Motorbike & Bike Leg Injuries
Are you a motorcyclist or cyclist who has suffered a leg injury in an accident that wasn’t your fault? There are several injuries included in this category including paralysis, sterility, hip injuries, leg fractures and a broken leg.
Keep reading to see how much a motorcyclist could be awarded in damages for their leg injury in a bike accident.
Is It Normal to Suffer a Leg Injury in an Accident?
Unfortunately, yes it is quite common to suffer a leg injury following a motorbike or cycle accident. An injury to the lower body is one of the most common types of injures following a motorbike accident. Riders have limited protection and the impact of a collision can cause injury. Likewise, there is the possibility that lower limbs become trapped after an accident. Thick, padded pants can cushion impact but won’t completely prevent injuries from occurring. Most leg injuries, thankfully, are not fatal, but that doesn’t mean they are minor. The legs are an essential human body part and loss of function, even short-term, can severely disrupt our lives. A normal leg injury following a bike accident can include a leg fracture, knee dislocation or ligament tears to the ankle. Serious leg injuries may require amputation of one or both leg injuries, causing a life-changing impact.
How Long Does It Take to Recover From a Broken Leg Injury?
Have you suffered a broken leg motorcycle accident and are wondering how long it may take you to recover? Then you’ve come to the right place. As experts in motorbike accidents, we know a lot about the types of leg injuries that can occur. As such, we can offer advice on the treatment of injuries such as a broken leg and can provide guidelines on the recovery process.
A broken leg can be one of the most serious types of motorbike injuries, which is why victims are entitled to thousands of pounds in compensation damages. Broken legs can be extremely painful and will often leave you unable to do day-to-day tasks. In most cases, you will even be unable to go to work for several weeks or months. During the early stages of a broken leg, you will find it difficult walking on the leg and may require assistance such as a wheelchair, crutches or a knee walker.
A broken leg can also be referred to as a leg fracture and there are four bones that can be fractured: the femur, patella, tibia and fibula. Bones usually heal naturally over time, but if left untreated, the process may not go smoothly. Treatment for a broken leg can include surgery, medication and physical therapy. A cast, splint or fixation device can also be used to support and protect the bones while they heal. During the healing process, it’s important that you rest the leg as much as possible and avoid any activity that may apply pressure.
The road to recovery can be a long and exhausting one, but it’s essential to be patient and allow the bone to heal. The time it takes for a broken leg to recovery can vary depending on the location, type of bone, and other health issues such as tissue damage. As a rule of thumb, the healing time most commonly takes about 6 to 8 weeks for minor fractures and 3 to 6 months for severe fractures. More extreme fractures may take even longer. After the bone has healed, you should work with your doctor and physiotherapist to slowly build your leg back to full strength.
Leg Injury Payouts
The following tables show the estimated minimum and maximum compensation figures that a motorcyclist or cyclist may receive following a bike accident. It’s important to stress that this data is a guide and for an accurate assessment, we highly recommend that we speak to our expert solicitors.
| Injuries Involving Paralysis | ||
| Quadriplegia | £262,350 | £326,700 |
| Paraplegia | £177,100 | £229,900 |
| Impotence | ||
| Total in young males | £113,000 | £124,300 |
| Middle aged males with children | £34,760 | £63,360 |
| Sterility | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| Severe with deformity and degeneration | £25,000 | £35,000 |
| Moderate with some instability | £16,000 | £25,000 |
| With ligamentous tears, metal work, scarring | £6,500 | £13,500 |
| Minor undisplaced fractures, some scarring | £1,000 | £6,500 |
| Achilles Tendon | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 |
Claim Example For a Broken Leg Motorcycle Accident
In this claim example, we report on a claim where a motorcyclist suffered multiple injuries including lacerations, bruising and a broken leg when his motorbike collided with a motor vehicle whilst overtaking a stationary line of traffic.
The motorcyclist’s injuries were caused when the motorcyclist was propelled from his motorbike due to the force of the collision. Liability for the motorbike claim was admitted subject to an allegation of contributory negligence against the motorbike rider as he was overtaking a stationary line of motor vehicles that overlapped a junction.
The main injury was a fracture of his left leg. The motorcyclist remained in hospital for some 12 weeks and required domestic care in his home and out and about for approximately 18 weeks following discharge. His broken leg was in plaster for around 8 weeks and was accompanied by a soft tissue injury. The accident solicitors were informed that around 8 months after the motorbike injury was sustained he complained of considerable pain in his left ankle and knee and he was referred for physiotherapy treatment which lasted for several months. Headaches were a constant complaint and difficulty sleeping was also reported. Some 18 months after the motorbike injuries were sustained, the motorcyclist returned to work on light duties and eventually increased to full pre-motorbike injury work within 24 months of the motorbike accident claim.
The motorbike injury sustained in the accident was awarded the total sum of £16,000 due to the fracture of his right leg and various lacerations, scrapes and scratches. In addition, the motorbike injury meant that he was also claimed compensation for loss of earnings for 18 weeks until he was able to return to work on light duties. Compensation was also obtained by his motorbike accident solicitors for the gratuitous care he received from his wife and mother who took turns to look after and care for him whilst he was recovering at the minimum wage hourly rate. Other expenses and losses were recovered in respect of the write-off value of his motorbike less salvage, insurance excess and various medical costs.
Claim Example For an Ankle Injury
In this claim example, we report on an accident where a motorcyclist was hit by a car at a “T” junction and dragged along the road. The main injuries the claimant sustained were to the ankle region. Please note that some facts and information of this case analysis have been removed or changed to ensure that confidentiality is preserved.
This incident occurred when the claimant was riding his motorbike along the road when he was hit by a car turning at a T junction. The motorbike was stationary at the time and the victim recalls that on the impact he fell to the ground under his motorbike and was then dragged along the road for an estimated 3-4 metres. The motorcyclist was wearing a crash helmet, motorcycle jacket, jeans, gloves and trainers.
The claimant suffered a sprain injury to his right ankle and was treated for shock at the scene of the accident. He was able to stand walk with a limp and following the attendance of police and paramedics, he was transported to his home and then self-referred himself to the hospital. A nurse examined the motorcyclist and he was informed that he had sustained a soft tissue injury to his right ankle and was advised to take Ibuprofen tablets as necessary. No x-rays were taken.
The morning following the accident, the victim woke with discomfort and swelling in his right ankle. He noted some early signs of visible bruising and was only able to walk with a limp. Five days after the incident, the claimant consulted with a doctor who confirmed the soft tissue injury and advised him to continue using the analgesic medication as necessary.
The pain symptoms in the motorcyclist’s ankles receded as the swelling and bruising faded and the injury was fully resolved ten weeks after the accident. He claimed that the accident had made him more of a cautious driver such as looking in the rearview mirror more often, required him to take a day off work, and made him unable to play cricket during the summer season. His general social activities and daily domestic tasks had not been affected by the injury, nor had he experience any phobic anxiety symptoms in relation to travel.
The motorbike claims client has noticed that since the accident he has been a more cautious motorcyclist. He is more aware of the movements of other road users and he looks more often in his rearview mirror, however, the client explains that he has not experienced any true phobic anxiety symptoms in relation to travel.
Make a Leg Injury Claim
The above motorbike claim is an example of a possible compensation claim. If you require any help or assistance in bringing a motorbike claim for injuries sustained within the last 3 years, such as leg swelling after motorcycle accident, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Alternatively, if you already have an accident solicitor and you would like to obtain a second opinion or transfer your claim, please speak to us and we will be happy to help you.