Category: Safety & Compensation

1. Ride smarter this summer: GEM urges motorcyclists to put safety first

   Posted on 11:00am Saturday 30th Jul 2022

   ROAD SAFETY and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is keen to ensure motorcyclists put safety first on rides this summer. At the heart of this call, according to GEM, is a focus on rider skill for those who may be back into biking after a lengthy gap.  

   There were 285 motorcycle fatalities in 2020 (the most recent available figures), with 4,429 seriously injured. Date from recent years consistently shows that ‘born again bikers’ (males aged between 40 and 60) continue to be an over-represented group in collisions.

   GEM chief executive Neil Worth commented: “There’s a lot of satisfaction to be gained from riding a motorcycle with skill and precision. That’s why we’re encouraging riders to give themselves a ‘skills MOT’ which will help ensure they lower the risks they face on journeys – and greatly reduce the likelihood of being involved in a collision.

   “The recent heatwave has placed unprecedented pressure on the already overstretched emergency services this summer, so anything we can all do as road users to avoid adding to this pressure will help save lives.”

   Follow GEM’s simple ‘lifesaver’ safety tips and reduce the risk of being involved in a collision:

   • Invest in a refresher day with a training professional. Search online for motorcycle training days or consult your local club or advanced motorcyclists’ group.
   • Motorbikes are capable of rapid acceleration and high speeds, but if you’re back into biking after a lengthy gap, then your reactions are likely to have slowed down. Typically, a 55-year-old’s reactions will be almost a third slower than those of a 25-year-old.
   • Ensure self-preservation is your priority. The predominant cause of motorcycle crashes is the failure of car drivers to detect and recognise motorcycles in traffic. So, wear high visibility clothing on all journeys, and ride in a way that gives others a better chance of seeing you.
   • Please invest in the best protective equipment you can afford. For example, your helmet should be comfortable and fit correctly (for details of ‘SHARP’, the national helmet safety scheme, visit sharp.dft.gov.uk).
   • Choose boots that are sturdy, well-fitting and above ankle height. Remember, nearly one fifth of all hospital admissions for motorcycling injuries involved broken bones in the lower leg, so providing protection for ankles and feet is vital.
   • On a ride, don’t go beyond your comfort zone, especially if you’re riding in a group. If your friends are cornering too quickly for you, let them go and join them at the next junction.
   • Try not to dwell on your errors as you go along. Plan 10 to 15 seconds ahead, anticipate the next hazards. When you stop for a break, reflect on anything that didn’t go to plan, ask what you have learnt and how you can reduce the chance of the same thing happening again.

   www.motoringassist.com

    

    

    

   article supplied

2. Motorcycle Safety on the Roads

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 27th Jul 2022

   Riding a motorbike is a thrilling experience, but it is also vital that you know how to ride safely as you are a vulnerable road user and motorcycle accidents can be incredibly dangerous. This post will look at a few of the best ways to stay safe while on the roads.

   Wear a Helmet & Protective Clothing   

   Obviously, wearing a helmet is one of the most important steps to take. Not only is wearing a helmet a legal requirement in this country, but you will also find that it provides essential protection for your head if you were to come off the bike. In addition to a helmet, you should also wear other protective clothing such as leathers, goggles and motorcycle boots.

   Keep Your Bike in Good Condition 

   You also want to make sure that your bike is in good condition and roadworthy, which will require carrying out regular maintenance. This will include tasks such as topping up the tyre pressure, checking the lights, cleaning the mirrors and lubricating the chain. In addition to making sure that your bike is safe to ride, this should also prolong the life of the vehicle too. 

   Be Visible to Others 

   As a motorbike rider, you need to make your presence felt on the roads. Motorcyclists often get into accidents and are knocked off their bikes when they are not visible to other road users, so you need to make your presence felt on the road and make sure that you are always visible. If you are involved in an accident that was not your fault, you could look to make a personal injury claim to receive compensation for the damages.  

   Check the Weather Conditions 

   A good habit to get into before setting off on a motorbike is to check the weather forecast. The weather in the UK is unpredictable throughout the year, so it is always worth checking before you set off. Driving in rain and snow can be dangerous for a motorcyclist and you should avoid travelling in these conditions if possible.  

   Avoid Distractions 

   When riding a motorcycle, you must be completely focused at all times and this is all part of the thrill. This means that you need to avoid distractions as even taking your eyes off the road for less than a second could lead to a serious accident. This is why you should put your phone away and never wear headphones while riding. 

   Get Training 

   You will also find it worthwhile getting training so that you can learn how to drive safely and defensively. You can always improve as a motorcyclist and a training course could make a big difference to your abilities (and even bring your insurance down!). 

   Safety is paramount when it comes to riding a motorbike and these tips should help you to stay safe on the roads.  

    

    

    

    

    

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3. Biggest Risks of Motorcycle Riding and How to Avoid Them

   Posted on 11:00am Thursday 23rd Jun 2022

   If you’re travelling by road, then you’re at a small risk of suffering an accident. This risk varies depending on where you’re travelling, and by what vehicle. Statistically speaking, motorcyclists are in the greatest danger. When you’re on two wheels, you’re not only more likely to be involved in a collision – you’re also more likely to suffer injury and death. While you can claim compensation after suffering a serious brain injury, you can’t easily reverse the damage.  

