Road Traffic Accident Statistics

According to government figures, per mile ridden, motorcyclists are around 35 times more likely to die in a road traffic accident than the drivers and passengers of cars. They are also over 50 times more likely to sustain a serious or catastrophic brain or spinal injury.

Scotland, with its disproportionate amount of the UK's rural roads, can be a particularly hazardous place for the motorcyclist. For example, in 2012, 70% of motorcycle accidents occurred on rural roads, with motorway incidents accounting for only 1% of fatal accidents and 2% of serious motorcycling injuries.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics in Scotland

There were 25 motorcyclists who died in Scottish road traffic accidents in 2019, according to provisional statistics from Transport Scotland. In total, 519 motorcyclist casualties were reported, and 279 (54%) of those were seriously injured.

Thankfully, the number of motorcyclist deaths on Scotland's roads shows a reducing trend: the 2004-2008 average was 42 fatalities per year. While these figures show a reduction in motorcycle-related fatalities, the proportion of serious and fatal accidents among motorcyclists compared to other road user types is still very high. Every single fatal accident is a tragedy for the victim and their family. It's clear that riding a motorcycle is risky, impacting not only the rider but also those left behind.

Significantly Higher Risk of Injury Than Car Occupants

Per mile travelled, riders are around 16 times more likely than car occupants to suffer fatal injuries in an accident, according to the USA’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). They are also four times more likely to sustain a head injury.

Transport Scotland classifies road types (for road casualty statistic purposes) as 'built-up roads', and 'non-built-up roads': built-up roads are those with a speed limit of up to 40mph and non-built-up roads are those with speed limits over 40mph. While motorways obviously fall into the category of 'non-built-up roads', many of Scotland's rural roads also fall into this category.

In 2019, according to Transport Scotland's provisional figures, 116 motorcyclists were killed or seriously injured on 'built-up roads', while 188 were killed or seriously injured on non-built-up roads (including rural roads with speed limits over 40mph).

Rural roads and those with faster speed limits are inherently dangerous for motorcyclists. According to an in-depth analysis of 2013 statistics, Transport Scotland found that most fatalities and serious injuries involving motorcycles happen in rural areas with higher speed limits. In fact, in that year, 87 percent of motorcycle fatalities occurred on roads in rural areas.

Reducing the Risk

One way to greatly reduce the risk of sustaining a motorcycling head injury is to wear an appropriate, well-fitting helmet. According to the Motorcycle Helmet Safety Institute, head injuries make up around 60% of all rider injuries. In cases where the rider was not wearing a helmet, 88% of the injuries sustained could have been prevented with the use of a helmet.

Rural Roads and Motorcycle Accident Claims

There are many reasons why a rural road can pose a risk to motorcyclists. The bulk of crashes occurred when the motorcyclist:

• was going too fast around a bend
• misjudged a bend
• was passing a junction
• was overtaking
• simply lost control because of his behaviour or the road conditions. (In the 2015 Transport Scotland statistics, loss of control was the most commonly reported contributory factor in motorcycle accidents).

Whatever the cause, if you have suffered injury in a motorcycle accident that was not your fault then you may well be entitled to claim compensation. Even if you're concerned that your actions made you partly responsible for the accident, try not to worry – this doesn't necessarily mean you won’t be able to claim. However, the amount you are awarded in respect of your injuries may be reduced depending on your proportion of liability.

Of course, it will very much depend on the individual circumstances of your accident so, if you are not sure that you have a claim, then it's worth talking the matter through with an experienced solicitor. They'll put you on the right track and help you decide what's best, based on your personal circumstances.

Common Motorbike Accidents and Liability

In many cases, it is not the motorcyclist who is to blame for the accident. In fact, 24% of all accidents are caused by car drivers failing to look properly. But what should you do if you are involved in a motorcycle accident that you believe is the responsibility of another party? Should you make a compensation claim? And how do you go about it?

If you are looking for advice, it helps to speak to someone who knows the issues and implications involved, particularly from a legal perspective. In the case of a motorcycle accident claim, you need to speak to a specialist motorbike accident lawyer - someone with the experience to achieve the best result for you in the quickest possible time.

Serious Injury Claims

By the very nature of motorbike use, riders and their pillion passengers are more vulnerable than occupants of other motorised vehicles. Therefore, the injuries incurred in a motorcycle accident are often very serious and life-altering.

The personal injury team at Thompsons will fight on your behalf to ensure that you receive the fullest possible compensation for your injuries. Where appropriate, you may receive interim damages to assist with immediate financial considerations, such as the cost of rehabilitation care and any other expenses incurred.

Motorcycle Accident Compensation

Thompsons Solicitors is the leading personal injury firm in Scotland. We have a dedicated Road Traffic team and are experts in dealing with motorbike injury claims. We have an excellent success rate - we win over 90% of our personal injury cases and recover over £1 million every week for our clients.

Give us a call today. One of our specialist motorcycle injury lawyers will be happy to chat things through, free of charge and with no obligation.

Group Riding and Legal Implications

For many, half of the fun of motorcycling is in travelling with others. Group riding is a sociable activity, ranging from a brief jaunt with a friend to a formal group ride-out across long distances to raise funds for charity. However, it also has implications that you might not expect. For example, it might affect your ability to claim compensation if you are involved in a motorbike accident. It might also mean that you are responsible for an accident that you were not directly involved in.

This is because in any group of motorcyclists, only one person can lead. This leader might, in some circumstances, have a duty of care to those following and be liable to pay compensation if they are hurt. For example, if an accident occurs on a bend and involves the lead motorcyclist, those following may find they become unavoidably involved in the incident.

It is a very complicated area of the law and will depend on the circumstances of the case. See the case of Dorning v Personal Representative of Paul Rigby (2007).

However, the Highway Code states that lead riders should travel at a speed that gives those following reasonable time and opportunity to stop in the event of an accident or unforeseen circumstance.

Thompsons, Motorcycle Accident Solicitors Scotland

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident while leading or following, make sure that you take expert advice regarding your legal rights and possible entitlement to compensation. You need to speak to a specialist motorbike accident lawyer - someone with the experience to achieve the best result for you, in the quickest possible time.

This is where we come in. Give our dedicated road accident team a call, and one of our motorcycle injury lawyers will be happy to chat things through, free of charge and with no obligation.

If you or someone you love has suffered injuries in a motor accident, contact Thompsons' accident compensation specialists today. We will advise you on the best way forward. Claims are made on a no win, no fee basis.

Specialist Legal Advice from Thompsons

Specialist legal advice is essential to ensure that any compensation claim is based on properly gathered expert evidence and that all your care needs, now and in the future, are provided for.

Thompsons' motorbike accident lawyers have extensive expertise in dealing with all forms of accidents and personal injury, including motorcycle accident brain injury claims. We are Scotland's leading personal injury law firm and win over £1 million every week for our clients.

We work with claimants and their families and are able to make home visits when necessary from our offices in  Edinburgh, Glasgow, Peebles, Galashiels and Dumfries. We are committed to ensuring full compensation for every claimant and, when possible and appropriate, always strive to secure immediate interim payments to meet clients’ most pressing needs.

If you would like advice on making a compensation claim for a brain injury suffered by you or a loved one, give our No Win No Fee accident solicitors a call. They will investigate and advise you on the best way to proceed.