A motorcycle accident can lead to serious trauma or even death for the rider. You have rights if you were injured whilst riding a motorcycle in Melbourne, Bendigo or another area of Victoria. Arnold Dallas McPherson Injury Lawyers (ADM) have decades of experience lodging successful motorcycle accident claims.
Motorcyclists account for approximately 4% of road users, yet they are involved in around 17% of all serious road accidents [Source: TAC]. With little physical protection compared to other motorists, motorcycle riders are particularly vulnerable to life-altering injuries or worse.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident — or have lost a loved one who you depended on — you may be entitled to financial compensation. This can include damages for pain and suffering, loss of income, medical expenses, and the financial impact of losing a financially and/or personally dependent family member.
Motorcycle accident lawyers at ADM know the difficulties you are facing. We offer expert legal guidance paired with compassion, human warmth and respect for your unique situation. Our goal is to obtain all of the entitlements you are due while supporting you in your recovery.
If you are injured in a motorcycle accident in Victoria, you need to lodge a claim with the TAC (Transport Accident Commission). The TAC is the Victorian compensation scheme for road accidents, which includes injuries sustained by motorbike riders.
Motorbike accident claims can be lodged with the TAC online or by phone at 1300 654 329. If you received hospital treatment for your injuries, the hospital may be able to lodge the claim on your behalf.
You will need to provide the TAC with a number of details about the accident, including the time and date it took place, information for the parties involved, vehicle registration numbers and more. This may be difficult if you were taken to hospital straight from the scene.
A motorcycle accident lawyer at ADM can help gather all the required information. We can also compile records of your injuries, which is critical for securing benefits if you can’t work after the crash.
Injured motorcyclists may have substantial entitlements after an accident. Motorbikes offer minimal safety protection, so the injuries are likely to be severe. Benefits available from the TAC after a motorcycle accident include:
Our motorbike accident solicitors can also assess your right to additional compensation. If your injuries result in permanent impairment over 10%, you are entitled to a one-off impairment benefit. You may also have a claim for common law compensation if you (a) sustain a serious injury and (b) the accident was caused by another’s negligence.
Most common law damages claims are resolved through settlement negotiations with the TAC. A favourable settlement can compensate you for the loss of your past and future earnings, as well as pain and suffering. As of 1 July 2025, the TAC places a cap of $1,530,470 on loss of earnings and a $680,160 cap on pain and suffering damages.
There is no way to say how much ‘most’ motorcycle accident claims settle for because every case is different. What doesn’t change is the importance of retaining a law firm with in-depth knowledge of the TAC’s Common Law Protocols. These rules streamline the process of claiming common law compensation and reaching fair settlements.
Arnold Dallas McPherson Injury Lawyers have decades of experience navigating the Common Law Protocols and maximising settlements for clients injured in all types of transport accidents. Our recoveries in TAC matters are amongst the highest in Victoria.
You have 12 months from the date of the accident to lodge your initial claim. The TAC may allow more time if you didn’t realise you had an injury or couldn’t have discovered the injury within 12 months, but exceptions are rarely made.
The best option is to lodge your motorcycle accident claim as soon as possible, ideally with the assistance of a specialist lawyer. Contact ADM today for FREE to protect your rights and get started on your claim straight away.
You aren’t required to have a lawyer handle your motorbike accident claim, but it is likely in your best interest. A skilled lawyer who knows the TAC process can help you obtain all of the benefits you are due, as well as explore your right to additional compensation.
Motorcycle accident solicitors at Arnold Dallas McPherson Injury Lawyers are available 24/7 to answer your questions and discuss your concerns. Our firm makes each client a priority, providing plainspoken advice and listening carefully so we can represent you with the utmost effectiveness.
You may be eligible to make a TAC motorcycle accident claim if you were a rider, pillion passenger, pedestrian, or witness injured in a transport accident involving a motorcycle on a public road in Victoria.
Dependent family members of someone who has died or suffered a serious injury in a motorcycle crash may also be able to lodge a TAC dependency claim.
The TAC usually accepts or rejects liability within 21 days of receiving your claim.
More complex motorcycle accident claims may take longer, especially if additional investigation or medical information is required.
No, attending hospital is not mandatory. However, you should seek immediate medical treatment if you are injured. Early medical assessment ensures your injuries are recorded, which is important evidence for your TAC motorcycle claim.
Yes. Even if you were partly at fault, you may still be entitled to TAC benefits, including:
However, your level of fault may reduce or limit your eligibility for common law damages. If you are found criminally responsible for the accident, the TAC will only cover medical and like expenses.