   For motorcyclists, therefore, taking the time to identify the biggest dangers is more than worthwhile. Let’s take a look at a few of the most notorious.

   Biggest Danagers to Motorcyclists on the Road

   Oncoming traffic is undoubtedly the biggest danager that motorcyclists face. If you’re involved in a head-on collision, then you’ll have be exposed to twice the force as if you’d hit the same object at double the speed (assuming that you’re travelling at the same speed as the other vehicle). While passengers and drivers in cars have a lot of protective structures around them, motorcyclists aren’t so fortunate. Even a minor impact can knock you off the bike.

   Junctions are another source of danger. Drivers might not have noticed you – they have multiple demands on their attention when they’re waiting to turn. That’s assuming they haven’t taken the opportunity to take out their phones.

   Overbraking is something that’s likely to throw you over the handlebars. While it might be nececssary to avoid a collission, sudden stopping is something that can pose a danger in itself.

   Car doors are another thing that can take you out when they’re opened unexpecetedly. This is something that’s particularly troubling in cities.

   Finally, we should worry about the condition of the road surface. Grit, gravel and rainwater can all reduce your traction. Gravel in particular can cause the bike to highside – which is a sudden and often deadly rotation of the bike.

   How to Avoid an Accident

   The easiest way to avoid an accident on your bike is to reduce your speed. The slower you’re going, the more easily you’ll be able to react to some of the threats we’ve mentioned.

   You should also be sure that you’re wearing the appopriate safety gear. This includes a helmet, as well as boots, gloves, leathers and body armor.

   You should also be sure that your bike is in good condition. This means regularly assessing your tyre pressures, changing the oils, and testing the brakes. If you’re practiced doing emergency stops. It’ll be less likely that you get thrown off. We should also mention that, in a disproportionate number of motorcycle casualties, drink-driving has been a factor. If you know you’re going to be getting in the saddle, then you should limit your alcohol consumption to zero. Don’t take any chances!

    

    

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4. Over £7 million in compensation to allow young man to maximise recovery

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 20th Apr 2022

   Daniel, aged 16, was a passenger on his dad’s motorbike when he was involved in a collision with a car. He was taken by ambulance to hospital where Glasgow Coma Score increased from 3/15 to 5/15 on arrival. Daniel sustained a severe brain injury, as well as suffering a fracture to the left ankle, an injury to his left hip and contusional lung injuries.

   He remained in various hospitals for a number of months before being admitted to a residential unit, where his rehabilitation was funded by an interim payment of his compensation.

   As a result of his severe brain injury, Daniel’s cognitive function has been severely affected in respect of attention, concentration and memory. He also has physical impairments including restricted mobility.

   Due to his brain injury, Daniel now lacks capacity to handle his financial affairs and there is an increased risk of him developing post-traumatic epilepsy.

   The driver of the vehicle admitted liability and was convicted of driving without due care and attention.

   We were successful in obtaining a compensation award of over £3 million as a lump sum together with an annual payment, payable for life, to enable Daniel to continue to meet the cost of his rehabilitation, therapy and support. The capital value of the settlement was over £7 million.

   Jeanne Evans, Partner within the Personal Injury team here at Potter Rees Dolan, acted for Daniel and said:

   "I had the privilege to act for Daniel. The interim payments of over £500,000 enabled us to secure the specialist therapeutic support needed to maximse his recovery. We achieved a settlement which gives him financial security and the ability to make choices about his future"

   The names and identifying details of the client have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals involved.

    

   Article supplied by Potter Rees Dolan

   

5. Hundreds of thousands in compensation to injured motorcyclist

   Posted on 12:00pm Wednesday 13th Apr 2022

   Multiple serious orthopaedic injuries left 26-year-old unable to continue his employment.

   Ben was riding his motorcycle when he was involved in a collision with a car as the driver had failed to notice him.

   He suffered serious multiple orthopaedic injuries including a burst fracture of a cervical vertebra, a fracture of a metacarpal of his left hand and an abdominal muscle tear.

   Ben was transferred to a hospital where he underwent surgery to stabilise his spinal injury.

   Ben had a plaster cast applied to his left upper limb. He developed contractures of two fingers and nodules on his hand for which he underwent further surgery.

   Ben initially had restricted movement and some stiffness as a result of his orthopaedic injuries. As a result, he found it necessary to obtain more suitable alternative employment.

   The driver’s insurers subsequently admitted liability. Following a round-table meeting and subsequent negotiations, we were able to secure a final award in the sum of £150,000 on Ben’s behalf.

   Helen Shaw, Senior Litigation Manager at Potter Rees Dolan, acted for Ben and said:

   “In cases involving motorcyclists, it is especially important to ensure that all the relevant x-rays or scans are carefully reviewed by a suitable expert, to ensure that no additional injuries have been overlooked.”

   The names and identifying details of the client have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals involved.

    

   Article supplied by Potter Rees Dolan