Motorbike Accident Compensation
Even those who have been riding motorbikes for years are classed as ‘Vulnerable Road Users’ by the Road Safety Authority and may need motorbike accident compensation advice at one time or another.
Those who do are welcome to call our free advice line on 
or leave their contact details for a call back.
Motorcycles do not have the sturdy outer shell which protects those inside a car. They also lack the restraining factor of a safety belt. Even wearing a crash helmet and full biking leathers, the chances are that if you are involved in a collision with a car or other vehicle, you will be injured and possibly injured quite badly.
Motorbike accidents need not involve another car. Oil spills or debris on the road can cause a motorcycle to veer out of control and cause serious injuries or even kill the rider. Motorbikes are also prone to blind spot visibility issues and this can result in accidents when the car driver turns into the bike or opens his door in the biker’s path.
No matter how the accident happened, the first priority is taking care of your immediate injuries and future health. Any obvious contusions, broken bones or life-threatening injuries would have been dealt with at the scene or at the emergency department of the local hospital.
However, many injuries, especially those which are caused by a traumatic impact, will not show up at the scene. Just as deep tissue bruising will not be immediately apparent, symptoms of damage to bone, organs or muscle might take a while to surface. To be sure that these conditions are recognised and treated quickly, you are advised to see your own doctor as soon as possible after the accident.
Both the reports from the hospital or medical team who treated you at the scene and your own doctor’s reports can be used as supporting documentation when preparing your motorbike accident compensation claim.
If the Garda Síochána attended the scene, their report can also be used in support of your claim. If they did not, then you should visit the local station and ask to make a report of the circumstances leading to the accident.
Most insurance policies advise drivers not to admit blame at the scene even if they know that they are completely at fault. There is little point in discussing the circumstances. Instead, make sure that everyone at the scene who needs it receives medical attention. Swap contact details with the driver and, if there are any witnesses, try to get their names and contact details too. If you are carrying a mobile phone snap some pictures of the driver’s car, the general area and your bike.
The time limit on personal injury compensation claims is two years but you should not wait that long before you begin proceedings. In fact, the sooner after the accident you call a solicitor, the better he or she will be able to contact witnesses and prepare your case.
Traffic accident compensation claims are handled by the Injuries Board. It is not necessary to engage a solicitor in order to present a case to the Injuries Board but it is advisable that you do. Unless you have prior compensation claim experience, you will most likely not be able to prepare as powerful a case as your solicitor and you are at risk of accepting a lower entitlement than is fair for your level of pain or suffering.
Call our help line on to speak to an experienced motorbike accident compensation solicitor today.