FILTERING ACCIDENTS
Filtering accidentclaims.
Been injured while filtering through traffic? Tell us what happened. Our specialist biker lawyers will listen, look at the circumstances and explain your options.
A BIKER LAWYER'S PERSPECTIVE
UNDERSTANDING YOUR ACCIDENT
A familiar manoeuvre.A sudden collision.
Filtering means moving past stationary or slow-moving traffic on your motorcycle. An accident can unfold when a vehicle changes direction, a gap closes or someone moves across your path.
SITUATIONS YOU MAY RECOGNISE
A vehicle changes lanes.
You are moving alongside a queue when a driver moves across into your path. The traffic around you and the timing of that movement help explain what happened.
A driver turns across you.
A vehicle turns into a side road or entrance as you pass the traffic. The junction layout, signals and view ahead are all part of the picture.
Traffic moves through a gap.
A driver emerges through a gap in a queue, leaving you little time to react. It matters where each vehicle was and what either of you could see.
HOW WE ASSESS YOUR CASE
A closer look.A clearer picture.
The traffic around you.
Your road position, the moving traffic and when the other vehicle changed direction help establish the sequence.
The space and sight lines.
Junctions, road markings, visibility and vehicle speeds help explain the space you had and what you could see.
What the evidence shows.
Footage, witnesses, photographs and vehicle damage help us compare the different accounts.
The effect on you.
Your injuries, treatment, time off work and everyday difficulties help us understand the support you need and the losses to investigate.
NEXT STEPS & QUESTIONS
A few next steps.Some clearer answers.
WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW
Put your safety first.
Your safety and any medical treatment come first. Gather information only when it is safe, and ask someone to help if you are unable to do so.
Keep the traffic picture.
Save original camera footage, witness details and safely taken photographs. Note the queue, junctions, road markings and the movement that brought the vehicle into your path.
Make the necessary reports.
Tell your motor insurer about the accident, even if you are not making a claim. If details were not exchanged at the scene, report it to the police promptly; a 24-hour legal reporting deadline can apply.
Talk through your options.
Tell us what happened and what concerns you. You can start with the information you have, and we can explain what may be needed next.
Questions about filtering
Does filtering automatically make me at fault?
No. Filtering is recognised in the Highway Code, but the way it was carried out and the actions of other road users still matter. Speed, visibility, road markings, junctions and vehicle movements need to be considered in the circumstances of your accident.
What if the insurer says I was to blame?
Tell us what has been said and share any correspondence. An allegation is not the same as a settled finding of responsibility. We can consider it against the evidence. Where you contributed to the injury or loss, the compensation recoverable may be reduced.
Do I need helmet-camera footage?
No. Footage can help, but photographs, witness accounts, vehicle damage, records and your own account may also be relevant. We can discuss what evidence is available and what further enquiries may help. Whether a claim can succeed depends on the case as a whole.
How soon should I get advice?
Get advice promptly. Claims have time limits, and recordings or other evidence may become harder to obtain. The deadline depends on the location, circumstances and claim route, including matters such as age. We can check the position for your case rather than relying on a general date.
How is a claim funded?
We can talk through the funding arrangements available for your case, including any fees, insurance costs or deductions and what happens if the claim does not succeed. You should understand those terms before deciding whether to proceed.