Motorbike Accident Claims Solicitors
Motorcyclists are exempt from the 2021 whiplash reforms — most bikers don’t know this
If you were injured on a motorcycle or as a pillion passenger in England, your claim is not forced through the same whiplash tariff and higher small-claims rules that apply to many car-occupant soft-tissue claims after the 2021 reforms. Motorcyclists and pillion passengers remain able to instruct a solicitor and pursue the claim in the normal way. That difference matters for evidence, rehabilitation, bike and gear losses, and the overall handling of your case.
Cooper Hall Solicitors helps riders and pillion passengers across England after road collisions caused by another driver’s negligence. Free, confidential assessment. No Win No Fee funding where appropriate. Call 0333 777 5001 or use the form below.
Motorbike accident claims across England
From filter-lane squeezes and junction turns to rear-end collisions and left-hook manoeuvres, motorcycle crashes often cause more serious harm than equivalent car impacts. We act for riders and pillion passengers injured on England’s roads — whether the other vehicle was a car, van, HGV, bus or another bike.
We are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA number 639467), with offices in Bradford BD7 1HR and Blackburn BB2 2DH, and we represent clients across England.
Why bike and pillion claims sit outside the whiplash reforms
- You can usually instruct a solicitor to run the injury claim in the ordinary way.
- You are not locked into the Official Injury Claim portal pathway that applies to many car-occupant soft-tissue claims.
- Serious injuries, bike and kit damage, hire costs and future losses can be investigated and valued properly with medical and other expert evidence.
If an insurer or claims handler suggests your motorcycle injury “must” go through the car-occupant process, check with us before you accept that.
Bike damage, riding gear and hire bikes
A motorcycle claim is rarely only about soft-tissue injury. Where evidenced and reasonably incurred, special damages can include:
- Motorcycle repairs or write-off — repair invoices, engineer reports, or market value if the bike is beyond economic repair.
- Riding gear — helmets, leathers, gloves, boots, armour and other kit damaged in the collision.
- Hire bikes / alternative transport — reasonable cost of a hire motorcycle (or other transport) while yours is repaired or replaced, subject to need, duration and rate arguments insurers often raise.
- Storage, recovery and related outlay — where these flow from the accident.
Keep photos of the bike and gear, receipts, and any hire agreement. We chase these heads of loss alongside the injury claim.
Hit-and-run and uninsured drivers — MIB claims
If the driver flees or has no valid insurance, you may still have a route to compensation through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) for untraced or uninsured driver claims. Report the incident to the police as soon as you can, note the location and time, and preserve any dashcam, CCTV leads or witness details.
Riders and pillion passengers are unprotected compared with car occupants. Claims we see include:
- Fractures to limbs, pelvis, clavicle and ribs
- Road rash and soft-tissue injuries
- Head and brain injury (even with a helmet)
- Spinal injury and nerve damage
- Shoulder, knee and joint injuries needing surgery or long rehab
- Psychological injury, including anxiety about returning to the road
Where injuries are life-changing, see also our serious injury claims page and the dedicated pages for brain, spinal, amputation and severe burns claims.
What compensation can include
There is no fixed price list for motorbike accident claims. Valuation is case-specific. For pain, suffering and loss of amenity, solicitors and courts commonly use the Judicial College Guidelines as a reference, together with medical evidence and comparable case law. We do not publish guideline bands or predicted settlement figures on this page.
A claim may include, where evidenced:
- General damages — pain, suffering and loss of amenity from your physical and psychological injuries.
- Special damages — lost earnings and pension impact, care and assistance, treatment and rehabilitation, travel, bike and gear losses, hire costs, and other financial losses caused by the accident.
- Future losses — ongoing care, reduced earning capacity, or further surgery where the evidence supports it.
This page does not guarantee compensation or any particular amount. Other clients’ outcomes do not predict yours.
Time limits for motorbike accident claims in England
This is general information about limitation in England, not formal legal advice.
- Usual rule: many adults have three years from the date of the accident to start a court claim.
- Children: if the injured person was under 18, the three-year period generally runs from their 18th birthday.
- Lack of capacity: if someone lacks mental capacity to conduct litigation, different rules can apply.
- Fatal claims: where a loved one has died, estate and dependant claims have specific time limits — seek advice promptly.
Motorbike accident claims — frequently asked questions
Are motorcyclists exempt from the 2021 whiplash reforms?
Yes. Motorcyclists and pillion passengers are outside the whiplash tariff and the higher small-claims limit that apply to many car-occupant soft-tissue claims after the 2021 reforms. Motorcycle injury claims are generally handled in the usual way with a solicitor, including where injury value would otherwise have fallen into the small-claims track for other road users.
Can I still claim if I wasn’t wearing full protective gear?
Often yes. Not wearing a full set of protective clothing does not automatically stop a claim. Insurers may argue contributory negligence if missing gear worsened a particular injury, but that is assessed on the facts. Helmet use has its own rules. Speak to us before assuming you cannot claim.
What if the other driver was uninsured or fled the scene?
You may still be able to claim through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) for injuries and certain losses caused by uninsured or untraced drivers. Report the incident to the police promptly and keep any dashcam, witness or scene details you have.
Can I claim for bike damage, riding gear and a hire bike?
How long do I have to bring a motorbike accident claim in England?
Many adults have three years from the date of the accident to start court proceedings. Different rules can apply for children (usually from the 18th birthday) and where the injured person lacks mental capacity. Fatal claims have specific time limits. Contact us early so we can check your position.
Is a motorbike claim available on a No Win No Fee basis?
Where appropriate, yes. We explain Conditional Fee Agreements, any success fee and insurance before you proceed. An initial assessment is free and without obligation.
Request a free assessment of your motorbike accident claim
Tell us briefly what happened — rider or pillion, date, injuries, and whether the other driver was identified. Enquiries are confidential. Call 0333 777 5001, Bradford 01274 488877, or Blackburn 01254 943385, or email enquiries@cooperhallsolicitors.co.uk.
If another road user’s negligence left you injured on a bike, we are here to explain your options — including the whiplash-reform exemption that many riders never hear about — with No Win No Fee options where appropriate.
Cooper Hall Solicitors handles personal injury and road traffic claims for clients across England. We are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA number 639467), with offices in Bradford BB2 2DH and Blackburn BB2 2DH. Related reading: road traffic accident claims and personal injury.