The MCM legal column is compiled by managing partner Andrew ‘Chef’ Prendergast and his bike-riding barristers and solicitors at White Dalton Motorcycle Solicitors.
The firm deals with personal injury claims and its sister company, Motor Defence Solicitors, deals with all the motoring offences.
White Dalton lawyers have a vast knowledge of bike law, and they have full bike licences, too. They don’t act for insurance companies or the prosecution.
White Dalton is Britain’s premier specialist motorcycle law practice, and if its professionals don’t know the answer to your question, there probably isn’t one. Don’t rely on the advice from your insurance appointed solicitor, get proper independent advice.
Unsecure load?
17 Aug 2017
I have owned a Royal Enfield Bullet 500 with Watsonian Manx Sidecar for a number of years and never had any issues… until last week.
Is side saddle really illegal?
10 Aug 2017
I recently passed my test and have a Honda Superdream 250. I was on my way home when I saw my mate had broken down on her moped after running out of petrol.
Loss of amenity
03 Aug 2017
A young lad (who I’m pretty sure was on drugs) hit me off my MT-09 after he pulled out of a petrol station straight in front of me.
Motorway Filtering
06 Jul 2017
I was riding on a motorway and filtered between lanes two and three on the motorway.
Crazy Fazer
11 May 2017
While riding my Fazer a woman pulled out from a minor road to my left directly in front of me without looking.
Dealer tyre trouble
04 May 2017
I have had my old GS1200 for the last five years and have covered about 60,000 miles with no problems… until last month.
Viva España, by bike
06 Apr 2017
Andrew Prendergast decided to swap the cold and grime of a British winter for the less cold and welcoming sun of Spain. And he took his dad. Here’s one man’s story of a stolen few days of summer-y fun on two wheels.
Is it my fault as I had headphones on?
09 Mar 2017
I live on the outskirts of Manchester. As I had a meeting in the city centre I decided to take my moped. Approximately 30 minutes later I was flat on my back in an ambulance on the way to A&E.
Sail Away
19 Jan 2017
I work for a pizza delivery company. ‘Management’ decided it would be a good idea to get a trailer made for one of the scooters; the trailer then had big sign stuck on it. I personally thought it was a cheesy idea (apologises for the bad joke).
Dipstick speeder
29 Dec 2016
Me and my mate both got stopped by the police for speeding at 40mph in a 30mph. As soon as I got off I apologised to the female officer and basically put my hands up.
Hire Bike Charges
22 Dec 2016
I have a Hornet 600 worth about a grand. I got spanked off by some young kid in a Corsa. While I have fully comprehensive cover, my insurer told me not to claim off my insurance and get the money from the kid’s instead.
Tinted visor at night?
24 Nov 2016
When I left home the sun was shining so I duly put on my lid with my black tinted visor (race-use only). However, I got held up and by the time I was wandering home the sun had long disappeared. I was two turns from home when someone stumbled out of the local pub and […]
Fiesta Collider
17 Nov 2016
I went out for a blast to the coast on my TZR250 ‘smoker’. I joined a dual carriageway and was cruising about 65-70mph. I spotted an old Fiesta up ahead doing about 60mph. However, due to the traffic in the outer lane I couldn’t overtake it and the next thing the Fiesta in front just […]
Faster than a Blackbird
10 Nov 2016
I have been an utter idiot. I was late picking my girlfriend from work so I nailed my old Blackbird down the bypass. Long story short, I got clocked doing 148mph by the Police in a lay-by using a laser device.
Expert Evidence
03 Nov 2016
I picked up a new Adventure motorbike from my local dealer last week. I was chuffed to bits as it was the first new motorbike I have ever bought.
Speeding through Brexit
29 Sep 2016
I’m off to Spain in a month with my ‘GSX-R crew’ to go and rag around the mountains and then head to Valencia for a few cheeky beers. We have been every year for the last five years and I have been stopped once before by the old bill for speeding and I had to […]
Bike fell off a recovery truck
01 Sep 2016
My classic (read that as unreliable) RD350 broke down. The breakdown company turned up with a flat bed truck. Long story short is the numpty recovery truck driver didn’t strap the bike down properly and as we pulled away my bike fell over. It was like something off a Carry On film.
Feeling a bit sheepish
25 Aug 2016
I feel a bit ‘sheepish’ writing to you but I read your column a month or so ago about the farmer’s escaped pig and wondered If I have a claim.
