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Thread: Solicitor calls for UK law change to protect motorcyclists

  1. #1
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    Solicitor calls for UK law change to protect motorcyclists

    Simon Gibson, head of personal injury at Kirwans Solicitors claims the level of compensation handed down by the Courts to motorcyclists fails to reflect the seriousness of the injuries suffered, fostering a ‘them and us’ attitude in which bikers feel car drivers and the Courts have a prejudice against them.

    Mr Gibson said: “The law fails to offer the motorcyclist any level of protection comparable to the car driver. If an accident occurs whilst they are filtering through traffic or overtaking a stationary line - they will be likely to be found partially to blame.”

    “Neither of these manoeuvres is an offence under the Highway Code. Nevertheless, the courts usually conclude that filtering/overtaking is a manifestly dangerous manoeuvre and are often quick to find that a motorcyclist could have prevented an accident by not carrying such out. The implication seems to be that the rider should queue in slow or stationary traffic in the same manner as a car. “

    Mr Gibson added: “I am constantly frustrated by the compensation available for the injuries sustained by motorcyclists when compared to the motor car driver. The law simply must be reviewed to afford the motorcyclist the level of legal protection which their lack of physical protection merits.”
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    What can one say...


    WOW.

    True it's not quite a burecrat(sp?) or politian getting the inequality of the situation, but still.

    Is there any background to this being brought up? I know you guys have a reasonably organised lobby group for Riders. Is this just a result of that, or has there been a spait(sp?) of car-faulted motorcycle injuries/fatalities?
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    Thumbs up

    Hear hear. I think that it should be law that bikes filter and the cagers made aware of it so they start using those things called mirrors and observation!!

    They can not have it both ways they want to reduce the traffic problems but then are hard on the ones that are trying to just that!!!!

    Makes me

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    Just wanted to share this since it sort of relates to the topic...

    today was the first time a cager actually moved on the side of the lane (after seeing me coming thru traffic)....

    Thank you to the Maroon Subaru Legacy SW owner....hope all drivers look in the mirror when they are stationery in traffic...

    Well my 2 cents

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by v.ros`
    Just wanted to share this since it sort of relates to the topic...

    today was the first time a cager actually moved on the side of the lane (after seeing me coming thru traffic)....

    Thank you to the Maroon Subaru Legacy SW owner....hope all drivers look in the mirror when they are stationery in traffic...

    Well my 2 cents
    Over here in the UK, we've been getting a steady increase in the number of drivers who move over to give you space. Of course, you still have to have your wits about you, so you are ready for the "mirror, what mirror?" brigade - not to forget the 'Drawn to your headlight like a moth to a flame' bunch (the number of drivers who wander wider in the lane as they get fixated on your headlight amazes me), but a lot of people now seem to be bike aware and seem to realise there is no point in everyone being stuck in traffic.

    Which is nice.
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  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ghost Lemur
    Is there any background to this being brought up? I know you guys have a reasonably organised lobby group for Riders. Is this just a result of that, or has there been a spait(sp?) of car-faulted motorcycle injuries/fatalities?
    I'm guessing it just comes from sheer frustration. But there was some research done a while back that showed something like 67% of all motorcycle accidents involved another vehicle... and the highest proportion of them were the "Sorry mate, I didn't see you" type - the ones where we come off very much worse.

    As you mentioned our lobbying groups, thought you might be interested in this article on them.. They've done well over the years, and we still need them now. We're hit on both domestic and European fronts, so we need all the help we can get!
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