Consumer advice for bikers
Author: sburke | Posted: 18.04.2012Whether you’re new to motorcycles or you’ve been a biker for over 20 years, it’s important to know your rights. These can take a range of forms, from trading rights when buying a new motorbike to making a compensation claim after an accident. Read on for valuable information and advice for bikers.
For starters, if you’re buying a new bike, it’s important to be aware of your basic consumer rights. In the UK, the law states that goods should be of satisfactory quality, fit for the purpose for which they were bought, and should conform to their description. If you’ve bought a new motorcycle that you feel fails to comply with these basic standards, you’re within your rights to take it back provided you act promptly.
There are some variations to be aware of: for example, if you buy your bike online. If you are buying a bike on the Internet, make sure you know your cancellation and return rights before making your purchase. And beware that if you’re buying second hand bikes from a site like eBay or Gumtree, you might not be able to make a return at all – or at least you'll find it very difficult to do so.
In addition to consumer rights, bikers should also be aware of their insurance rights if they are the victim of theft or get into an accident. If your bike is stolen or damaged, you should make a claim on your own motorcycle insurance policy (provided that you have adequate cover). If you’re in an accident that was the other party’s fault, you need to make a claim on their insurance policy. In exceptional cases, you may need to claim against the Motor Insurers Bureau – for instance, if you’re the victim of a hit-and-run accident.
Most of the above insurance claims can generally be made on your own, without the assistance of a solicitor. However, if you’re making compensation claim for a personal injury you suffered as a result of a motorcycle accident, you will likely need to employ legal assistance. A solicitor will tell you if you’re able to make a claim for the personal injury you suffered and should be able to indicate how much you can expect in compensation.
You will need to employ a solicitor for this kind of claim because the award of compensation hinges on being able to prove fault. Your legal team must offer evidence of who has caused the accident or injury in order for your compensation claim to be successful. If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident that left you injured – or you fear you may have caused one – contact a solicitor today to find out more about your rights.
About Author:
The author of this article is a part of a digital marketing agency that works with brands like Shoosmiths. The content contained in this article is for information purposes only and should not be used to make any financial decisions.
The author of this article is a part of a digital marketing agency that works with brands like Shoosmiths. The content contained in this article is for information purposes only and should not be used to make any financial decisions.
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