Page 67 - 100% Biker (January 2020)

100% LEGAL

WITH THORNEYCROFT

Thorneycroft Solicitors is delighted to be back with 100% Biker again this

year. 2020 promises to be an exciting year for us – we have renewed existing
sponsorships of Christian Iddon, Belle Vue Speedway and others, and we are

also proud to be supporting the up-and-coming rider Bradley Wilson who will be
competing in the BSB Junior Super Sport and road racing in a Honda 250 Moto 3

e are also continuing our support of the Biker future loss of earnings claim. Will you need to retrain in a less
Down and Upright Derbyshire Campaign. physical role and can the retraining costs be claimed?
If you don’t already know about their work, 2.Care and Assistance: Will you need help with domestic
please Google them and get signed up to one chores and personal care? Even if it’s your husband or wife who
W of their courses, they really are worth it. In will be looking after you, a claim can still be made in this respect.
addition, some of you may be aware of our new legal line 3.Aids and Equipment: Will you need orthotics, aids around
in conjunction with the BMF, as well as our support of the the house such as grabbers, stair rails, stair lifts, jar openers,
Midland Riders Group. As I say, an exciting year ahead! shopping trollies, etc? Even simple things like elastic shoelaces
Right now, some of you might be getting your bikes ready to might be taken into account here and can add not insignificant
head back on the road while some of you will have never put amounts to a claim.
them away. Either way, this is a good time to take stock and 4.Vehicle Adaptions: Will your motorbike need to be
remind you about the basics. None of us like to think about adapted to enable you to ride it? How many bikes are you
it, but accidents can happen and when it’s not your fault, you likely to buy during your lifetime and will they all need
can pursue a claim against the other party. Remember, your adapting? For example, if you damage your hand you might
insurers will tell you that you must use a specific solicitor— need the brake altering and this might then enable you to
this is not correct, you can decide who represents you. We are continue to ride.
specialist motorcycle solicitors and we recommend that you 5.Treatment/Rehabilitation/Surgery: You might need
always use a specialist. Motorbike claims need and deserve a hip or knee replacement in 10-15 years. You might need
specialist attention because the injuries sustained, liability ongoing physiotherapy, CBT or other treatment. If you have
issues and losses incurred are quite specific. had your spleen removed, will you need extra jabs and will
Last year we touched on various topics to give you an idea you need to pay for them? The cost of any procedure and
of some of the issues that can arise when you make a claim. associated costs all needs to be taken into account, so, for
As we are staring a new year and looking ahead, we will in example, if the medical experts say you will need a knee
this article consider future losses. You will recall from some of replacement in ten years’ time, you can claim for the costs of
our earlier articles that your claim will consist of your injury, the operation to take place on a private basis, the costs of any
financial losses, and future financial losses. likely time off work and also the cost of any care you will need
Future losses tend to arise where a Claimant is seriously while you recover.
injured. Due to your vulnerability when involved in a collision 6.Accommodation: In the most serious cases your
with a ‘metal box’, it is likely that your injuries will be serious accommodation needs to be explored. This however is a very
and may affect you into the future, long after your claim technical area—just be aware of it
has been finalised. It’s important that this is taken into We should point out that all future losses need to be
consideration as once your claim has settled you will not supported by evidence and, in particular, your medical
be able to revert back for further compensation. The area evidence. Hopefully you will never need to be in a
of future losses is complex, and this article should only position where you need to know all of this, but if the
be taken as a broad overview. The evidential side of it worst happens make sure your solicitors are considering
may not be straight forward. In addition, the calculations your future needs as well as the present situation.
used for arriving at a figure for your future losses are also If you have any questions, please feel free to email me
quite complex with something called the Ogden tables at marylomas@thorneycrofts.co.uk.
being used to find a multiplier for the costs. We look forward to seeing you at events
Consideration should be given to the following throughout the year and please come and make
issues (this is not an exhaustive list but gives you yourselves know to us! Our first outing is the Dirt
some idea of what should considered). Bike Show at Telford, Shropshire, on 15-16th
1.Earning Capacity: Will you be able to work February, followed by the Manchester Bike
as you did before the accident? Will you need Show on 28-29th March. We also have our own
to reduce your hours? Take on a less demanding Ride 2 Buxton event on the 17th May—keep an
job? Consideration needs to be given to a potential eye out or details.

Any question, comments, invites to talk to your club, etc., please email marylomas@thorneycrofts.co.uk

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