Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Liverpool

Yes. The injuries are different. The insurer tactics are different. And the payouts are usually higher.

When a car crashes at 50 km/h, the driver has a metal frame, airbags, and seatbelts absorbing the force. A motorcyclist has a helmet and a jacket. That's it. So motorcycle accidents cause far worse injuries: road rash, severe scarring, spinal trauma, broken bones, and brain injuries.

Insurance companies know this. They respond with bias. Insurers treat motorcyclists as "risk-takers" by default. They inflate fault, downplay road rash as "superficial," argue gear replacement is unnecessary, and resist paying for disfigurement.

What's different in a motorcycle claim:

• Protective gear compensation (helmets, jackets, pants, boots, gloves).
• Scarring and disfigurement damages from road rash.
• Loss of riding enjoyment as a quality-of-life claim.
• Lane-filtering disputes that don't exist in car claims.
• Insurer bias you have to actively fight with evidence.

General lawyers often miss these items. Our accredited specialists handle motorcycle claims and know how to fight insurer bias.

Motorcycle claims typically pay more than car accident claims at the same impact speed. The injuries are worse, so the compensation is higher. Here are realistic ranges:

• Minor injuries (simple fracture, moderate road rash, full recovery): $5,000 to $30,000.
• Moderate injuries (multiple fractures, extensive road rash, months of recovery, permanent scarring): $30,000 to $150,000.
• Serious injuries (spinal fractures, head trauma, major surgery, permanent disability): $150,000 to $500,000+.
• Catastrophic injuries (paralysis, severe brain trauma, lifetime care needed): $500,000 to $2 million+.

These are guides, not guarantees. The main factors:

Injury permanence. Injuries that heal fully are worth less than those causing lasting disability or visible scarring. Road rash scars on your arms and legs may never fully fade.

Lost income. If you can't work during recovery, that's claimed. If the injury permanently limits what work you can do, lifetime earning loss is claimed too.

Scarring and disfigurement. This is a big one for motorcycle claims. Permanent road rash scars attract separate disfigurement damages on top of medical costs.

Psychological impact. PTSD, depression, and anxiety after a motorcycle crash are common and compensable.

Loss of riding enjoyment. If you can no longer ride, that's a real quality-of-life loss the courts recognise.

We'll give you an honest figure at your free consultation. No guesswork, no inflated promises.

No Win No Fee means if we don't win your case, you don't pay us. Simple as that.

Here's how it works in practice:

1. You pay nothing upfront. We cover all costs while your claim runs: legal fees, medical reports, expert assessments, accident reconstruction, court filing fees.

1. If your claim fails, you owe us nothing. We absorb every cost. This is why we only take on cases we believe will succeed.

1. If your claim succeeds, our fee comes from your compensation. For motorcycle accident CTP claims, fees are capped by NSW law at about 20% (plus GST). We explain the exact percentage upfront in writing before you sign anything.

Why this matters for motorcycle claims:

Motorcycle claims are often complex. They need medical experts, dermatology assessments for scarring, accident reconstruction engineers, and sometimes court proceedings. Without No Win No Fee, many riders with strong claims couldn't afford to pursue them.

What it means for you:

• Access to accredited specialist lawyers without paying a cent upfront.
• Zero financial risk. If we lose, you lose nothing.
• Our interests are aligned with yours. We only get paid when you do.

Call us on 1300 011 149 for a free consultation. We'll tell you honestly whether your case has merit.

You have three years from the date of your accident to start court proceedings for lump sum compensation. The Motor Accident Injuries Act 2017 sets this deadline. No court can extend it.

But there are earlier deadlines that matter:

• Statutory benefits (weekly income, medical expenses): lodge within 3 months of the accident to access these.
• Police report: report within 28 days if anyone was injured. Call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444.

Why you should act much sooner than three years:

Motorcycle accident evidence is fragile. Road debris gets cleaned up within hours. CCTV footage from nearby businesses is deleted after 30 to 90 days. Dashcam footage overwrites. Skid marks fade. Witness memories blur.

Insurers document accidents immediately. If you wait, they'll have a detailed file while you're working from memory. Medical evidence is also strongest when treatment starts right away. A gap between the accident and your first doctor visit gives the insurer room to argue your injuries aren't that bad.

Exceptions:

• Children. The three-year clock doesn't start until they turn 18.
• Hidden injuries. If you didn't know about the injury until later, the three years may start from when you discovered it.

Don't wait. Contact us within weeks of your accident, not months before the deadline.

Yes. You can still claim compensation. Your payout reduces by your percentage of fault, but you don't lose your rights entirely.

How it works:

• 20% at fault = 20% reduction. On a $200,000 claim, you'd receive $160,000.
• 30% at fault = 30% reduction. You'd receive $140,000.
• 50% at fault = 50% reduction. You'd receive $100,000.

If your fault exceeds 61%, you lose the right to claim pain and suffering damages. But statutory benefits (medical expenses, weekly income) are still available regardless of fault.

