Motorcycle Courier Accident – How Much Compensation Can I Claim?

Motorcycle couriers are able to make deliveries across cities much more quickly than couriers who drive cars, lorries or vans. However, accidents involving motorcycle couriers do happen and can result in serious injuries. In this article about motorcycle courier accident claims, we’ll look at claiming compensation if you were injured while making a delivery and you were involved in an accident caused by another road user or you’ve been hit by a motorcycle courier.

Our team is here to help if you would like free advice about making a claim. An advisor will review your claim, answer any questions and explain your options during a no-obligation consultation. If the claim is suitable and it’s accepted by one of our personal injury lawyers, they’ll represent you on a No Win, No Fee basis. Knowing that you won’t be asked to pay any legal fees unless your claim is successful should make the process much less stressful.

To find out more about motorcycle courier accident claims, please continue reading. Alternatively, if you’d like to discuss your claim with a specialist right away, call us today on 0800 652 1345.

What do motorcycle couriers do?

As well as the commonly seen fast food couriers, motorcycles can be used to deliver essential documents for businesses or bloods and organs for emergency hospital treatment. Generally, because of their enhanced manoeuvrability, motorcycle deliveries are usually much faster than other forms of transport.

While couriers are professional riders, there may be an argument that the boom in fast-food deliveries means there are now a lot more inexperienced motorcycle couriers on the road. This could lead to an increase in Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) especially when you consider that many deliveries are made late at night or in the early hours.

Can I claim compensation for a motorcycle courier accident?

As our personal injury solicitors work on a No Win, No Fee basis, they will only accept claims where there is a reasonable chance of success. As such, before agreeing to represent you, they will check whether:

• The defendant in your claim breached their duty of care towards you; and
• An accident involving a motorcycle courier occurred as a result; and
• You sustained an injury in the accident.

The main law used to establish a duty of care in motorcycle courier claims is the Road Traffic Act 1988 as it states that all road users must take reasonable steps to prevent accidents by driving as safely as possible. For example, they must follow the rules of the Highway Code at all times.

When Motorcycle Couriers Can Make Accident Claims

As a courier, you could be entitled to compensation for injuries resulting from accidents caused by another party’s negligence. For example, you could claim for any of the following:

• Being knocked off your motorbike by a driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Collisions caused by road rage, speeding or aggressive drivers.
• An accident on a roundabout caused by a distracted driver who was using their phone, radio or satnav.
• If you were thrown from your bike after a driver pulled out in front of you at a junction.
• Where you were hit by a car that didn’t leave enough space when overtaking.
• You fell off your motorcycle after hitting a pothole.

Ultimately, you could be compensated for almost any injury in an accident that wasn’t your fault. To name a few, this might include broken bones, brain damage, back pain, whiplash, cuts and lacerations.

Can I claim against a motorcycle courier?

If you have been injured in an accident caused by a motorbike courier, you may have grounds to claim for your suffering if:

• The courier knocked you over whilst you were crossing a zebra crossing.
• If a car accident happened because the rider was checking their job list on their mobile phone or another device.
• Where the courier hit your vehicle from behind.
• If you were involved in a head-on collision with a motorcycle courier who was on the wrong side of the road.
• If an accident occurred because the motorbike courier was riding dangerously (speeding, undertaking, weaving etc).
• If you tripped and fell while trying to pass a motorcycle parked on a footpath.

If you believe you’ve been injured because of a motorbike courier’s negligence, please let us know and we’ll review your chances of being compensated for free.

Hit-and-run or uninsured motorcycle courier accidents

It can be quite upsetting to be involved in any type of RTA where the other party fails to stop (hit and run) or is not insured to be on the road. As well as dealing with your injuries, the thought of paying for the damage caused can be quite distressing.

However, motorcycle couriers and other road users could claim through the Motor Insurers Bureau (MIB) in these circumstances. The MIB is a scheme funded by the insurance industry to cover claims against uninsured or untraced drivers. If you would like us to help you claim through the MIB, please write down as much information about your accident and the other vehicle before calling our free advice centre.

