What This Guide to Motorcycle Compensation Will Cover
Our professional solicitors specialise in motorcycle accident compensation claims across the UK, covering motorbikes, pedal bikes and e-scooters. We are dedicated to helping accident victims receive the compensation they need to get their lives back on track. We also support motorcyclists in recovery, helping them rehabilitate and recover from their physical and emotional injuries.
This guide will teach you more about the compensation you could receive from a motorbike accident, how compensation is calculated, and how to make a claim. We have also provided several case study examples of other motorcyclists who received damages following their accidents.
- Start Your Claim
- Compensation Calculator
- How Motorbike Compensation Is Determined
- The Process of Getting Motorcycle Accident Compensation
- Why Motorcyclists Are More at Risk
- Making a Motorbike Compensation Claim
- Frequently Asked Questions
Start Your Claim for Motorcycle Accident Compensation
Before we get into how much you can claim for a motorcycle accident, every accident is different. Many variables can affect the UK’s average payout for motorcycle accidents. For accurate information, we recommend you seek advice from our specialist solicitors. We can offer a precise estimation of how much you may receive based on your circumstances. Click the button to start your motorcycle compensation claim with free, no-obligation advice if you’ve suffered an injury.
Compensation Calculator for Motorcycle Accidents
Are you wondering how much motorcycle accident compensation you can claim for an injury (including pedal bikes and e-scooters)? This complete guide is brought to you by experienced national solicitors specialising in helping clients with motorcycle accident claims. However, any figures in this guide should be seen as guidance rather than official advice. Please be aware that this compensation calculator will also be of use to pedal bike riders and e-scooter riders as the nature and similarity of the injuries in an accident will usually be the same. There may be some dynamic differences with higher power from motorcycles, but largely, they are the same.
Injuries Involving Paralysis
| Injury Type | Min | Max |
| Quadriplegia | £262,350 | 340,000 |
| Paraplegia | £180,000 | £240,000 |
Impotence
| Injury Type | Min | Max |
| Total in young males | £116,000 | £128,000 |
| Middle aged males with children | £34,000 | £65,000 |
Sterility
| Injury Type | Min | Max |
| Most severe cases (younger claimants) | £92,950 | £136,950 |
| Moderate | £14,520 | £29,700 |
| Minor to moderate (much older males) | £13,800 | £15,180 |
Pelvis and Hip Injuries
| Injury Type | Min | Max |
| Severe | £63,360 | £105,875 |
| Moderate (dislocations/impotence) | £21,505 | £31,625 |
| With leg instability, hip replacement | £10,175 | £21,505 |
| With some permanent disability | £3,190 | £10,175 |
| Minor to moderate | £2,900 | £3,190 |
Leg Injuries
| Injury Type | Min | Max |
| Total loss of both legs | £194,700 | £227,975 |
| Below-knee amputation of both legs | £162,800 | £218,350 |
| Above-knee amputation of one leg | £84,700 | £111,100 |
| The most serious injuries short of amputation | £77,825 | £110,000 |
| Serious leg injuries | £44,330 | £68,365 |
| With multiple fractures, limited movements | £22,440 | £31,680 |
| Fractures with incomplete recovery | £13,200 | £14,520 |
| Simple fractures | £7,370 | £11,385 |
Knee Injuries
| Injury Type | Min | Max |
| Severe, with disruption of the joint | £56,375 | £77,770 |
| Moderate, permanent injury | £42,130 | £56,375 |
| With some instability or deformity | £11,900 | £21,500 |
| With dislocation, torn cartilage, wasting | £7,500 | £13,500 |
| Minor injuries | £1,000 | £7,500 |
Ankle Injuries
| Injury Type | Min | Max |
| Severe with deformity and degeneration | £25,000 | £35,000 |
| Moderate with some instability | £16,000 | £25,000 |
| With ligament tears, metal work, scarring | £6,500 | £13,500 |
| Minor undisplaced fractures, some scarring | £1,000 | £6,500 |
Achilles Tendon
| Injury Type | Min | Max |
| Severe with restriction of movement | £18,500 | £20,000 |
| Serious with some limitation of movement | £12,500 | £15,500 |
| Moderate with no significant disability | £7,500 | £9,000 |
| Minor soft tissue | £1,000 | £5,000 |
Foot Injuries
| Injury Type | Min | Max |
| Amputation of both feet | £85,000 | £100,000 |
| Amputation of one foot | £42,000 | £55,000 |
| Severe with permanent disability | £42,000 | £55,000 |
| Severe with substantial restriction on mobility | £23,000 | £34,000 |
| Serious with multiple operations | £12,500 | £20,000 |