If a defect or mechanical malfunction contributed to your motorcycle accident, responsibility may rest with:
These claims can be complex, so obtaining legal advice can help clarify your options.
Fault does not prevent you from accessing medical and like expenses through the TAC.
Unless you are deemed criminally responsible, you may also be eligible for loss of earnings and an impairment benefit.
You may still be able to pursue common law damages, depending on your degree of fault.
The TAC does not cover motorcycle damage. Repairs or replacement are handled through your motorcycle insurance policy. If you do not have insurance, it is unlikely you will be reimbursed for the cost of a damaged or written-off motorcycle.
If your crash was caused by unsafe or poorly maintained roads, liability may fall on the relevant authority, such as VicRoads or the local council. This depends on whether the hazard was known, reported, or should reasonably have been fixed.
Even if you are fully kitted out with a helmet and other safety gear, you are likely to be injured if you crash your motorbike. Far too many families also face the tragedy of a rider who never comes home.
You need support and comfort in this situation, not to be treated like a number. While the large personal injury firms in Victoria often take a corporate approach, ADM is concerned with your wellbeing and getting you the outcome you deserve.
Our team works with you closely to understand exactly what you and your family are going through. This allows us to advocate for you effectively and offer reassurance at stressful moments.
Call Arnold Dallas McPherson Injury Lawyers at 1800 242 588 today for a FREE consultation. With offices in Bendigo, Melbourne and a number of metropolitan and rural communities, ADM is able to provide expert help with motorcycle accident claims throughout Victoria.
Nobody expects to be involved in a motorcycle accident. As a rider, you take every precaution to avoid injury. But if something goes wrong unexpectedly, you need to know the steps to take after a crash.
ADM recommends you do the following in the event of a motorcycle accident:
Check yourself for injuries and get out of the roadway. This will reduce the chances of being struck by another vehicle.
Dial 000 if you or anybody else is injured. You will also need to report the accident to the police before you can lodge a claim with the TAC.
Ask for the name and address of anyone involved in the accident. If another driver was involved, get their vehicle registration number and the name of the vehicle’s owner.
Take photos of your injuries, the damage to your motorbike, the position of the vehicle(s) and the condition of the roadway. You should also make note of weather and lighting conditions at the scene.
Ask nearby bystanders what they saw, as this can help prove that the other driver was negligent. Be sure to get their contact information in case our motorcycle accidents lawyers need to follow up with them at a later date.
If you were not transported to hospital, see your doctor or visit the local emergency room for a complete examination. The injuries from a motorbike accident may not always be apparent, and you don’t want to wait for complications to occur.
If the police did not attend the scene, you will need to report the accident yourself. The report should be made at the police station nearest the scene of the crash.
The TAC requires that you participate in your recovery to maintain your eligibility for benefits. Attending all medical appointments and following your doctors’ recommendations are key not only for healing, but for maintaining your entitlements.
Look for a TAC accident lawyer specialising in motorcycle accident claims. Arnold Dallas McPherson Injury Lawyers are available 24/7 and offer FREE consultations. Our team is here to help you navigate the TAC and put your mind at ease.
Reach out to ADM today for assistance with your motorbike claim.
You will need to make a claim within 12 months of the accident. A motorbike accident solicitor at ADM can assist you with the lodgement process and help you claim all entitlements, from no-fault benefits to an impairment benefit to common law compensation.
We’ve created a 10-Step Guide on what to do if you’ve been in a road accident. Your rights are the same regardless of the type of vehicle you have been injured in. The guide will explain your legal obligations, how to take evidence, who to call, and legal tips if you wish to pursue any legal action.
10-Step Guide If You’ve Been Injured In a Car AccidentFrom 2024–2025, the TAC recorded 123 fatalities amongst motorcyclists. More than 1,000 motorcyclists were hospitalised following road accidents in 2024, 17% of whom were in hospital for more than 14 days.
The majority of crashes occur in and around Melbourne, although many motorcyclists are injured or killed in rural Victoria. It is important for riders to recognise that they face dangers on both city streets and rural roads.
Other key statistics from the TAC’s Motorcycle Monitor include:
The behaviours and attitudes of drivers and motorcyclists alike can have a significant impact on the safety of all road users. At ADM, we know the risks riders face and the terrible consequences that can occur when motorists are careless. We put ourselves in our clients’ place so we can serve as capable advocates.
