How Do Motorbike Accidents Differ From Car Accidents?
Motorcyclists are by far the most vulnerable category of road users. Over the years, great strides have been made in improving safety features in cars. This means that, even though there are many more car accidents than there are motorcycle accidents in this country every year, the injuries suffered in car accidents are often very minor in nature.
However, without the protections provided by four-wheeled vehicles, even when motorcyclists are involved in what would be considered a very minor collision for a car, very serious and sometimes catastrophic injuries can be sustained.
Unlike the occupant of a car, who will generally derive injuries from the impact alone, motorbike riders also run the risk of being thrown large distances, being dragged across the road, or being knocked into the path of oncoming traffic.
According to statistics compiled by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), motorcyclists accounted for 12% of road deaths in 2014, despite making up less than 2% of the total national vehicle fleet, meaning that they are six times more likely to be killed on Irish roads than other road users.
Motorbike accident claims differ from other road traffic compensation claims in two ways, being:
- what caused the accident, and
- the nature of the injuries sustained.
Causes of Motorbike Accidents
A study conducted in 2004 concluded that there were three main categories of motorcycle crash types:
- right-of-way violation accidents (38%);
- loss of control at bends at speed (11%); and
- overtaking/filtering accidents (15%).
70% of motorcycle accidents involve a car, lorry or bus and approximately 55% of accidents occur at junctions.
Research that has been carried out by the RSA has revealed that there are four main scenarios resulting in motorcycle fatalities:
- motorcyclists colliding with the side of a right-turning vehicle when attempting to overtake that vehicle.
- motorcyclists colliding head-on with an oncoming vehicle whilst in the course of overtaking the vehicle in front of them.
- motorcyclists losing control while cornering and crossing into the path of an oncoming vehicle or colliding with some stationary object.
- car drivers failing to see motorcyclists when turning, driving through a junction, or joining the main road from a minor road, and colliding with the unobserved motorcyclist as a result.
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Car Driver Error
In accidents involving a car and a motorbike, research has shown that the car driver was at fault in over 50% of cases.
Right-of-way violation accidents occur where one vehicle infringes another’s right of way and causes an accident as a result. While nearly 40% of all motorbike accidents are caused in this way, motorcyclists are to blame in only a small minority of cases, with car drivers being primarily at fault. Usually, the reason for the violation is that the car driver simply did not see the motorcyclist before commencing the manoeuvre which caused the collision.
Road Conditions
Diesel or Oil Spills
Bend Accidents
Nature of Injuries Suffered in Motorcycle Accidents
Whiplash Injuries
Soft Tissue Injuries
Bone Fractures
Amputations
Spinal Cord Injuries
Head Injuries
Am I Automatically Entitled to be Compensated If I’ve Suffered a Motorcycle Injury?
Only where it can be shown that your motorcycle accident was caused by the fault or negligence of some other person can you successfully recover compensation for your injuries.
While the statistics show that the vast majority of accidents involving motorbikes are caused by other road users, one should never be complacent as it is the injured motorbike rider’s duty to show that someone else is at fault if liability is contested.
This is why it is vitally important to instruct a specialist motorbike accident claims solicitor so that they can carry out the investigations necessary to assemble the evidence to prove your case and secure compensation on your behalf.
Who Can Potentially Recover Compensation From?
Other Road Users
Local Authorities
Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI)
Garages or Repair Centres
What Will I be Entitled to Recover For?
What Are The Time Limits That Apply for Bringing a Motorbike Accident Claim?
If a Motorcyclist Has Been Killed in an Accident Does Their Family Have Any Entitlement to be Compensated?
Start Your Motorbike Accident Claim
If you have any questions about injuries you’ve suffered in a motorcycle accident, our live chat operator is available to help you with any queries you may have at any time or, you can call us on 1800 390 555 during office hours. Our motorbike accident claims solicitors are based at our offices in Dublin and Cork but assist people from across the country, including Limerick, Waterford and Galway.
About McCarthy + Co
With more than 30 years of experience in dealing with personal injury claims, McCarthy + Co. has helped many people to bring successful road traffic accident claims, including cases involving motorbikes. We are a family-run business, and we pride ourselves on offering honest, impartial, and helpful advice.
Our offices are based in Dublin and Cork but we work with clients throughout Ireland in locations ranging from Galway to Waterford. You can count on us for legal advice, guidance, and assistance on any form of personal injury.
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Flor McCarthy
Email: flor@mccarthy.ie
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Flor McCarthy wears multiple hats, not only as the managing partner of one of Ireland’s leading law firms, but also as an author, speaker and an acknowledged expert in client service, innovation and marketing.
Beginning his academic journey at UCC, Flor furthered his education with a master’s degree in law from UCD. After gaining valuable experience as a solicitor in Dublin, the allure of home and the family brought him back to West Cork to contribute his expertise to the family business.
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John McCarthy
Email: john@mccarthy.ie
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John McCarthy is a seasoned solicitor with almost 20 years of experience, specialises in personal injury and medical negligence claims, focusing particularly on high-value compensation cases. His extensive litigation experience spans Circuit Court, High Court and Supreme Court levels.
John's practice involves a diverse range of cases, from personal injury and wrongful death to property damage, defective products, professional negligence and judicial reviews.
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