| With displaced fractures, some deformity | £6,750 | £12,500 |
| Simple fractures, puncture wounds | £3,000 | £6,750 |
Toe Injuries
| Injury Type | Min | Max |
| Amputation of all toes | £18,500 | £28,250 |
| Amputation of the great toe | £14,000 | £15,000 |
| Crush injury just short of amputation | £6,750 | £14,000 |
| Moderate toe fractures | £1,000 | £6,750 |
Some of the most common motorbike injury compensation awards relate to lower and upper limbs. The Judicial Studies Guidelines have been developed to help the courts and solicitors calculate motorbike injury claims. The guide can only offer guidance for ballpark figures, but individual cases will be considered when assessing the value of your motorbike compensation claim.
The amount of compensation for your motorcycle injury claim will depend on the seriousness of your injuries, which is determined by the following:
- The period of pain and suffering - the longer the suffering, the greater the compensation
- The extent of the impact of the motorbike injury on your quality of life
- Psychological injury?
- Permanent or temporary injury?
- Scarring tissue?
- Any other relevant factor
Please note that this motorcycle accident compensation calculator applies to all types of personal injury claims and not just motorbike accidents. The number of damages our solicitors will require for a motorcycle injury settlement figure in an out-of-court settlement will depend upon the seriousness of the injuries and the impact on your quality of life. So a leg fracture, for instance, will be worth the same compensation payout, whether caused by a motorcycle accident or a slip at work. With all that said, this motorbike compensation calculator will provide a rough guide on the average compensation for a motorcycle accident. We also have a guide for examples of motorcycle crash settlements in the UK.
How Is a Motorbike Compensation Claim Award Determined?
The amount of motorcycle injury compensation a motorcyclist can claim in a road traffic accident will be determined by a judge who will award damages depending on the injury's extent, the pain and suffering level, and the duration. The longer the suffering, the greater the compensation paid for the motorcycle injury claim at or out of court. The judge will also consider the claimant's age, sex and any pre-existing conditions or illness that may be affected.
As well as physical condition, the judge will consider any mental anguish, mental health or psychological trauma such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Where serious injuries result in scarring, a plastic surgeon may be required to assess the level of scarring tissue and determine if any surgery or cosmetic intervention can reduce the appearance of the scarring. Generally, more compensation payouts are made to females than males if scarring is permanent, especially to the face, legs and arms, all of which are visible.
The charts and diagrams above indicate motorbike injury compensation payouts you may receive if you are potentially successful in your motorbike crash claim following an accident. In addition to the damages awarded by the court, you may also claim the following losses:
- Compensation for the damage to your motorcycle
- Damage to your helmet or replacement
- Damage to your clothing or replacement
- Loss of earnings, bonuses and holiday time
- Medical costs
- Rehabilitation costs
- Care and helper costs
- Any other losses as a direct result of your injury
The Process of Getting Motorcycle Accident Compensation
A motorcycle accident compensation claim may seem like a daunting and prolonged experience. However, one of the benefits of appointing a specialist firm like ours is that we do all the hard work for you so you can focus on recovering. This brings us to the first point when starting the process of claiming. The first stage is thoroughly researching your options to help you seek a solicitor with the skills, experience, trust and friendly approach to guide you. The ultimate goal is to find someone who removes the hassle of claiming, helps you receive the treatment and care you need to recover, wins your case, and gets you the maximum compensation possible. You should feel at ease with your chosen firm and be able to resolve any queries as and when you have them. It can be an emotionally and physically challenging time, so we know how vital it is to be friendly, personable, and supportive throughout the process. Most solicitors should offer an initial free, no-obligation consultation; from there, you should have a good idea of whether they are right for you.
