If you’ve been involved in a motorbike accident that wasn’t your fault, there are a few key things you need to do to ensure you receive the compensation and support you’re entitled to. Here are ten steps to take if you’ve been knocked off your motorbike in a road traffic accident (RTA):
1. Seek medical attention immediately
It’s essential to get checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible. That’s because even if you don’t think you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, some injuries, such as whiplash, may not present symptoms until days or even weeks later.
2. Request a Police Presence
You should also request a police presence when you call for an ambulance. The police will ensure that the accident scene is safe for you and other road users and also make an accident report which your insurance company will request.
3. Collect contact details for any witnesses
if there are any witnesses to your accident, make sure you collect their names, contact details, and testimony. This will be important evidence if you need to make a compensation claim.
4. Take photos of the accident scene
If you can, take photos of the accident scene, including any damage to your bike and your injuries. Although you might think that you’ll remember everything, with the stress of the accident, you may forget key details when asked about them at a later date.
If photos aren’t an option, then taking a quick sketch can help you to remember exactly what happened and where. This will again be useful evidence if you need to make a compensation claim.
5. Make a note of everything that happened
Write down everything you can recall about the accident as soon as possible. This will ensure your memory is fresh when making a compensation claim. It’s also recommended that you keep a diary after the accident. This allows you to keep a note of expenses and the outcomes of medical appointments and calls with insurance companies.
6. Contact your insurance company
You should contact your insurer as soon as possible to let them know about the accident. Many policies have strict requirements that relate to the period of time for reporting an accident, and they may require that your bike is taken to a specific garage for repair.
7. Seek legal advice
if you’re thinking about making a compensation claim, it’s essential to seek legal advice from a specialist solicitor who has experience in dealing with motorbike accident claims. It will also mean that they will complete the following three steps on your behalf.
8. Gather evidence to support your claim
This will include medical reports, witness statements, photos of the accident scene, and other documentation supporting your version of events.
9. Calculate your losses
To make a successful compensation claim, you need to prove that the accident wasn’t entirely your fault and that you’ve suffered financial losses or experienced pain and suffering as a result. This could include loss of earnings, damage to your bike, and medical expenses.
10. Negotiate with the other side
Once you have all the evidence to support your claim, your solicitor will start the process of negotiating with the other driver’s insurance company to try and reach an agreement on the level of compensation you’re entitled to. If an agreement can’t be reached, then your case will proceed to court.
FAQs On Making a Compensation Claim After Your RTA
If you’ve been involved in an RTA when out on your bike, the chances are that you will incur some expenses. That might be to repair the damage to your bike, loss of earnings, or to pay for care while you recuperate.
Compensation is a way of helping you cover those costs, as well as recognizing the pain and suffering you may have experienced. Here are answers to some commonly asked questions on compensation claims after an RTA.
Do I Need a Legal Advisor to Make a Claim?
Having a legal advisor when making a personal injury claim is not compulsory, but it is highly recommended. The claims process can be complex and confusing, and having an experienced solicitor on your side will give you the best possible chance of success.
What Are My Chances of Winning a Compensation Claim?
The chances of winning a compensation claim vary depending on the individual circumstances of each case. However, if you have good evidence to support your claim and can prove that the accident wasn’t your fault, then you should have a good chance of success.
How Much Compensation Will I Receive?
Again, this depends on the individual circumstances of each case. The compensation you’re entitled to will depend on the severity of your injuries, the financial losses you’ve incurred as a result of the accident, and any other relevant factors to your case.
The elements that are included within your claim may include the following –
- Bike repair or replacement
- Loss of earnings
- Medical treatment
- Psychological suffering
- Care and assistance
- Loss of future earnings.
Compensation may also be awarded for any out-of-pocket expenses you have incurred due to the accident.
When Should I Make a Claim?
You usually have three years from the date of the accident to make a personal injury claim. However, it’s always best to seek legal advice as soon as possible after an accident so that your solicitor has enough time to gather evidence and build a strong case on your behalf.
What Are ‘No Win No Fee’ Motorbike Accident Claims?
When it comes to making a personal injury claim, one of the main concerns people have is the cost. Many people worry that they won’t be able to afford to pay for a solicitor, but this doesn’t have to be the case.
Many claims specialists offer a ‘no win, no fee’ service, meaning you won’t have to pay a penny upfront to start your claim. Instead, the fees will only be payable if and when your case is successful, and this will be taken as a percentage of your overall compensation award.
