‘Travel like you know them’: Road safety made personal
Earlier this summer, the UK government relaunched its THINK! road safety campaign, reminding people to ‘Travel like you know them’ to highlight the human cost of road traffic accidents. The...
Spring is now in full swing, and many motorcyclists are taking advantage of the sunny skies and warmer temperatures to go on motorbike rides.
There are an estimated 3.6 million motorcyclists in the UK, who ride a staggering 4.4 billion miles year. Motorbike enthusiasts enjoy the freedom offered by biking, and the chance to socialise with fellow bikers.
However, motorcycle riding also comes with dangers, often as the result of road traffic accidents that are not a biker’s fault.
According to research, despite accounting for just 1% of road users, motorcycle riders are 25 times more likely to be seriously injured on the roads than car drivers, and account for 25% of serious road injuries.
At Novum Law, we have many years’ experience dealing with motorcycle accident claims.
We know only too well the distress a serious motorbike accident causes and the importance of seeking expert legal advice from a specialist solicitor if you want to make a claim for compensation.
Motorbike safety tips for spring
Tim Blackwell is a specialist personal injury solicitor from our Southampton team. Here he offers some upskilling pointers for bikers this spring:
- Carry out a bit of spring clean and make sure that your bike is well maintained and fit for the ride out. If you haven’t been out for a ride over winter, it is vital to check your bike is in good order and working as it should, including tyres, brakes, suspension, and lights. Remember you are legally required to have a valid MOT certificate if your motorbike is more than 3 years old, so make sure this is up to date.
- Be aware of poor road conditions. Watch out for those potholes that are now in so many of our roads. Frost and ice are hopefully behind us, but wet spring weather can be hazardous, reducing visibility and creating slippery road surfaces. Bear in mind there may still be grit and mud on the roads.
- Be safe, be seen. Never assume a driver can see you. Always ride with your dipped lights on. Wear reflective clothing in addition to your full protective gear.
- If you haven’t been out on your bike since last year take it easy and look out for vehicles pulling out of side roads and T junctions. Try to second guess what the other road users are going to do and that will help to keep you out of the bike crash statistics.
Tim Blackwell says:
“Motorcycling is a hobby for some and a passion for others, but it’s not without risk. Bikers should always be aware of their surroundings looking out for potholes and hazards created by other road users. Keep a look out at junctions and be careful when overtaking as other drivers have a habit of pulling out without looking. If a crash happens, motorcyclists face an increased risk of life changing, serious injury and in the most serious accidents, death.”
“We want bikers to enjoy trouble free rides and not to become a bike crash statistic. My advice if you have been involved in a road traffic accident as a motorcyclist that wasn’t entirely your fault, is to get in touch with a specialist personal injury law firm to discuss helping you with your rehabilitation and making a compensation claim as soon as possible – just don’t leave it too late, as you typically only have 3 years to start a claim.”
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorbike accident that was not your fault, you might be able to claim compensation.
Our caring, knowledgeable team has a proven track record of helping victims with life changing injuries securing the very best rehabilitation and maximum compensation in even the most difficult of cases, and can help you on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis to ensure you get the justice and support you deserve.
To find out more, you can call us for free on 0800 884 0777, email info@novumlaw.com or complete our online enquiry form to arrange a free, no obligations chat.
