What can you claim for after a motorcycle accident?

What are the main things you can claim for?

A motorcycle claim usually falls into two broad buckets. The first is the injury and its effect on your life. The second is the money you have lost or spent because of the accident.

Common items include the injury itself, damage to your motorcycle, protective clothing and helmet, lost earnings, care and help from family, medical treatment and rehabilitation, travel costs, and any psychological injury.

This is general information, not legal advice. Every accident is different, and what applies to you depends on your own circumstances and the evidence available. A regulated specialist can review your situation properly.

What is the difference between general and special damages?

General damages cover the injury itself. This means the pain, the suffering, and the loss of amenity, which is the effect on the things you used to do and enjoy. There is no receipt for this, so it is assessed using medical evidence and established guidelines.

Special damages cover your financial losses and expenses. These are the amounts you can usually prove with documents, such as payslips, invoices, receipts and repair estimates. Keeping good records helps a solicitor build this part of a claim.

Can you claim for the injury itself?

Yes, the injury is usually the central part of any claim. General damages aim to reflect the pain and suffering you have been through and any lasting effect on your daily life, work, hobbies and independence.

The value of this depends heavily on medical evidence. A specialist will normally arrange for an independent medical report so your injuries and recovery are properly documented. Outcomes vary from person to person and nothing is guaranteed.

What about your motorcycle and protective gear?

You may be able to claim for your motorcycle. If it can be repaired, the claim can cover the repair. If it is written off, the claim may cover its value at the time of the accident.

Protective clothing is often overlooked. Your helmet, jacket, gloves, boots and any armour can be damaged in a crash even if they did their job. These items can usually be included, so keep the damaged gear and any proof of what it cost where you can.

Can you claim lost earnings, including if self-employed?

Yes. If time off work has cost you income, that loss can form part of a claim. For employed riders this is often shown through payslips and a letter from your employer.

Self-employed riders can also claim lost earnings, though it usually takes a little more evidence. Accounts, invoices, tax records and bank statements can help show the income you have missed. Future loss may also be relevant if the injury affects your ability to work going forward, and a specialist can advise on this.

What other costs and losses can be included?

Care and help from family can be claimed. If a partner, relative or friend has looked after you, done the shopping, or helped you wash and dress while you recovered, that support can have a value even though no money changed hands.

Medical treatment and rehabilitation, such as physiotherapy or counselling, can be recovered where it is reasonable and supported by evidence. So can travel costs to appointments and other out-of-pocket expenses.

Psychological injury matters too. Anxiety, low mood, or a loss of confidence on the road can be part of a claim where it is diagnosed and documented. If any of this affects you, tell your solicitor and your medical examiner.

How do you make sure nothing is missed?

The simplest way is to keep records. Take photographs, keep receipts and invoices, save repair estimates, note your medical appointments, and write down how the injury has affected your day to day life.

Because every accident is different, a regulated specialist is best placed to spot losses you might not think of. Bike Crash Claims is an introducer, not a firm of solicitors, and does not give legal advice. We can introduce you to regulated specialist solicitors who can review your circumstances and explain what may apply.