Motorcycle Accident Claims — No Win, No Fee
Last reviewed: June 2026 · EA Personal Injury Solicitors
Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable road users. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another driver's negligence, you are likely entitled to compensation. EA Personal Injury Solicitors handles rider claims on a no win, no fee basis — if the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation.
TL;DR — Quick Summary
Key Points
- Motorcyclists suffer disproportionately serious injuries in collisions due to their vulnerability
- Other drivers failing to see or give way to motorcyclists is a leading cause of claims
- Compensation covers injuries, lost earnings, motorcycle damage and protective gear
- Uninsured driver claims can be made through the Motor Insurers' Bureau
- No win, no fee — if the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation
Why Motorcycle Accidents Are Often Serious
Motorcyclists lack the protection of a steel frame, airbags and seatbelts that car occupants benefit from. Even at relatively modest speeds, a collision can cause catastrophic injuries including traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, serious orthopaedic injuries, degloving injuries, and in the worst cases, death. The disparity in size and weight between motorcycles and other vehicles means that even a minor impact for a car driver can have devastating consequences for a rider.
This vulnerability means that motorcycle accident claims often involve higher-value compensation than equivalent car accident claims, particularly where injuries are serious and affect the claimant's long-term ability to work and care for themselves.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
- Junction pull-outs — a driver fails to see an approaching motorcycle and pulls out, causing a collision
- Left-turn accidents — a driver turns left across a motorcyclist's path
- Rear-end collisions — a following driver fails to stop in time
- Door-opening accidents — a parked driver opens their door into the path of an oncoming motorcycle
- Overtaking accidents — a car overtakes and cuts back in too soon
- Defective road surfaces — potholes, loose grit and poor road marking that are particularly dangerous for two-wheeled vehicles
- Defective machinery — faulty brakes, tyres or other components causing the rider to lose control
Injuries Motorcyclists Commonly Suffer
- Head and brain injuries — concussion to severe traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injuries — potentially causing partial or complete paralysis
- Fractured limbs — legs, arms and pelvis fractures are common in motorcycle accidents
- Road rash and skin abrasions — can require skin grafting and carry infection risks
- Biker's arm — nerve and muscle damage from instinctive arm-bracing on impact
- Amputation of limbs — in severe accidents
- Psychological trauma — PTSD, anxiety and travel phobia
Evidence in Motorcycle Accident Claims
Strong evidence is vital. Preserve dashcam or helmet cam footage immediately. Photograph your motorcycle, the other vehicle, the road scene, skid marks, any road defects and your injuries. Gather witness details and any police accident report reference. Keep your damaged helmet and protective clothing — do not dispose of them as they may be relevant evidence. Seek medical attention promptly and keep all records.
What Compensation Can Cover
General damages compensate for pain, suffering and loss of amenity. Special damages cover financial losses including: motorcycle repair or total loss replacement, damaged helmet and protective clothing, lost earnings during recovery (and future earning capacity if the injury has lasting effects), rehabilitation and medical treatment, physiotherapy, care costs, and any adaptations needed to your home or vehicle.
In serious injury cases involving brain or spinal cord injury, compensation awards can be very substantial, particularly where future losses form the principal element of the claim.
Typical Compensation Amounts
The figures below are indicative brackets for the injury itself (general damages), based on the Judicial College Guidelines used by courts and insurers in England and Wales. Financial losses such as lost earnings, treatment costs and care (special damages) are claimed in addition, and in serious cases often exceed the injury award.
| Injury | Guideline bracket |
|---|---|
| Simple arm or wrist fracture | c. £6,000–£16,000 |
| Serious leg injury (fractures with lasting effects) | c. £30,000–£90,000 |
| Severe back injury | c. £36,000–£160,000+ |
| Moderate brain injury | c. £40,000–£205,000 |
| Loss of a leg (level-dependent) | c. £90,000–£300,000+ |
These brackets are a guide only — the value of your claim depends on the severity of your injury, your prognosis and your financial losses. We cannot promise or predict a specific outcome. See our full guide to compensation amounts or contact us for a free assessment of your claim.
No Win, No Fee Motorcycle Accident Claims
We fund motorcycle accident claims through a Conditional Fee Agreement. You pay nothing if your claim fails. If the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation. We explain all costs and terms clearly before you agree to anything. After the Event insurance can be arranged to protect against adverse costs.