What is the Average Payout for a Motorcycle Accident in the UK?
In the UK, the average compensation amount for a motorcycle accident is between £15,000 and £45,000 for substantial but non–catastrophic injuries. However, it’s essential to note that the claim amount can vary depending on the severity of the injury, the pain and suffering caused, and the time it takes for the victim to recover.
If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident as a road user that wasn’t your fault, our compassionate no win, no fee personal injury solicitors are ready to guide you through the motorcycle accident compensation claims process. With motorcycle accidents and fatalities on the rise due to increased traffic, faster and more powerful motorcycles, and a lack of safety gear, it’s never been more important to be aware of your rights when it comes to making a motorbike injury claim
To receive the maximum amount of compensation available for your injuries, financial losses, and suffering, get in touch with Tylers Solicitors today. You won’t have to pay us to start your claim, you’ll only pay if we win your case.
Call 0800 699 0079, fill in our online contact form, or email us at info@tylerssolicitors.co.uk.
Table of Contents
- What is the average compensation for a motorbike accident?
- What factors affect the amount of compensation I could be awarded for my motorbike injury?
- What types of compensation can I claim following a motorbike injury claim?
- How to make a motorcycle accident compensation claim in the UK
- What are the most common types of injury associated with motorbike accidents?
- Get in touch to start your motorcycle accident claim in the UK
What is the average compensation for a motorbike accident?
If you’re wondering how much compensation you can expect to receive for a motorcycle accident, the most substantial yet non-catastrophic motorbike injuries receive between £15,000 and £45,000 in compensation. However, this is an average bracket range, and it completely varies depending on the severity of injuries sustained, loss of earnings, recovery time, and other factors.
If you’d like to know exactly how much you could expect for your motorbike injury, the best thing to do is to call our personal injury solicitors on 0800 699 0079. We can provide you with a precise estimate once we have more information about your accident and the nature of your injuries.
In the meantime, take a look at the compensation amounts set by the Judicial College Guidelines — a reputable framework used for assessing general damages (non-economic losses) in personal injury claims in the UK.
| Head injuries | Minor head injuries: £2,690 to £15,580 Less severe to moderate head injuries: £18,700 to £52,550 Moderately severe head injuries: £267,340 to £344,150 Very severe head injuries: £344,150 to £493,000 |
| Neck injuries | Minor neck injuries: £2,990 to £9,630 Moderate neck injuries: £9,630 to £46,970 Severe neck injuries: £55,500 to £181,020 |
| Abrasions and bruising injuries | £300 to £2,990 |
| Paraplegia (Loss of leg function) | £267,340 to £346,890 |
| Quadriplegia / Tetraplegia (Loss of leg and arm function) | £396,140 to £493,000 |
If you can’t see your motorbike injury listed above, contact our team today for empathetic, professional legal advice.
What factors affect the amount of compensation I could be awarded for my motorbike injury?
When it comes to motorbike injury claims and compensation, it’s important to be aware of the different factors that can increase or decrease your compensation award. As solicitors, we assess each individual on a case by case basis, taking into consideration various factors and circumstances when estimating a compensation amount.
- Injury severity
As a general rule, the more serious your motorbike injuries, the more compensation you are likely to receive. The injuries that tend to receive higher payouts are those that cause long term pain and suffering, disability, scarring, and psychological trauma.
- Impact on life
Has your motorbike injury stopped you from living your usual daily life? Whether it’s affecting your work, social life, or overall happiness, you may be eligible for more compensation.
- Liability and fault
If another person caused the motorbike accident, you are likely to receive full compensation for your injuries. However, if you were partly at fault, your compensation award could be reduced under contributory negligence rules.
- Use of safety gear
Similar to the above, if you weren’t wearing a helmet and the right protective clothing, your compensation award might be reduced.
- Awareness of road conditions
Was your motorbike accident caused by poor road conditions, potholes, neglected oil spills, or unclear or missing signage? Then your local council or another third party could be held liable for your accident. On the other hand, if you knowingly ignored warning signs, your compensation could be reduced as you would be held (at least) partly liable.
- Loss of earnings
If your injuries caused you to be unable to return to work, you may be able to claim for lost earnings under special damages, whether they be past, present, or future.
- Medical costs
Sometimes, motorbike injuries require specialist medical attention, whether through private treatment, physiotherapy, counselling, or even prescription medication. All of these services cost money, so you may be eligible for compensation to cover these special damages (see what types of compensation can I claim following a motorbike injury claim? for more information).
- Other financial losses
Under special damages again, you may be able to claim compensation for:
- Damage to your motorcycle, equipment, or gear
- Travel costs
- Home care
- Insurance excess
- Lost no claims bonus
- Strong witness statements and evidence
We’ll explain the evidence you need to make a motorbike injury claim shortly. But in the meantime, it’s essential to know that the clearer your evidence is, the stronger your claim will be. If your evidence can prove liability beyond doubt, then it may increase the likelihood of a higher compensation award.