The problem with motorcycle claims:

Insurers routinely inflate your fault percentage using rider stereotypes, not evidence. They'll cite legal lane-filtering as "risky behaviour." They'll say you were "going too fast" without proof. They'll argue you should have seen the car that didn't see you.

What counts as actual fault:

• Speeding and being unable to stop in time.
• Running a red light or failing to signal.
• Using your phone while riding.
• Riding in conditions where it was unsafe to continue.

What doesn't count as fault (despite what insurers argue):

• Lane-filtering legally at 30 km/h or under.
• Riding a motorcycle (yes, they try this one).
• Riding at night or in rain (drivers must watch for motorcycles regardless).
• Riding a sports bike or high-performance motorcycle.

We've reduced insurer-claimed 50% fault down to 10-15% through evidence and advocacy. The difference is worth tens of thousands of dollars.

Yes. Not wearing a helmet doesn't stop you from making a claim. It may reduce your payout, but only in specific circumstances.

Here's how it works. NSW Road Rules require all cyclists to wear an approved helmet. If you weren't wearing one and you suffered head injuries, a court may reduce your compensation by 10 to 20% for contributory negligence.

But the reduction only applies to head injuries. If your injuries are a broken leg, fractured collarbone, spinal damage, or internal injuries, helmet non-use has minimal or no impact on your compensation. A helmet wouldn't have prevented those injuries, and the court recognises that.

The driver is still liable. Whether you wore a helmet or not, the driver still had a duty to watch the road, give way, and avoid hitting you. Their negligence caused the accident. Your helmet status doesn't change that.

What we do. We present medical evidence showing which injuries would have occurred regardless of helmet use. For example, if a car's left-hook crash caused a fractured pelvis and a concussion, the helmet might have reduced the concussion severity, but it wouldn't have prevented the pelvic fracture. We argue for full compensation on the non-head injuries and minimise the reduction on the head injuries.

Bottom line: a missing helmet reduces your award slightly in some cases. It doesn't destroy your claim.

Yes. Lane-filtering is legal in NSW. Legal behaviour cannot be negligence. Full stop.

Under the Road Rules 2014, you can filter between lanes of stopped or slow-moving traffic at speeds up to 30 km/h, where the road has lane markings and it's safe to do so. Despite this, insurers routinely cite lane-filtering as contributory negligence to reduce your payout.

Why their argument fails:

The law says you can filter. You were filtering. That's not negligence.

What matters is what actually caused the accident. Most lane-filtering crashes happen because a car driver:

• Changed lanes without checking mirrors.
• Opened a door without looking.
• Suddenly swerved into the motorcyclist's path.
• Failed to see the motorcycle despite it being clearly visible.

Those are the causal factors. Your decision to filter legally at 25 km/h isn't the cause of the accident. It's the driver's failure to look.

What we do:

We redirect the insurer's attention away from your riding and toward the driver's negligence. What did they do wrong? Did they check their mirrors? Did they signal? Did they look before opening their door?

Courts have consistently rejected the argument that legal lane-filtering is contributory negligence. We use this precedent to counter insurer resistance.

Good evidence makes it much harder for the insurer to dispute your claim. Here's what to gather and when.

At the scene (if you're physically able):

• Photos of your motorcycle and the other vehicle from all angles.
• Photos of road conditions, lane markings, traffic signs, and skid marks.
• The other driver's name, licence, registration, and insurer.
• Names and phone numbers of witnesses.
• Dashcam or helmet cam footage (save it straight away).
• Your police event number.

Your protective gear:

• Photos of all damaged gear (helmet, jacket, pants, gloves, boots).
• Keep the damaged items. Don't throw them out.
• Keep your original purchase receipts if you have them.

Medical evidence:

• Emergency department records.
• GP notes and specialist reports.
• X-rays, CT scans, and MRI results.
• Treatment records (physio, psychology, rehab).
• Photos of injuries at different stages, especially road rash as it heals (or scars).

Income evidence:

• Payslips for 12 months before the accident.
• Tax returns (critical if self-employed).
• A letter from your employer confirming time off work.

Ongoing records:

• A diary of symptoms and how they affect daily life.
• Receipts for all accident-related expenses.

Didn't collect evidence at the scene?

Don't worry. We can get police reports, request traffic camera footage, hire accident reconstruction experts, and find witnesses. But earlier evidence is always stronger.

Yes. Road rash scarring is one of the most significant compensation elements in motorcycle claims.

Road rash happens when your skin contacts the road at speed. It strips away multiple skin layers and the body heals by forming scar tissue. These scars are often visible on your arms, shoulders, legs, and torso, areas that show in short sleeves and summer clothing.

What affects how bad the scarring is:

• How large the area was. Bigger abrasions create more extensive scars.
• How deep the damage went. Deeper wounds create thicker, more prominent scars.
• How your body heals. Some people form raised scars (hypertrophic or keloid). Others form flat but discoloured scars.
• How well the wound was treated early. Good wound care reduces scarring. Poor treatment makes it worse.

