Darker nights and motorcycle accidents

Through the winter months, we naturally experience reduced daylight hours, and drivers have no choice but to make journeys through these darker nights. The problem can be more significant for motorcyclists, whose presence and visibility on the road is already less than that of car drivers anyway, without the added veil of darkness.

Nevertheless, motorcyclists are not at fault for braving the conditions in the event that another driver causes a crash. Drivers can remain entirely responsible if they fail to pay attention to motorcyclists. If you are a motorcyclist who has suffered from an accident due to the negligence of another driver, you may be entitled to claim compensation for any resultant injuries and suffering.

Motorcyclists and darker nights – the dangers

Car drivers responsible for crashes with motorcyclists often cite lack of visibility as one of the key reasons as to why the accident occurred. Whilst such claims can clearly be attempted excuses for drivers’ culpability, the reasoning does highlight that darker nights are a significant danger for motorcyclists.

For example, if a motorcyclist drives down rural lanes without streetlamps, they may be plunged into further darkness, and a car driver may claim that they did not see the motorcyclists’ headlights coming round a bend. Nevertheless, if the car driver then failed to keep to their side of the road while coming round the bend, they could be at fault if they hit the motorcyclist.

As such, it is important for motorcyclists to anticipate dangers and protect themselves against the impact of road accidents which may occur on darker nights by optimising their visibility. If a motorcyclist implements several extra safety measures, such as wearing a fluorescent or reflective jacket and attaching reflective strips to their bike, a car driver should have no leg to stand on if they claim they could not see the motorcyclist.

Motorbike injuries – what can you claim for?

When making a motorbike injury claim, you can request compensation for:

• the injury and pain endured;
• any financial losses or expenses the injury may have provoked (e.g. lost earnings);
• the damage done to your bike and the cost of repairs/replacement;
• consequent psychological or emotional suffering;
• loss of amenity (negative changes to your way of life).

In fact, it can even be possible to claim compensation for an accident you were partially at fault for. For example, if you are regarded as 20% at fault for the crash, your compensation amount can be reduced to reflect this culpability. Other law firms may turn down clients who present potentially difficult cases, but at the Motorbike Injury Lawyers, we explore all the possible avenues of compensation for our clients to ensure that their compensation sum is not a penny less than it should be.

Make your compensation claim

If you have been the victim of a motorbike accident that was not your fault, and you do not want the other driver to blame their mistake on the darker nights of winter, contact the Motorbike Injury Lawyers. We have years of experience in personal injury claims, and our specialism in motorbike injury claims allows us to see from your perspective.

We may also be able to offer No Win, No Fee legal representation.