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Motorcycle accidents are among the most serious incidents on the road. The absence of physical protection exposes riders to a high risk of severe injury. IMD Solicitors LLP has supported many motorcyclists and their families through the legal and practical challenges that follow an accident. Understanding the key steps—protecting yourself, recording evidence, receiving medical treatment, and seeking legal advice—can make a vital difference to both your recovery and any future claim.

Immediate Safety and Emergency Response

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident and remain conscious, your first priority must be safety. Moving yourself away from traffic and removing any vehicles from the carriageway, if possible, reduces the risk of further collisions. Where injuries are significant, waiting in a safe place until emergency services arrive is essential.

An ambulance will attend whenever injuries are reported. Police attendance depends on the circumstances: if the road is obstructed, if vehicles are immobile, or if injuries are serious, officers are likely to be called. In minor collisions, however, the police may not attend. Regardless of their involvement, accurate reporting of the incident is important for insurance and any later legal proceedings.

Statements and Admissions at the Scene

At the accident site, riders often feel shock or disorientation. It is natural to speak openly, but this can cause unintended difficulties. Admitting fault before all facts are known may be interpreted as a formal admission, prejudicing your position in future legal proceedings. The safest approach is to exchange details with the other party without attributing blame. Establishing liability is a matter for solicitors, insurers, and, if necessary, the courts.

Preserving Evidence

Gathering evidence at the scene is very important. If you can, take photographs of the vehicles before they are moved, as this shows exactly how the accident happened. Also capture the damage, any road markings, and the surrounding area. If there are witnesses, ask for their names and phone numbers, as their statements may support your account later. These straightforward steps can make your claim for injury and financial loss much stronger.

Medical Treatment and Documentation

Even if injuries appear minor, medical assessment is strongly advised. Motorcycle collisions often result in delayed symptoms, particularly in cases involving concussion, spinal trauma, or internal injuries. Attending hospital or a GP ensures both that appropriate care is provided and that an official record of the injuries is created. These medical notes later form an important part of the evidential basis for any personal injury claim.

Contacting Your Insurer and Legal Representative

Insurers may propose solicitors from their own panel. However, experience demonstrates that these firms are not always best placed to handle complex or serious injury claims. It is advisable to instruct solicitors with proven expertise in motorcycle accident litigation.

Time Limits for Bringing a Claim

In England and Wales, personal injury claims arising from road traffic accidents must generally be issued within three years of the date of the accident. Exceptions exist for children (where the three-year period begins at age 18) and individuals lacking mental capacity. Despite this period, it is strongly recommended that claims are commenced at the earliest opportunity. Memories fade, evidence is lost, and witnesses become harder to trace with time. Bringing a claim within the first year is preferable, ensuring that evidence remains fresh and reliable.

Heads of Loss in Motorcycle Accident Claims

Compensation in motorcycle accident cases is not limited to the injury itself. Claims can include:

• General damages for pain, suffering, and loss of disability.
• Special damages covering financial losses such as:
  • Loss of earnings, both past and future.
  • Medical expenses, including private treatment and rehabilitation.
  • Travel expenses to and from medical appointments.
  • Care and assistance provided by family members or professional carers.
  • Costs associated with adaptations to housing or transport in cases of serious injury.

Where injuries are life-changing, future loss calculations may extend over decades, making specialist legal input critical.

Partial Liability and Contributory Negligence

Motorcyclists often fear that they may have been partly responsible for an accident and therefore cannot recover damages. In law, this is not the case. Even if the rider is found partly at fault, compensation can still be awarded, reduced by a percentage reflecting contributory negligence. For instance, if a rider was going too fast but another driver pulled out without looking properly, responsibility may be shared between them. Even where fault is divided, compensation in serious injury cases can still provide essential support for medical care and rehabilitation.

Practical Guidance

To summarise the practical steps:

• Prioritise safety and seek emergency assistance.
• Avoid admitting fault until legal advice is obtained.
• Preserve evidence by taking photographs and collecting witness details.
• Obtain immediate medical treatment and ensure injuries are recorded.
• Notify your insurer and contact an experienced solicitor.
• Commence any claim promptly, ideally within the first year.

Conclusion

Motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries with lasting effects. Taking the right steps straight after the collision, together with guidance from a specialist solicitor, is key to receiving fair compensation. IMD Solicitors LLP provides representation for motorcyclists, ensuring that claims are pursued efficiently, evidence is preserved, and the full range of losses is recovered, our solicitors understand both the legal complexities and the practical challenges facing injured riders.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact IMD Solicitors LLP to discuss your options. Initial consultations are free, and early legal advice can make a decisive difference in the outcome of your claim.

This article guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. This article was created on 07/10/2025. Please note that the law may have changed since this article was published.

Call us now to discuss your case 0330 107 0107 or email us at info@imd.co.uk.