Motor bike and scooter accident solicitor sets out how to claim compensation when you are injured whilst riding your motor scooter or moped in the UK.
Scooter / Moped Accident Victim Question
I was riding on my scooter, which has a 125 cc engine along at 30mph on a residential road in London when a car driver cut in front of me from a parking position attempting to perform a U-turn.
The car cut off my lane and I had no time to react so I crashed into the side of the car at 30mph and with full force. I was thrown over the bonnet – catapulted through the air.
The police and ambulance were called and was taken to Accident & Emergency in the hospital where I was diagnosed with a broken wrist, a fractured forearm and concussion.
Since the accident I have become depressed and have recently been diagnosed with severe post traumatic stress disorder. I suffer from short-term memory loss and hopeless concentration, which has meant my job as an IT consultant is impossible.
I have PTSD symptoms such as nightmares, frequent flashbacks, withdrawn and emotionally numb, panic attacks, nausea, headaches. I am frightened of riding a scooter again, which was a passion of mine.
The driver is being prosecuted by the police for driving without due care and for driving without motor insurance.
Can I claim compensation for my injuries and the damage to my scooter, if so – how much is my claim worth and how long will it take for my claim to settle?
Scooter / Bike Accident Solicitor Response
You will be able to make a claim for compensation from the Motor Insurers Bureau or MIB, which will meet claims for motor vehicle drivers who do not have a policy of motor insurance.
Liability of the car driver seems clear – this is supported by the fact that the driver is being prosecuted for driving without due care.
It is too early to be able to estimate how much your claim is worth. A solicitor will need to obtain independent medical evidence from an orthopaedic surgeon (describing your broken wrist and fractured forearm), a clinical psychologist (describing your post traumatic stress and depression) and possibly a neurosurgeon (describing brain / head injuries which might be the cause of lack of concentration and memory loss).
Only when the medical evidence is complete can a proper estimate be given by a specialist solicitor as to how much your claim is worth and that solicitor will likely need a barrister’s opinion.
Click barrister’s opinion on compensation amounts to see the page I have written explaining what a barrister’s opinion is.
As every claim is different – it is not possible at this stage to determine how long your claim will take to settle. This is especially the case when multiple injuries are sustained and psychological assessment is necessary. It might take some time before an expert can give an accurate prognosis of your injuries or treatment such as cognitive behavioural therapy might be recommended.
Click cognitive behavioural therapy / PTSD treatments to see the page I have written explaining about the treatments for PTSD:
When you are not working you might be placed under financial strain. Your solicitor can consider obtaining an interim payment on your behalf whilst your evidence is still being finalised.
See the link scooter accident interim payment to see the page I have written explaining about interim payments.
Online specialist solicitor assistance with scooter accident claims
If you would like to proceed with a claim with a specialist scooter accident solicitor or to speak to me in person click scooter / moped / motorcycle accident claim.
