Those who have owned a motorcycle know what a wonderful feeling and experience it is to ride one. They will also be fully aware of how risky driving a motorcycle can be, which is part of the thrill unfortunately. Having a motorcycle accident compared to a car accident is completely different story. Having been involved in both a car accident and a motorcycle I can vouch that having a motorcycle accident is far scarier and the injuries can be a lot more severe than a car accident. With a car you are protected by the body of the car and its seatbelt. With a motorcycle accident you have nothing but a helmet as protection. When you get thrown off a motorcycle your actual body gets hurled across the road and sometimes into the path of other road vehicles. It is not surprising that a motorcyclist is 45 times more likely to be killed in a road accident than a car driver.

In 2007 the amount of people who were killed or seriously injured was 6,737 which is a seriously high number. The amount is up 4% from the previous year. However the Department for transport has shown that a significant proportion of non-fatal injury accidents are not reported to the police. So the amount of motorcycle accidents that actually took place in 2007 will never be known.

The reasons why motorcycle accident happen can vary, some of the reasons are due to poor visibility and slippery roads due to poor weather conditions. Also poor maintenance of roads often results in motorcycle accidents. Careless driving and not seeing a motorcycle is another reason. Those killed from motorcycle accidents were more than likely killed through a severe head injury.

If you have had a motorcycle accident you should always ensure the police attend the scene to make a detailed report of the accident. This report will be needed to make a claim for compensation. Also any details you have of the accident should be documented as soon as the accident as taken place to ensure the details are as accurate as possible. Obviously if you have severe injuries your first port of call will be to seek professional medial help. Once your well enough to talk or write about the accident you should do so. The earlier you get these details down the better and it is best to contact an accident claim solicitor as soon as physically possible.

Before you put in a claim for compensation make sure you have all of the following details to hand:

• Police report

• Name and address of other parties involved

• Time and date and place of accident

• Description of accident including a rough picture or diagram

• List of all items damaged, including the motorbike and any clothing

• Medical reports – these can obtained at a later date

• Days off work – how much salary is owed to you

• List of your injuries – physical and mental

If the person responsible for your accident doesn't stop or did stop but admitted to having no insurance you can still make a claim but it will have to be dealt with by the Motor Insurers Bureau.

Many people don't bother putting in for compensation because they think it is a long and difficult process. This is a misconception as claiming compensation is very easy and it costs nothing. All it takes is one phone call and then one form to fill in. That's it done. Your solicitor takes care of everything for you; you just sit back and wait for your compensation cheque.

Claiming compensation is everybody's legal and civil right. If the accident was not your fault, don't suffer in silence, pick up the phone and start a claim for compensation today.