Motorcyclists stand up for their rights
Bikers up and down the land are given pretty bad press. We are stereotyped as a bunch or greasy, hairy men who like nothing better than to rev our engines and tear up the tarmac, causing havoc up and down the country's roads.
Fair enough, there are a few who fit the bill but the fact is none of us actually want to be involved in motorcycle accidents, most of us keep within the legal speed limit and many of just use our bikes as an alternative mode of transport to the more popular car.
According to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, motorcyclists take up less than 1% of motor traffic yet bikers suffer 14% of the deaths and serious personal injuries reported as happening on British roads.
We take these kinds of stats very seriously and certainly are not in favour of going out there and causing needless motorcycle accidents. But we also believe that everyone, no matter what the alleged crime, has a right to remain innocent until proven guilty.
The fact that this stereotyping of bikers has little credence is reflected in the numbers of riders who successfully obtain motorcycle accident compensation from the insurers of car drivers.
Biker speed traps
Gatso speed cameras are placed up and down the land. In fact, there are more than 4,000 fixed Gatso speed cameras used by local authorities across the UK today. These cameras are rear facing so that the flash does not blind oncoming motorists. This has the double effect of making them not always visible, which of course shouldn't matter if you are riding within the speed limit!
The cameras are designed to verify a motor vehicle's speed by making an uncomplicated distance-over-time calculation. Specifically, the distance travelled by a motorbike is determined by counting how many lines, which are distanced two metres apart, are crossed between the first and second photograph. This figure is then divided by the half-second interval between the two photos.
While the decline in road accidents over the past few years could be a direct result of an increase in these speed control devices, there have been reported incidents where bikers have been sent letters in the post informing them they have been caught speeding when they are certain that they did not break the law.
After receiving one such accusation, one biker, Brian, managed to retrieve the incriminating Gatso photos from the authorities and MCN magazine used the photos to prove his innocence, without the need of him going to court. Following a report of this story, camera authorities throughout the UK agreed that they would continue to issue photos on the request of those accused of speeding.
However, now it seems that some authorities are only supplying motorcyclists with just one Gatso photo if they question their culpability. As both photos are vital to calculate the accuracy of the speed measured, this means that it is impossible to tell if they are innocent or not and they are still faced with the prospect of going to court and risking a hefty penalty.
The fixed penalty for being caught speeding on Gatso is three points on your licence as well as a £60 fine. However, if you contest a speeding accusation, bikers risk both a £2,000 fine and gaining six points on their licence.
Make a no win no fee motorcycle accident claim today
If, despite your careful riding and attention to staying within the speed limit, you have been involved in a motorcycle accident that wasn't your fault then we are here to help.
YouClaim have helped many bikers who have been involved in road accidents and sustained serious personal injuries as a result. We know that motorcycle accidents can have many devastating effects including causing harm to riders and their bikes. Having the expertise of a no win, no fee claims team experienced in successfully resolving compensation claims is an advantage that is second to none.
In association with a panel of expert personal injury solicitors, we can help you to claim personal injury compensation and even arrange for your bike to be repaired by a reputable mechanic.
The services that we offer are completely free of charge and we guarantee that when you make a no win no fee claim through us you will receive every penny of compensation awarded to you.
Simply fill out one of our online assessment forms with details of your accident claim, request for a member of our team to give you a call back at a convenient time or give us a call on our free phone number, 0800 10 757 95, to make a motorcycle accident claim today.
