Welcome to our new weekly section, with some proper learned answers to your bikey legal queries. Whether you’ve been knocked off by a pissed-up driver, been stitched up by a dodgy trader, or looking down the barrel of a six-month ban for one speeding ticket too many, we can help – with some clever judicial stuff from Thompsons Solicitors, one of the biggest law firms in the country.
Send your questions to alan.dowds@visordown.com, or post on our Facebook page. We’ll answer as many as we can…
"I've read some stuff about the Civil Liability Bill and how it's going to affect crash claims. What does it mean for motorcyclists?"
David Robinson, senior road accident specialist at Thompsons Solicitors: "The Civil Liability Bill is a piece of legislation being proposed by the government which they say will reduce the number of motor claims, particularly whiplash. The government claims this will enable insurers to cut your insurance premium, by ‘approximately’ £35 a year.
"In reality, the changes will mean that vulnerable road users like motorcyclists who are much more at risk of being involved in a road accident will have legal advice, which is currently free, being removed. Motorcyclists will have to fight insurers on their own, while funding legal fees will be simple for insurers.
"The reasons given for introducing the Bill seem disingenuous at best. Figures from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) show that the net cost of insurance claims has actually fallen by 42% since 2010 and have saved £8 billion yet, while motor insurance premiums have reached record levels. Why haven’t insurers reduced your premiums already?
"We also have to question why the government would want to penalise 99% of honest motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users when there is no evidence that they submit fraudulent claims.
"Of course, the only real winners in of all of this are insurers, who are set to gain £1.3bn in extra profit from the Bill beyond the multi-million £ profits they’re already making. That’ll certainly boost the remuneration packages of their CEOs.
"As a matter of principle, we believe motorcyclists – and all road users - should be protected if they’re injured and not be left on their own fighting their own corner when the accident was not their fault. We will continue to campaign against the Bill and will represent all road users across the country – you can visit our dedicated website to join the fight: www.feedingfatcats.co.uk"
Thompsons Solicitors specialises in motorcycle accident claims. If you’ve been injured in a crash or collision while on your motorbike, you can contact their experts on 0800 0 224 224.