The reality: many road rash scars never fully disappear. The colour may fade over 12 to 24 months, but the texture difference between scar tissue and normal skin remains visible and permanent.

What you can claim:

• Scar revision surgery (laser, skin grafting, cosmetic procedures).
• Dermatology treatment to reduce scar appearance.
• Disfigurement damages for the emotional and social impact of visible scarring.
• Compensation for altered sensation, numbness, or nerve pain in scarred areas.

The insurer's usual argument: Scars "fade" and are "not permanent." Dermatological evidence shows this isn't true for most road rash scars. We use specialist evidence to prove scar permanence and get fair compensation for the real impact on your life.

Yes. Every piece of protective gear damaged in the accident is claimable. Motorcycle safety equipment isn't optional. It's designed to take the hit so your body doesn't. When it does its job, it needs replacing.

What's covered:

• Helmets ($300 to $1,000+). Any helmet involved in an impact must be replaced. The internal foam compresses on contact and loses its protective ability, even if the outside looks fine.
• Jackets ($500 to $3,000+). Road rash tears through jackets. After any road contact, they need replacing.
• Pants ($400 to $1,500). Hips, buttocks, and thighs are common road rash areas. Damaged pants can't protect you again.
• Gloves ($150 to $800). Your hands go out first in a fall. Gloves take heavy damage.
• Boots ($300 to $1,200). Ankle protection that's been compromised needs replacing.
• Other gear. Spine protectors, elbow guards, knee armour, textile gear.

The insurer's favourite argument: replacing damaged gear is "betterment" (meaning you're getting something better than what you had). This argument fails. Safety gear that's been through an accident is destroyed. Replacing it with the same spec isn't betterment. It's necessity.

Keep your damaged gear and your original receipts. We claim the full replacement cost.

Yes. Mental health injuries from motorcycle crashes are real and compensable. Many clients deal with these conditions long after their physical wounds heal.

Conditions that qualify:

• PTSD. Flashbacks, nightmares, and avoiding roads or motorcycles.
• Depression. Persistent low mood, loss of interest in activities, withdrawal.
• Anxiety disorders. Constant worry, panic attacks, and fear of riding.
• Adjustment disorder. Emotional distress from dealing with injury and changed life.

What you need:

A formal diagnosis from a psychologist or psychiatrist. Feeling shaken up is normal after a crash. But a legal claim needs a clinical diagnosis linking your condition to the accident. We arrange assessments as part of your claim.

How it affects your payout:

Psychological injuries form part of your overall claim. Severe PTSD or depression that stops you working or riding can add a lot to your total. This is true even when physical injuries have mostly healed but the mental impact stays.

The minor injury question:

Diagnosed conditions like PTSD typically exceed the "minor injury" threshold. That means full common law damages. Pain and suffering included.

Insurers sometimes dismiss these injuries as "not real." We fight that with clinical evidence.

You can claim for the worsening. NSW law recognises that accidents aggravate existing conditions, and the at-fault party is responsible for the additional harm.

Here's the key distinction:

You can't claim for your pre-existing condition itself. You claim for how much worse the accident made it.

A practical example: You have chronic lower back pain from an old injury. Your crash causes a spinal fracture on top of that, needing surgery. You can't claim for the original back pain. But you can claim for the surgery, the recovery, the extra pain, and the new limits the accident caused.

What insurers try to argue:

• "Your condition was getting worse anyway." We counter with medical records showing it was stable before the accident.
• "The accident didn't cause it." We counter with specialist evidence linking the sudden worsening to the crash.
• "You're being over-treated." We counter with medical opinions supporting the treatment you need.

What evidence helps:

Your medical records from before the accident are key. They show your baseline: how bad the condition was, what treatment you had, and whether it was stable. Then we compare that to your records after the crash. The sudden change tells the story.

Don't assume a pre-existing condition kills your claim. In many cases, the compensation for an aggravation is substantial.

Yes. Pillion passengers have full CTP claim rights, and your claim doesn't depend on proving the rider did anything wrong.

How it works:

CTP insurance on the motorcycle covers you as a passenger regardless of who caused the accident. If another vehicle hit you, their CTP insurer pays. If the motorcycle rider was at fault, their CTP insurer pays. Either way, you're covered.

Your rights are strong because:

• You bear no fault for the accident.
• No contributory negligence reduces your claim (unless you did something that contributed, like suddenly moving and causing the rider to lose control, which is rare).
• You claim the same compensation as the rider: medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, scarring, psychological injuries.

Common concerns:

"But I was riding with a friend/family member." Your claim is against the insurance company, not the rider. They face no personal liability and their premiums aren't affected.

"I wasn't wearing a helmet." Helmet use for pillion passengers is required by law. Not wearing one may trigger a contributory negligence argument for head injuries, but it won't eliminate your claim.

"I'm under 18." Parents or guardians lodge the claim on your behalf. The three-year limitation doesn't start until you turn 18.

If you were a pillion passenger in any accident, call 1300 011 149 for a free assessment.