Motorcycle Accident Claims

What Motorcycle Accident Claims Can Cover

Motorcycle accident claims go far beyond compensation for your immediate injuries. A well-structured claim can recover losses across every part of your life that has been affected.

Compensation in motorcycle accident claims typically covers:

• General damages — for the pain, suffering, and loss of amenity caused by your injuries
• Loss of earnings — both past income lost since the accident and future earning capacity if you can no longer work in the same role or your ability to work is restricted.
• Care and assistance — the cost of paid care or the value of care provided by family members
• Rehabilitation costs — physiotherapy, occupational therapy, neurological rehabilitation, and psychological support for example
• Adaptations to your home or vehicle — if your injuries require structural changes to how you live or restrict your mobiliy
• Prosthetics and specialist equipment — where amputation or permanent disability is involved
• Travel and medical expenses — including ongoing treatment costs
• Fatal accident claims — where a motorcycle accident has resulted in a bereavement, we support families through fatal accident and dependency claims

The value of a claim depends on the nature and severity of your injuries, your financial losses, and your long-term care needs. Cases involving catastrophic injuries, particularly brain injuries, spinal injuries, amputations, or severe orthopaedic injuries, often involve seven-figure settlements.

Serious Injuries Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Handle:

Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable road users. When an accident happens, the injuries sustained are frequently severe. Our motorcycle accident lawyers have extensive experience handling claims involving:

Brain and Head Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries are among the most complex and life-altering consequences of a motorcycle accident. Even with a helmet, the force of a collision can cause diffuse axonal injury, subdural haematoma, or acquired brain injury with long-term cognitive, physical, and behavioural effects. These cases demand solicitors who understand the medical evidence, the long-term prognosis, and how to value losses that extend decades into the future. Our team works closely with leading neurological experts to build the strongest possible case for our clients.

Spinal Injuries and Paralysis

Spinal cord injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents can result in partial or complete paralysis, paraplegia or tetraplegia, with profound consequences for independence, employment, and quality of life. Claims of this nature require detailed consideration of lifetime care costs, accommodation needs, assistive technology, and loss of future earnings and pension. We have significant experience securing substantial settlements for clients with spinal injuries, and we work with specialist spinal injury charities and rehabilitation providers throughout the process.

Amputation Claims

The loss of a limb in a motorcycle accident, whether above or below the knee, or involving an upper limb, requires specialist legal representation. A successful claim must account for the cost of prosthetics over a lifetime, the impact on your career and daily life, and the psychological consequences of limb loss. Our solicitors are experienced in amputation cases and work with specialist medical and occupational experts to ensure every loss is properly valued.

Serious Orthopaedic Injuries

Many motorcycle accidents result in severe fractures, including pelvic fractures, complex leg fractures, and multiple orthopaedic injuries, that require prolonged treatment, multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation. Where injuries result in permanent disability or long-term pain, we ensure that the lasting impact on your life is fully reflected in your claim.

Facial and Sensory Injuries

Severe facial injuries, including those affecting sight or hearing, can have profound effects on wellbeing, confidence, and the ability to work. Our team handles claims involving facial disfigurement and sensory loss with sensitivity and with rigorous attention to the full extent of your losses.

Fatal Motorcycle Accidents

Where a motorcycle accident has resulted in a fatality, we provide compassionate support to bereaved families. We handle claims under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976 and the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1934, recovering dependency losses, bereavement awards, and funeral expenses. We understand this is an incredibly difficult time, and we guide families through the legal process with care.

How We Handle Motorcycle Accident Claims

Our approach is straightforward: we focus on securing the best possible outcome while taking as much of the burden away from you as we can.

1. Free initial consultation: We discuss the circumstances of your accident, your injuries, and whether you have a viable claim. There’s no obligation and no charge for this conversation.
2. Building your claim: We gather the evidence that matters, police reports, medical records, witness statements, dashcam footage, and expert reports where needed. In serious injury cases, we often instruct liability and medical experts at an early stage. This groundwork is essential; we’ve found that insurers look much harder at claims that arrive backed by comprehensive expert evidence.
3. Interim payments where needed: In serious injury cases, you may need financial support long before your claim settles, for immediate rehabilitation, care costs, or loss of earnings. We pursue interim payments on your behalf to ensure your needs are met during the claim.
4. Rehabilitation and support: We work with the Rehabilitation Code to ensure you access the right treatment and rehabilitation at the earliest opportunity. Your recovery matters, not just your compensation.
5. Settlement or court proceedings: Most claims settle without going to court. Where they don’t, our experienced litigators are fully prepared to represent you at trial. We keep you informed throughout and never pressure you into accepting less than your case is worth.
6. After settlement: For larger settlements, we can refer you to our Personal Injury Trust and Wealth Management teams to help you manage your compensation effectively for the long term.

Why Choose Nelsons as Your Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

• Nationally recognised serious injury expertise: Nelsons is consistently ranked by both The Legal 500  and Chambers and Partners for serious and catastrophic personal injury work, recognised specifically for expertise in brain injuries, spinal injuries, and complex road traffic accident claims and is Commended in The Times Best Law Firms.
• Members of specialist panels: Our team holds membership of the Motor Accident Solicitors Society (MASS), the Law Society Personal Injury Panel, and the Headway-accredited Head Injury Solicitor scheme, specialist memberships held only by experienced expert personal injury solicitors.
• No win, no fee: We handle the majority of motorcycle accident claims on a conditional fee basis, meaning you pay nothing if your claim is unsuccessful.
• Rehabilitation from day one: We don’t wait for a settlement to start thinking about your recovery. We actively facilitate access to rehabilitation and interim financial support throughout your claim.
• A team that understands motorcyclists: We’re experienced in the arguments insurers use against riders, including allegations of contributory negligence and speed, and how to counter them effectively.
• Offices across the East Midlands: Our personal injury solicitors are based in Derby, Leicester, and Nottingham, with face-to-face appointments available at all three offices, or home or hospital visits if needed.

Ready to Discuss Your Claim?

If you’ve been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, or you’re supporting someone who has, we’re here to help. Our motorcycle accident lawyers offer a free initial consultation with no obligation.

Call us free on 0800 024 1976 or complete our online enquiry form, and we’ll be in touch quickly.