With this in mind, all bikers should adopt a defensive riding style and consider taking an advanced riding course to improve their skills.

Here are the most common types of accident:

Junctions

A large number of motorbike accidents occur at junctions, where a vehicle emerges from a side road. Remember that as a motorcyclist, the width of your bike is much less than a car, it follows that you are less visible to other motorists.

Consider wearing reflective clothing and ride with your lights on. Always consider the line of sight that the motorist has, and adopt a road position so the emerging vehicle will have the best sight.

Remember: a motorist may well have a door pillar obscuring their view, so adopt your gear and speed early to anticipate their potential manoeuvre.

Overtaking/filtering

You may be asking what the difference is between filtering and overtaking.

This distinction can become muddied in litigation and is often open to some interpretation based on the available evidence.

• Filtering can be described as 'passing slower moving traffic whilst occupying the same traffic lane as the vehicle in which you're moving past'.
  It's always completed at a speed relative to that of the slower vehicle, allowing you to stop if the unexpected happens. 
• Overtaking can be described as 'moving out past the line of traffic, to accelerate past a vehicle before checking that it's safe to rejoin the traffic lane'.
  Always look ahead as well as behind and around you, indicate your intentions and adjust your speed by accelerating smoothly. Do not overtake at a junction and look out for hazards which may cause another driver to change their course.

Cornering

It probably comes as no surprise that these types of road traffic accidents occur most regularly in the countryside as a result of riders losing control of their bike.

Always negotiate bends at a speed appropriate for your experience and in accordance with law.

Plan ahead; looking for road furniture which may show how tight the bend is going to be. As well as the customary chevrons, look at the positioning of trees and telegraph poles. Once again, adopt the right gear and ask yourself whether you'd be able to stop safely on your side of the road if something unexpected were to happen?

Bike condition

Always keep your motorbike maintained and roadworthy, and before going out check your brakes, lights and indicators, tyre pressures and tread, chain tensioning, and suspension settings.

A poorly maintained bike can potentially be far more serious and life threatening than a poorly maintained car.

Associate and motorcycle personal injury claims team leader Scott Blainey said: "We've specialist motorcycle teams with extensive experience in putting bikers back where they belong following an accident – on their pride and joy."

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All documents should be read and used in accordance with the terms and conditions. This document is for your general information only and is not a detailed statement of the law. It is provided to you free of charge and should not be used as a substitute for specific legal advice. If you require specific legal advice please contact our helpline on 03700 86 86 86.

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