Speed

Car drivers almost always allege speeding against a motorcyclist when an accident happens. The argument usually goes, "(S)he must have been speeding because I did not see them". You then have the "helpful" witness who assumes the motorcycle was speeding because it had a loud exhaust.

It is impossible to estimate speed at a glance and most of us would be in difficulties giving an accurate estimate from watching a vehicle. That is why the police have laser and radar speed detection devices.

Recently insurers have been spending a lot of money on reports assessing the impact speed based upon the amount of damage to the vehicles. This is very imprecise, particularly as a motorcycle will usually keep on moving and hitting other objects.

For speed to be relevant it must have made a material difference to the accident circumstances. Put simply, if someone pulls out 3 feet in front of you then you are having an accident. If they are 30 feet ahead then speed may be relevant.

Speed also has to be taken in context. If you are on a bend you may not be able to brake and if you do you are likely to sit up and go onto the wrong side of the road. The next thing you know is you are being accused of going round the corner on the wrong side of the road.

Non-specialists and lawyers who do not ride motorcycles are unlikely to understand the mechanics of what happens. They are even less likely to understand how you think in those situations. The best advice is to get someone who knows what they are doing.