When you have hired a solicitor to work on your claim, they will immediately begin to build a case on your behalf. The aim of the solicitors is to show that the other party was fully or partially responsible for the motorcycle accident and that you should be entitled to a certain amount of compensation due to the effects it had on you. The firm will gather as much evidence as possible to satisfy these two conditions. Evidence may include witness statements, photographs and videos of the accident scene and your injuries, medical records, and police reports. The evidence should prove liability and the severity of your injuries, treatment costs, loss of earnings, and other crucial factors.
After collecting the evidence, the solicitors will value your claim and submit a Claim Notification Form detailing the accident and allegations against the other party. Their insurance company will receive the form and must admit or deny liability. If they deny responsibility, the case will go to court, and a judge will decide. If they accept responsibility, your solicitors will attempt to negotiate the motorcycle accident compensation you should receive. If there isn't a compensation agreement, this will go to court. Rest assured, most cases are usually settled out of court, and your solicitors will handle the paperwork and negotiation process.
When your solicitors win your case and have reached a motorcycle accident compensation agreement, the final part of the process is for you to receive the payout. The other party's insurance company will be responsible for delivering the compensation. In many cases, motorcycle compensation is usually paid around a month after reaching the agreement.
Speak to Our Specialist Solicitors
Why Motorcyclists Are More at Danger Than Other Road Users
If you have suffered an injury in a motorbike accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be able to make a motorbike crash claim. We understand that obtaining compensation for motorbike injury claims can involve complex and factual specialist knowledge. Motorcyclists often suffer very serious and potentially life-changing injuries if they are involved in a motorbike accident and are particularly at risk from injuries as they are more exposed and have less protection than other motorists. This lack of protection in the form of features such as headrests and seatbelts has contributed to the higher rates of injuries and fatalities amongst motorcyclists compared with any other group of road users. Although motorcyclists represent only 1% of traffic on the UK’s roads, they account for 19% of the deaths and serious accidents reported each year. Find out more about fatal motorbike accidents in our dedicated guide.
We recognise that riding a motorbike is a very different experience to driving a car and that a completely different set of considerations come into play when representing a motorcyclist who has been involved in an accident. Our principal solicitor, Ronnie Hutcheon, has over 27 years of experience in dealing with compensation for these type of claims and has represented clients involved in motorbike accidents with complicated circumstances and on a national basis.
The injuries sustained in motorbike accidents range from minor to catastrophic and in many cases, the motorbike gets damaged beyond repair. Claiming for compensation allows motorcyclists to be compensated for all losses caused by either the driver or local authority’s negligence including personal injuries, damages to the motorbike, loss of earnings, other expenses and any of these losses that are likely to continue into the future.
Making a Motorcycle Accident Compensation Claim
If you believe you have a claim for motorcycle accident compensation, call our experienced team of solicitors on 0151 724 7121 or complete the contact form for a free, initial conversation. We will be in touch to discuss your specific situation, explain the average compensation for your motorcycle accident, and see how we can help process your motorcycle injury claim. We offer a No Win, No Fee policy, which means you will obtain 100% of the compensation paid directly to you. We are based in Liverpool but serve clients across the United Kingdom.
Frequently Asked Questions for Motorcycle Compensation
We hope this guide has answered many of your queries on motorcycle accident compensation, but if not, please see some answers to frequently asked questions below. Contact us if you have any other questions not listed.
What does No Win, No Fee mean?
All our motorcycle accident compensation claims are dealt with under a No Win, No Fee policy. This policy means that you will only pay our solicitor fees if your claim is successful. No Win, No Fee is legal protection insurance that helps us process your claim without requiring any fees from you. You shouldn't have to worry about paying our fees in the unlikely event that the claim is unsuccessful. There are no upfront charges or hidden prices. We're committed to helping you win the damages you deserve.
