Specialist injury lawyer sees spike in bike and motorbike accidents

Yet despite this, long summer nights between June and the September bring many serious casualties year after year – with the actions and mistakes of those not on bikes, but on other vehicles on the roads, often the cause.

It is why at this time of the year, specialists at Hudgell Solicitors find themselves supporting an increasing number of people who have suffered serious injuries on the roads, working to set them on the road to recovery.

And Jane Woodcock, head of personal injury at the firm, says it is a time when both motorbike and cycling enthusiasts must take extra care.

“It’s something of a misconception that motorbike accidents mainly happen in the worst weather conditions,” she said.

“Statistics have repeatedly shown that the vast majority of motorcycle accidents actually happen in excellent weather conditions, when riders like to get out and enjoy the open country roads.

Common cause

Most accidents with bikes involve drivers failing to spot them .Studies have also shown that in as many as 60% of accidents between motorcycles and other vehicles , a ‘traffic scanning’ error has happened – meaning that drivers of other vehicles have failed to detect a motorcyclist.

These are known as a ‘looked but failed to see’ accidents, and are common mistakes even for motorists with relatively high levels of driving experience

Advanced rider Paul Ferris had more than four decades experience when he suffered a broken leg when hit by a taxi which cut across his lane.

He needed to have his leg plated and pinned to treat the fracture to his upper shin and was off work for four months as he recovered from his injuries.

“As a motorbike rider you have to be aware of what everybody else is doing, and I am,” he said.

“Other drivers naturally don’t look for small objects like bikes though as the eye naturally looks for cars, buses and lorries. It is why I have always been a careful rider, but this still happened to me so it can happen to anyone.”

Mr Ferris received a £60,000 damages settlement after being supported by Hudgell Solicitors, money that helped him hugely as he was forced to spend a third of the year off work.

Mrs Woodcock says her firm handles too many cases of fatalities on the roads each and every year, and naturally, those on two wheels, at greater risk.

“Motorcyclists and cyclists are not protected as well as others on the roads and therefore, when there are accidents, the injuries suffered are often more serious and much more likely to be life-changing,” she said.

‘’No amount of compensation can lessen the hurt and devastation of losing a loved one in a tragic accident, and that is something we see all too often.”

If you have been involved in a road traffic accident and need some advice call Hudgell Solicitors on 0808 2713744 or visit www.hudgellsolicitors.co.uk