Bikelawyer

09/10/2026

🏍️ Is it a Hire Bike or a Courtesy Bike? This week's question from a Motorcycle News reader:

𝐌𝐂𝐍 𝐋𝐀𝐖 – 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐋 𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃

After an accident, riders are often offered a replacement motorcycle whilst theirs is being repaired or replaced.

The terms "hire bike" and "courtesy bike" are frequently used interchangeably, but the legal and financial implications can be very different.

Why does the distinction matter?

Read Andrew Campbell answer here:

https://www.bikelawyer.co.uk/mcn-law-columns/is-it-a-hire-bike-or-a-courtesy-bike/

I recently left hospital after being hit by a car when out on a ride and suffered from a few broken ribs. A bike hire company has contacted me and offered

06/10/2026

🏍️ I Dropped my Bike Because of a Defect in the Road Surface. Can I Claim Compensation? This week's question from a Motorcycle News reader:

𝐌𝐂𝐍 𝐋𝐀𝐖 – 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐋 𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃

A rider lost control after encountering a defect in the road and suffered injuries when the bike went down.

Potholes and poor road surfaces are a common cause of motorcycle accidents, but not every defect will result in a successful claim.

When can the highway authority be held responsible?

Read our answer here: https://www.bikelawyer.co.uk/mcn-law-columns/i-dropped-my-bike-due-to-the-road-surface/

A few weeks ago, I was riding home from work on a damp road when I lost grip while negotiating a bend and came off my bike. Thankfully, I wasn't seriously

29/09/2026

This week's question from a Motorcycle News reader: Am I automatically at fault for riding into the vehicle in front?

🏍️ 𝐌𝐂𝐍 𝐋𝐀𝐖 – 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐋 𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃

A rider collided with a vehicle after the driver braked suddenly and unexpectedly.

Many riders assume that hitting the rear of another vehicle means they are automatically at fault, but can a rider still bring a successful claim when the vehicle in front suddenly brakes?

Read Andrew Campbell's answer here:
https://www.bikelawyer.co.uk/mcn-law-columns/they-slammed-on-in-front-of-me/

22/09/2026

🏍️ 𝐌𝐂𝐍 𝐋𝐀𝐖 – 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐋 𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃

This week's question from a Motorcycle News reader:

🏍️ What if I can no longer ride due to PTSD?

A rider was injured when a driver failed to see him whilst riding his BMW R1200.

Although his physical injuries healed, he has been unable to return to riding because of ongoing fear and anxiety. Instead, he now relies on a car that is significantly more expensive to run.

Can those additional motoring costs form part of a compensation claim?

Read Andrew Campbell's answer here:
https://www.bikelawyer.co.uk/mcn-law-columns/i-have-ptsd-from-my-accident/


________________________________________

In October 2024, I was involved in an accident when a driver failed to see me while I was riding my BMW R1200. I suffered both physical injuries and

12/05/2026

𝐌𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞...

This week’s MCN Law column for Motorcycle News: Riders ask and Andrew Campbell answers.


This week, a reader asks for help after his insurance appointed solicitors missed limitation…


https://www.bikelawyer.co.uk/news/my-solicitor-missed-the-deadline/

I am concerned that my solicitor may not be being fully transparent with me. I have a personal injury claim that has been ongoing since January 2023. The

05/05/2026

𝐌𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭…



This week’s MCN Law column for Motorcycle News: Riders ask and we answer.



This week, a rider’s helmet came off during an accident and the insurer says he must have failed to fasten it…



https://www.bikelawyer.co.uk/mcn-law-columns/my-helmet-came-off/

I was involved in a motorcycle accident in the autumn when a car struck me while I was filtering through traffic. I am currently pursuing a personal

28/04/2026

𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐫-𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝, 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐈 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐭?


This week’s MCN Law column for Motorcycle News: Riders ask and Andrew Campbell answers.


This week, a rider hit from behind faces contributory negligence arguments for stopping suddenly…



https://www.bikelawyer.co.uk/mcn-law-columns/i-was-rear-end-shunted/

I am currently pursuing a personal injury claim after my bike was struck from behind by a transit van. Although this might seem straightforward, my

21/04/2026

𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭



This week’s MCN Law column for Motorcycle News: Riders ask and Andrew Campbell answers.

This week, a rider bringing a personal injury claim asks about the effect on his mental health…



https://www.bikelawyer.co.uk/mcn-law-columns/depression-after-my-accident/

I had a nasty motorbike accident in August 2024. My doctor has advised that I’ve recovered as much as can reasonably be expected from my physical

15/04/2026

𝐎𝐢𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬

Diesel spills are one of the most dangerous road hazards for motorcyclists - yet many riders are told nothing can be done if the vehicle responsible isn’t traced.

That isn’t always true.

Bikelawyer are the leading specialist solicitors in diesel and oil spill motorcycle claims. We’ve put together a clear guide explaining:

• When a claim may be possible
• Who could be responsible
• What to do immediately after an accident

https://www.bikelawyer.co.uk/our-services/accident-solicitors/diesel-spills-claims/

Diesel spill accidents can be some of the worst to come to terms with. You’re riding along, doing nothing wrong and then all of a sudden you lose

14/04/2026

𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐤𝐞?



This week’s MCN Law column for Motorcycle Newss: Riders ask and Andrew Campbell answers.



This week, a rider who accepted a hire bike after an accident and is concerned he might be asked to foot the bill.



https://www.bikelawyer.co.uk/mcn-law-columns/should-i-have-accepted-a-hire-bike/

I was involved in an accident last year where my motorcycle was hit from behind at a junction. It took two months for repairs to be completed, after which