This is also why you should reach out to a trusted personal injury solicitor as soon as possible after your motorbike accident. The team at Tylers Solicitors knows the ins and outs of the claims process and will do everything we can to gather the evidence you need for your claim.
What types of compensation can I claim following a motorbike injury claim?
It’s important to note that, when claiming compensation, your financial award is split into two categories: general damages and special damages.
General damages
General damages are any non financial loss you have suffered as a result of your accident. This includes:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Psychological distress, like PTSD or anxiety
- Loss of amenity (the reduction or loss of a person’s ability to enjoy life due to injuries sustained)
The amount awarded for general damages is based on the Judicial College Guidelines, as well as general case law, also known as judge-made law, which follows decisions made in earlier cases.
Special damages
Special damages are financial losses you have experienced due to your accident, and these losses can be past, present, or future (as long as your motorbike accident has caused them in some way). This covers:
- Loss of earnings
- Medical expenses, like those for physiotherapy or counselling
- Travel costs (to and from hospital or doctor’s appointments, for example)
- Motorbike repairs or replacements
- Care and assistance costs (which include costs for adapted accommodation or mobility aids)
The amount awarded for special damages is usually based on evidence such as receipts, payslips, invoices, and forecasts to estimate future losses.
How to make a motorcycle accident compensation claim in the UK
If you’re ready to claim compensation for injuries caused by a motorbike accident, and it wasn’t completely your fault, here are the steps to take.
Step 1: Conducting an initial consultation over the phone
The most important thing in any compensation claim is to seek professional legal advice as soon as possible.
Once you get in touch with us, either via phone, email, or online contact form, a member of our team will be in touch to discuss your accident with you. We’ll ask you questions about your motorcycle accident, what happened, where, when, and about the injuries you’ve sustained.
Using this information, we’ll be able to tell you whether we think you are eligible for compensation, and offer a rough estimate of how much, as well as next steps in the claims process.
Step 2: Gathering your evidence
As we’ve already mentioned, strong evidence is essential in any personal injury claim. At this stage, we will assess any evidence you already have, and help you gather more if needed to strengthen your case.
Some of the best types of evidence for a motorbike accident claim include:
- Photo and video evidence: Photos and videos of your injuries, the accident scene, damage to your vehicle, equipment, or gear, and any contextual factors like road signs or hazards relevant to your claim. This can also include helmet cam or dashcam footage from yourself or a witness.
- Witness statements: This is why it’s essential to note down the contact details of anyone who saw the accident. Their account can add credibility to your claim.
- Police and accident reports: If police attended the scene of your accident, try to acquire a copy of their report. If they didn’t, then it’s always best to report the accident and note down the unique reference number you are given.
- Medical records and reports: After any motorbike accident, it’s important to seek medical attention, as this can support your claim. Some injuries only become apparent after the initial shock of your accident. Keep a copy of any GP or hospital letters, X-rays, prescriptions, and physiotherapy notes if possible.
- Receipts, invoices, and other financial documents: Store proof of any out of pocket costs, whether they be prescription receipts, motorbike repair invoices, or travel to hospital appointments. This also includes invoices for damaged gear and equipment, or documents showing loss of earnings from time off work.
Learn more: What to do after a motorcycle accident
Step 3: Deciding on a fair compensation amount
Using all information available to us, we will work with you to decide on a compensation award that covers all of your general and special damages.
Step 4: Filing your motorbike accident compensation claim
Once you’re happy with the compensation amount, our team will file your claim on your behalf, which includes handling any legalities, paperwork, and negotiations.
Step 5: Representing you in court (if necessary)
When strong evidence is put forward, it’s unlikely that your case will go to court. However, if the liable party disputes liability, our personal injury lawyers will be ready to defend and represent you.
Take a look at our dedicated motorcycle accident compensation claim page for more information about the claims process.
What are the most common types of injury associated with motorbike accidents?
Depending on the speed of the vehicles involved in the collision, motorbike injuries can vary from lucky minor scrapes to those causing life changing disabilities and, in the worst cases, wrongful death.
As personal injury solicitors, these are the most common injuries from motorbike accidents we have seen in our time:
- Broken bones
- Head and brain injuries
- Skin abrasions and lacerations
- Spine injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Leg and foot injuries
- Internal injuries
Get in touch to start your motorcycle accident claim in the UK
Our personal injury solicitors have over 15 years of experience in managing and filing motorcycle accident and injury claims. We promise to treat your case with the utmost care and respect and will do everything possible to grant you the compensation award you deserve.
While money can’t fix your traumatic experience, we hope that any compensation you receive can help towards your recovery. Just take a look at one of our 2018 cases, where we won a motorcyclist £22,000 in compensation for injuries caused by a pothole.
For more information or to start your motorcycle accident claim today, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