What if I'm partly responsible?
You may still be able to make a motorcycle compensation claim even if you hold some responsibility for the accident as long as another party is also responsible. We will help you build a strong case highlighting the effects of the accident on your life. The case will consider the percentage of your responsibility, and any compensation will reflect this. Therefore, while accepting partial liability can reduce the damages awarded to you, pursuing compensation can remain helpful. We can advise on this scenario in further detail during the initial no-obligation consultation.
What's the average compensation for a motorcycle accident?
As explained above, several factors can influence the compensation you will receive. Therefore, we cannot provide a single figure showing the average compensation. Motorcycle compensation can range anywhere between £100s to £100,000s! The tables above show the average compensation payouts for specific injuries following a motorcycle accident. The more injuries you have and the greater their severity, the more compensation you will receive. Other damages, including expenses, will also affect the overall payout. If you've been involved in a motorcycle accident, we highly recommend contacting us to receive an estimation of how much compensation you could be due based on your situation.
Can I claim motorcycle compensation on behalf of a family member?
We do everything we can to support victims of motorcycle accidents to help them recover and receive compensation, but we recognise there are some situations where they may be unable to make a claim themselves. A family member may be appointed to claim for their loved one. One example is through a 'power of attorney', which gives legal entitlement for someone to make decisions on behalf of another person because they're unable to or no longer want to. An appointed representative may be able to claim for someone if they have a physical or mental disability, whether it was caused by the accident or not, that leaves them unable to claim. Motorbike accidents can be severe, so injuries like brain damage that render the victim incapable of functioning for themselves can be common. If someone has died following a motorcycle accident, families can claim to cover things like medical fees, funeral expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of dependency.
Case Studies
Mrs. Walton’s Claim - Pillion Motorcycle Accident Rider
- Cracked and broken ribs
- Collapsed right lung
- Broken leg
- Multiple scratches and grazes
- Psychological damage, including nightmares and reliving the accident
Mr. Connors' Claim - Car Collision
Mr. Finnis’ Claim - Unable to Work
Mr. Leesmith’s Claim - Knee Amputation
88 Sessions of Intensive Physiotherapy Example
Accident At a Junction Example - £218,404.41
- Pain and suffering : £37,500
- Past loss of earnings: £2,845.36
- Knee replacement surgery: £8,500
- Revision knee surgery: £8,704.80
- Loss of future earnings: £86,114.05
- Loss of pension: £64,470
- Loss of widow’s pension: £4,687.40
- Loss of life insurance: £5,582.80
Pedestrian Aged 29, Multiple Injuries (2012) - £50,000
- Severe Head and Brain Trauma (Subdural Hematoma – Bleed on Brain) – Valued to £10,670
- Back and Spinal Injury (Fracture of Vertebrae) – Valued at £23,210
- Pelvic Injury (Fracture of Pelvis & Diastasis of Pelvis) – Valued £6,440
- Bruising to Face, Torso and Limbs – Valued at £580 to £1,160
- Scarring to Pelvis, Head, Shoulder, Leg and Ankle – Valued at £11,500
- Feelings of Weakness
- Mobility Issues (Use of Crutches)
- Assistance Required for Everyday Tasks
- Rehabilitation (Physiotherapy)
