Motorcyclists are some of the most vulnerable people on the road. When a car driver fails to see you, pulls out at a junction or changes lanes without looking, the consequences can be serious. If you’ve been injured in a motorbike accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation — for your injuries, your bike, your gear and your financial losses.
This guide explains how a motorbike accident claim works in England & Wales: who can claim, what you can recover, an important point about the whiplash reforms that works in riders’ favour, and the time limits that apply.
Can You Make a Motorbike Accident Claim?
You can usually claim if you were injured in a motorcycle accident in the last three years that was wholly or partly someone else’s fault. That includes riders and pillion passengers. Your claim is normally made against the at-fault driver’s insurer, so the compensation doesn’t come out of their own pocket. You may still be able to claim even if:
- the accident was partly your fault (your compensation is simply reduced to reflect your share);
- the other driver was uninsured or untraced (a claim can be made through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau); or
- your injuries were caused by a poor road surface or pothole (a claim against the highway authority).
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Most motorbike claims we handle come down to another road user’s carelessness:
- “Sorry mate, I didn’t see you” collisions — drivers pulling out of junctions into a rider’s path;
- vehicles changing lanes or turning without checking their mirrors and blind spots;
- car doors opened into the path of a motorcyclist;
- drivers following too closely or misjudging a rider’s speed; and
- defective road surfaces, potholes, spilled diesel or debris.
What Can You Claim For?
A motorbike accident claim is made up of two types of compensation — the injury itself, and the financial impact:
| Type of compensation | What it covers |
|---|---|
| General damages | The pain, suffering and loss of amenity from your injury — from fractures and road rash to serious head or spinal injuries. |
| Vehicle & equipment | Repair or write-off value of your motorbike, plus your helmet, leathers, gloves, boots and other damaged kit. |
| Lost earnings | Income lost while you recover, including future loss if you can’t return to the same work. |
| Treatment & care | Physiotherapy, rehabilitation, medical costs, and care and assistance (even if provided by family). |
| Other expenses | Travel to appointments, recovery and storage of your bike, and other reasonable out-of-pocket costs. |
For a guide to typical injury figures, see our article on compensation payout amounts in the UK, or try our compensation calculator.
Are Motorcyclists Affected by the Whiplash Reforms?
This is good news for riders. The 2021 whiplash reforms — the fixed tariff and the Official Injury Claim portal that apply to most car occupants’ minor injuries — do not apply to motorcyclists. As “vulnerable road users”, motorcyclists (along with cyclists and pedestrians) are exempt, so your injuries are valued in the traditional way rather than under the fixed tariff. That often means a fairer reflection of what you’ve actually been through.
What If the Accident Was Partly My Fault?
You can often still claim. Where you share some responsibility, your compensation is reduced to reflect your share — known as contributory negligence. This can also apply if you weren’t wearing a helmet or protective gear and that made your injuries worse, but it doesn’t automatically stop a claim. It’s always worth getting advice before assuming you can’t claim.
Uninsured or Untraced Drivers
If you were hit by an uninsured driver, or by a driver who failed to stop and can’t be traced, you’re not left without options. A claim can be made through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB), which exists to compensate victims in exactly these situations. We can handle an MIB claim for you.
How Long Do I Have to Claim?
In England & Wales you normally have three years from the date of the accident to start a motorbike accident claim. For children, the three years runs from their 18th birthday, and different rules apply where someone lacks mental capacity. Acting early helps, while evidence such as dashcam footage, CCTV and witness memories is still fresh.
How Din Solicitors Can Help
Motorcyclists too often face unfair assumptions that they must have been speeding or riding recklessly. Our team knows these claims, gathers the evidence to counter those assumptions, and fights for the full compensation you’re owed — all on a No Win No Fee basis. Learn more on our motorbike accident claims page, or see our wider road traffic accident claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much compensation will I get for a motorbike accident?
It depends on your injuries and your financial losses. The injury element is valued using medical evidence and the Judicial College Guidelines, then your bike, gear, lost earnings and other costs are added on top. See our compensation payouts guide for typical injury brackets.
Can I claim if I was a pillion passenger?
Yes. As a passenger you were not in control of the bike, so if you were injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault you can usually claim against whichever driver was responsible.
Do the whiplash reforms apply to motorcyclists?
No. Motorcyclists are “vulnerable road users” and are exempt from the fixed whiplash tariff and the Official Injury Claim portal, so their injuries are valued in the traditional way.
What if the driver who hit me was uninsured?
You can still claim through the Motor Insurers’ Bureau, which compensates people injured by uninsured or untraced drivers.
Is a motorbike accident claim No Win No Fee?
Yes — Din Solicitors handles motorbike accident claims on a No Win, No Fee basis, so there’s nothing to pay upfront and nothing to pay if your claim is unsuccessful.
Start Your Motorbike Accident Claim
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident that wasn’t your fault, our specialist solicitors are here to help. Din Solicitors acts for riders across England & Wales on a No Win, No Fee basis. Learn more about motorbike accident claims, start your claim today, or call 01422 647175 for free, no-obligation advice.
This article is general information, not legal advice for your specific situation. Din Solicitors is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No. 8008984). Last reviewed: July 2026.