Providing proof for a motorcycle courier accident claim

There are several things motorcycle couriers and others injured in a road accident should do after the incident. As well as dealing with any injuries, these steps could help if a personal injury claim is needed later on. They include:

• Turn off the engine of your vehicle and converge somewhere safe.
• Call the emergency services if anybody is seriously injured.
• Take photographs of the accident scene if it safe to do so.
• Swap contact and insurance details with the other party involved in your accident (this is a legal requirement).
• Write down the registration number, make, model and colour of the other vehicle involved.
• Gather the details of any witnesses to the accident.
• Secure dashcam footage of the accident if your vehicle or others captured the accident.
• Visit A&E or a minor injuries unit for a proper diagnosis and treatment of your injuries.

The items marked in italics could all improve your chances of being compensated. For example, medical records from your hospital visit could be used to confirm your injuries. Also, your solicitor could collect witness statements to help prove how the accident happened.

During the aftermath of the accident, you should try to stay as calm as possible and not say anything that could be seen as an admission of guilt.

How much compensation for a motorcycle courier accident claim?

If you work with one of our personal injury solicitors during a motorcycle courier injury claim, they’ll try to ensure any compensation you receive covers all of your suffering. While this will cover the impact of your injuries, it should also cover any financial losses too.

If your claim is successful, you could be compensated for:

• Physical pain and suffering (immediate and long-term).
• Anxiety, depression, distress and other forms of psychiatric harm.
• The effect your injuries have on social activities or hobbies.
• Lost earnings.
• Care costs (to cover a professional carer’s fees or the time somebody else spent caring for you).
• Physiotherapy and other forms of medical expenses.
• The cost of replacing clothing, helmets, gloves or other items damaged during the accident.
• Travel expenses.
• Future lost income for longer-term injuries.
• Home adaptations to help you deal with disabilities resulting from your accident.

If you do incur costs as a result of a motorcycle courier accident, it’s important to hold on to any receipts or bank statements to prove your losses. We believe that you are far more likely to receive a higher amount of compensation for your suffering if you are represented by a legal professional. To see if one of our solicitors will take on your case, please call today.

Motorcycle courier accident claim time limits

There is a 3-year limitation period for motorcycle courier accident claims for personal injuries which will start from the date of the accident, in most cases.

One exception to this rule is for claims involving children. For example, if a child was knocked over by a motorcycle courier, their limitation period would not begin until their 18^th birthday. As a result, a parent or responsible adult could claim on the child’s behalf at any point before that date.

Another exception is when the victim hasn’t the mental capacity to file a claim themself. In this situation, a litigation friend could handle a claim on the victim’s behalf. If not, the time limit would start once the victim has regained the ability to make decisions for themself.

Claims are often easier if they start sooner rather than later because it’s easier for solicitors to secure proof to support the claim. As such, we’d suggest that you contact us at the earliest opportunity following the motorcycle courier accident.

If you’re struggling financially because of lost income or care costs, for example, your solicitor may be able to secure an interim payment to help you before the claim has been finalised.

No Win, No Fee claims

To remove a lot of the stress associated with personal injury claims, our solicitors provide a No Win, No Fee service.

As no fees need to be paid upfront, your solicitor can start working on your claim right away which means they can:

• Discuss your claim with you to understand how you have suffered.
• Start collecting supporting proof.
• Arrange for medical reports to help prove the extent of your injuries.
• Inform the defendant about the motorcycle courier accident claim and deal with their insurance company on your behalf.
• Negotiate for a fair settlement for you and try to deal with any objections raised by the defendant’s insurers.

Throughout the claims process, your solicitor will handle all communications for you so you won’t need to answer any complex legal or medical questions.

If the claim fails, you won’t be asked to pay for any of your solicitor’s work. Conversely, if the claim is won, you’ll pay your solicitor a success fee to cover their time and costs. This is calculated as a percentage and will be detailed in the contract you’ll be sent before any work proceeds.

Start a motorcycle courier accident claim today

A quick call could be all it takes to start your claim. If you call 0800 652 1345, you’ll receive free advice in a no-obligation consultation. If the claim appears to be strong enough, we’ll ask one of our specialist solicitors to discuss it with you in more detail.

An accepted claim will be managed on a No Win, No Fee basis so you’ll only pay legal fees if you receive a compensation payout.

Our live chat team is available to answer any immediate questions you may have about motorcycle courier accident claims.