- Chronic Headaches
Car Driver Drives Across Motorcyclists Path (2011) - £152,849
- Leg Injuries (Fractured Tibia & Knee, Thigh Laceration) – Valued at £12,400 to £21,890
- Shoulder Injuries (Soft Tissue Damage & Subacramonial Impingement) – Valued at £2,050 to £3,630
- Back Injuries (Fracture of Central Posterior) – Valued at £6,600 to £10,450
Injuries to Pelvis and Hands (2010) - £55,000
- Pelvic Injury (Unstable Pelvic Fracture) – Valued at £3,000 to £6,440
- Hand Injuries (Dislocation of Hands & Thumbs) – Valued at £4,510 to £11,110
- Medical Procedures (Blood Transfusion)
- Mobility Issues (Use of Crutches) Chronic Pain (Arthritis & Pelvic Pain) – Valued at £17,600 to £32,180 Rehabilitation (Physiotherapy) Scarring from Surgeries Loss of Dexterity (Restriction of Thumb Use) Possibility of Future Surgeries for Pain Relief
Multiple Injuries to Spine, Head, Pelvis, Leg and Hand (2008) - £3m
- Spinal Injury (Fractured Spine) – Valued at £76,120 to £134,590
- Head Injury (Fractured Skull) – Valued at £10,670 to £15,000
- Pelvis Injury (Fractured Pelvis) – Valued at £65,560 to £109,450
- Leg Injury (Broken Legs) – Valued at £45,840 to £70,700
- Hand Injuries (Dislocated Wrist & Hands) – Valued at £22,630 to £44,260
- Bladder Problems (Incontinence & Urinary Infections) – Valued up to £117,700
- Mobility Issues (Use of Wheelchair & Crutches, Paraplegia) – Valued at £183,150 to £237,600
- Impotence – Valued up to £124,030
- Chronic Pain (Arthritis)
- Rehabilitation (Hydrotherapy & Acupuncture)
- Psychological Issues (Required Support and Management) – Valued at £50,050 to £84,150
Struck by Car, Knee Injury (2007) - £42,000
- Knee Injury (Ruptured Ligament) – Valued at £21,890 to £39,000
- Mobility Issues (Difficulty Walking, Climbing Stairs etc.)
- Unable to Work (Previously a Mechanic)
- Possible Complications (Risk of Arthroplasty)
Minor Arm and Leg Injuries (2006) - £3,500
- Arm Injuries (Abrasions) Leg Injuries (Abrasions)
Female Injured Riding Pillion (2006) - £42,000
- Cognitive Impairment
- Fatigue & Tiredness
- Poor Short-Term Memory
- Poor Attention Span
Spinal and Back Injury (2001) - £8,000
- Spinal Injury (Cervical Spine Bruising)
- Back Injury (Stiffness and Bruising)
- Lack of Mobility (Difficulty Performing Everyday Tasks)
- Stiffness (Result of Bruising)
- Anxiety and Depression (Required Counselling)
Struck by Car at a Junction (1999) - £45,000
- Leg Injuries (Fractured Tibia & Abrasions)
- Knee Injuries (Crushed Knee)
- Rehabilitation (Physiotherapy)
- Hospital Stay
- Mobility Issues (Use of Crutches)
- Chronic Pain (Knee Caused Pain)
- Stiffness (Could Not Kneel Down)
- Difficulty Performing Everyday Tasks
- Likelihood of Future Surgeries (Knee Replacement Eventuality)
Young Motorcyclist With Wrist and Lower Body Injuries - £8,000
- Wrist Injuries (Fractured Wrist)
- Lower Body Injuries (Lacerations)
Damages for Whiplash and Leg Injuries - £30,000
- Abrasions (Soft Tissue Damage & Whiplash)
- Leg Injuries (Fractured Tibia)
- Stiffness and Discomfort
- Possibility of Future Surgeries
- Work Absence
- 10% Risk of Arthritis
Delivery Driver Thrown From Bike - £36,000
- Lacerations (Face, Head & Right Hand)
- Hand Injuries (Fractured Hand)
- Torso Injuries
- Re-occurring Headaches
- Stiffness
- Giddiness
- Scarring (Face, Wrist & Torso)
- Hand Deformity (Disability)
- Depression
Struck From Car At The Rear - £15,000
- Neck Injury
- Back Injuries (Spine & Lumbar Region)
- Required Physiotherapy
- Suffered Stiffness and Chronic Pain
- Discovered a Pre-Accident Back Problem
- Developed Sleep Problems
Uneven Road Surfaces Causes Fractured Clavicle - £4,300*
- Shoulder Injuries (Fractured Clavicle)
