Crash bars good thing or bad thing in motorcycle injury claims

Crash bars remain a subject of some controversy in motorcycle circles; while there is little evidence to support the belief, many bikers believe that they can protect against motorcycle injury in a road traffic accident.

Several companies that sell the motorbike accessories, also known as case guards, engine guards or highway bars, mention protection as one of the reasons to fit them to a bike. Some manufacturers fit them as standard.

One forum user cited the story of a friend whose crash bars had supported the bike as it slid on its side for several yards, and how this saved the friend's leg.

However, there are no countries whose laws require the bars to be fitted. Furthermore, there is a legal precedent of a failed motorbike crash claim, in which an accident victim's personal injury solicitor could not show that the absence of bars meant that the manufacturer was liable for his client's injuries.

The classic investigation into motorbike accidents is the Hurt Report, which claims openly that any protection offered by fitting crash bars may be cancelled out by the increase in a rider's chances of upper leg injury in a collision.

But more recent UK research has suggested that this may be out of date, and the British government has proposed an EC initiative that may reopen the question once more.

Making a motorcycle injury compensation claim
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident that was not your fault, you may be able to claim well-deserved compensation with the help of YouClaim, whether or not you were equipped with crash bars.

With YouClaim, you have access to one of the UK's finest panels of motorcycle accident solicitors, all drawn from firms governed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority's professional rules, and all prepared to work on a basis that makes your motorbike compensation claim free to you.

As no win, no fee lawyers, we would not charge you a fee in a lost case; in a won case, as the great majority of ours are, we charge our winning fee to your opponent, and pass 100 percent compensation on to you. We take no cut, and protect you from other costs.

Contact us today to see how we can help you. Our advisors are available through internet chat or through our UK hotline, on 0800 10 757 95. Alternatively, if you complete a callback form, you can tell us when to call you. Either way, we'll endeavour to help you lead your motorcycle injury claim to a successful conclusion.