively support initiatives that promote safer riding. We’re also exclusive legal partners of the British Motorcyclists Federation, and support riders across the UK claim compensation and get back on their bike after an injury.

We know that a serious motorbike accident doesn’t just cause physical injuries. It can affect every part of your life – affecting your your confidence, your independence and your sense of who you are. Trying to understand what has happened, or seeing the extent of your injuries for the first time, can be frightening. For many riders, reality only settles in once they return home and realise how much of their daytoday life has changed.

We understand all of this, and we’ve supported many riders who felt exactly this way. We understand that what matters most to you is being able to recover well, get back to doing the things you love, and having the means to cover lost income and provide financial stability for you and your family.

That’s what we’re here to do. From your first call, we’ll take the time to understand your situation, explain things clearly and handle every part of the process so you can focus on your recovery.

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Rehabilitation support

We go beyond legal advice to support you, not just your case, making sure the right care and practical help are in place throughout the compensation claim process.

A message from our Rehabilitation and Wellbeing Team

We work alongside Fletchers Solicitors’ legal experts – listening carefully to your needs, helping you understand what support is available and creating a personalised recovery plan.

Led by rehabilitation manager Julie Chorlton, we bring together expertise across healthcare, therapy and welfare support, and can help arrange access to treatment and financial support. We also work with accredited mental health professionals, giving you and your family access to counselling quickly.

 

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FAQs about motorbike accident claims

What is a motorbike accident claim?

A motorbike accident claim is a legal process to recover compensation if you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident that wasn’t your fault, or was partly someone else’s fault. It can help cover the impact of your injuries, including pain and suffering, loss of earnings, medical treatment, rehabilitation, and other related costs.

How does a motorbike accident claim work?

With a team of 50 dedicated motorcycle accident specialists, including experienced motorcycle accident lawyers and support colleagues, we are here to guide you through every stage of your claim.

Speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer

We’ll take initial details of the accident and answer your immediate questions. It’s important to speak to a solicitor with specific experience in motorbike accident claims as soon as possible. Get in touch today.

We review your case

Your case will be reviewed by our legal team, and we’ll gather further details to understand the circumstances and potential evidence.

We investigate and secure evidence

Your solicitor will begin investigations to support your claim, identify the third-party insurer, and gather available evidence such as CCTV footage.

Early on, we also assess rehabilitation needs and help you access specialist support.

We obtain medical and financial evidence

We’ll obtain medical records and arrange an appointment with an independent medical expert, as well as gathering evidence of financial losses.

We negotiate your compensation

We submit your medical report and losses to the insurer and negotiate a settlement. Most claims settle without going to court, but if court proceedings are needed, your solicitor will guide you throughout.

Once your settlement is agreed, your claim is resolved and compensation is secured.

Can I make a claim if the accident was partly my fault?

Yes. Even if you were partially responsible, you may still be able to claim compensation. Your settlement may be reduced to reflect your share of responsibility, but it’s still worth getting advice. Our solicitors will give you an honest assessment from the start.

How much compensation can I claim for a motorbike accident?

The amount depends on the severity of your injuries and how the accident has affected your life. As well as the injury itself, you may be able to claim for loss of earnings, medical treatment and rehabilitation, care costs, travel expenses, and future financial losses. Our solicitors can give you a clearer estimate once medical evidence and financial details have been reviewed.

You can also read our guide: How much motorcycle accident compensation will I get? (https://www.fletcherssolicitors.co.uk/road-traffic-accident/guides/how-much-motorcycle-accident-compensation-will-i-get/)

Can I claim if the driver was uninsured or it was a hit and run?

Yes. In many cases, claims can still be made through alternative routes such as the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB). Our solicitors can advise you on the best approach for your situation.

How long do I have to make a motorbike accident claim?

In most cases, you have three years from the date of your accident to make a claim. There are some exceptions – for example, where the injured person is a child, or where someone lacks the mental capacity to manage their own legal affairs. If you’re unsure whether you’re still within the time limit, contact us and we’ll advise you during a free initial consultation.

How long does a motorbike accident claim take?

This depends on the complexity of the case and the severity of the injury. Some claims can settle within a few months, while serious injury claims may take longer due to ongoing medical evidence and rehabilitation needs. We’ll keep you informed at every stage so you always know where things stand.

What evidence is used in a motorbike accident claim?

Evidence may include photographs of the scene and your injuries, witness statements, police reports, CCTV or dash-cam footage, medical records, and financial documents such as receipts or proof of lost earnings. Our legal team will gather and review the evidence needed to support your claim.

Who can I make a motorbike accident claim against?

Motorbike accident claims are most commonly made against another driver’s insurer. However, other parties may also be liable – including employers, road maintenance organisations, or local authorities where road defects contributed to the accident.

Can I still claim if I wasn't wearing full protective gear?

In many cases, yes. Not wearing certain protective clothing does not automatically prevent you from making a claim, although it may be taken into account when assessing the extent of some injuries. Our solicitors can advise you on how this might affect your case.

What should I do after a motorbike accident?

If you can, seek medical attention as soon as possible, report the accident to the police, take photographs of the scene and your injuries, collect the details of any witnesses, and keep any receipts or evidence of your losses. Then speak to a specialist motorcycle accident solicitor – the sooner you get advice, the better placed we’ll be to support your claim.

How we choose to use language when addressing road traffic incidents

We believe it is important to use appropriate language that honours accountability, but is also recognisable to those who need us, at the time of seeking support.

It is our choice, where possible, to defer away from the word ‘accident’. Instead, it is our preference to use language that better honours accountability; such as ‘crash’, or ‘collision’. This is important in situations where an innocent party has been seriously injured due to another party’s negligence.

With that said, we also understand that terms like ‘road traffic accident’ are still widely recognised and understood by the general public. You will therefore continue to see these messages when appropriate, so those searching for our support can find it.

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