As experienced personal injury lawyers, we help clients who suffer a wide range of injuries in road accidents. Motorcyclists are amongst the most severely injured people we serve. Some of the most common injuries in motorbike accident claims include:
These injuries can have a profound impact on your life. If they result in permanent disability that prevents you from working or living as you did before, Arnold Dallas McPherson Injury Lawyers can help you make claims for additional compensation.
A motorcycle accident has many potential causes. Lawyers at ADM are very well-versed in these claims. We can provide expert representation in all types of scenarios, including:
Being rear-ended by a larger vehicle is likely to launch you over your handlebars and onto the road. This can result in a host of severe injuries.
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Includes accidents caused by vehicles failing to give way, running red lights, or turning across the path of a motorcycle at an intersection.
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Drivers travelling the wrong way may crash into a motorbike head-on. These accidents are likely to cause catastrophic and even fatal injuries for the rider.
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Opening a door into traffic can seriously harm passing motorcyclists. You may be entitled to common law compensation if a driver or passenger failed to check before opening the door, causing you serious injury.
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Happens when a driver fails to check blind spots or misjudges distance while changing lanes, striking a motorcycle travelling beside them.
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These occur when a vehicle turns across the path of an oncoming motorcycle — often because the driver fails to see the rider or misjudges their speed.
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Includes crashes caused by potholes, loose gravel, slippery surfaces, or road debris. These conditions pose a far greater risk to motorcycles than cars.
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Sometimes caused by mechanical failure, poor road conditions, or evasive manoeuvres to avoid a collision — even if no other vehicle physically contacts the rider.
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Motorcycles caught in chain-reaction crashes, often on freeways, are at heightened risk due to their smaller size and lack of protection.
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Accidents occurring when a motorcycle moves between lanes of slower or stopped traffic, especially if other drivers are unaware or not expecting it.
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The motorcyclist, despite maintaining a reasonable distance, is unable to stop in time and collides into the rear of the braking vehicle. In the process, they are thrown from the bike, suffering multiple fractures and head trauma.
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This list is not exhaustive. If you or someone you love was injured in any type of road accident involving a motorbike, ADM can determine what entitlements you have through the TAC. Call us in Melbourne, Bendigo or elsewhere in Victoria at 1800 242 58 to get started on your motorcycle accident claim.
Motorcyclists may have significant entitlements through the TAC if they are injured in a transport accident. Our expert lawyers can pursue all benefits and lump sum payments you are due. These may include:
Experienced legal counsel is vital for protecting your rights and obtaining the maximum benefits and payouts. Arnold Dallas McPherson Injury Lawyers get to know you personally so we can represent your best interests and achieve the optimal outcome.
Related: Accessing Financial Support Following a Transport Accident
Discover real-life examples of TAC accident compensation and understand how damages are calculated in TAC claims. Read more in our detailed guide:
Calculating Damages in TAC ClaimsIt is generally in your best interest to have a skilled motorcycle accident solicitor handle your claim. You need time to heal from your injuries and adjust to changes in your daily life and ability to earn a living. TAC road accident matters can be complicated, so having professional assistance is vital.
Here is how our motorcycle accident lawyers in Melbourne, Bendigo and other areas of Victoria can help you:
Throughout this process, we will provide you with personalised guidance. Lawyers at ADM know the kinds of difficulties you have to deal with. We see to it that you will be supported at all times, providing calm and steady advice at trying moments.
Arnold Dallas McPherson Injury Lawyers accept motorcycle accident claims and other personal injury matters on a No Win, No Fee basis. You don’t pay anything upfront, whether at the initial consultation or whilst the matter is pending. If your claim succeeds, you will be responsible for paying professional fees and disbursements.
Transparency is key in any relationship. You can expect an honest discussion of our fees at your initial consultation, including costs you are responsible for regardless of the outcome. Our motorbike accident solicitors provide an honest assessment of your claim and the likelihood of success so you can make an informed decision before hiring us.
Motorcyclists are amongst the most vulnerable road users. Severe injuries are extremely likely in a crash, and fatalities are all too common. Our motorcycle accident lawyers can help if you have been seriously hurt or a family member was harmed or killed.
Arnold Dallas McPherson Injury Lawyers offer an unparalleled client experience. Every member of our team listens to your story. This allows us to act in your best interest and pursue the most favourable outcome. We also provide reassurance and support at the most stressful times so you can feel heard.
Ours is a truly statewide firm with offices in over a dozen locations throughout Victoria. If you have been injured in a motorbike accident in Bendigo, Melbourne or another part of the state, call ADM for a FREE consultation at 1800 242 588 today.
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