Ask the lawyer
Gavin Grewal, used to volunteer his time as a special constable which gave him a good insight into how evidence is gathered from accident scenes. Gavin is partner at specialist motorcycle solicitors White Dalton.
Motorcycle accident on camera
10 Dec 2020
I was involved in a fairly minor off when a driver failed to give way. Speed has been alleged against me. I have an action camera which shows I was not speeding.
Bike blocked in by neighbour’s car
26 Nov 2020
I park my bike in my back garden, to which I get access through what I call a ‘snicket’; a shared passage between two terraced houses which I have shared for years with my elderly widowed neighbour.
Will my son lose his licence?
15 Oct 2020
My son, who has not long gained his A2 licence, was pulled over for speeding by the police, at 38mph in a 30mph zone.
Can I claim for increased premiums?
06 Aug 2020
I have been involved in two no—fault collisions, both rear-enders and there was absolutely nothing I could do about either of them.
I did a runner from scooter scrotes
09 Jul 2020
Perhaps luckily for me, experience from two tours of Afghanistan helped me notice a youth with a hoodie pulled up over his face and wearing gloves, pressing a pedestrian-controlled light in London.
Oil dumped by plugless sump made me look like a chump
30 Apr 2020
I know nothing at all about maintaining my bike. I have never adjusted the chain, checked the oil or even the tyre pressures.
Cover for riding the ring
05 Mar 2020
I have checked my insurance policy and it specifically excludes “toll roads with no speed limits” and in addition, mentions the Nürburgring.
She’s trying to get off by saying I shouldn’t have been riding
27 Feb 2020
I was riding my uncle’s motorcycle on a warm summer’s day. He was working away from home and told me I could borrow it.
Can my ex stop me seeing my daughter if I take her on my bike?
16 Jan 2020
Some years ago, I went through a very unpleasant divorce and my ex-wife has always been difficult about me having contact with our daughter.
Should I have been wearing ‘specialist’ trousers?
19 Dec 2019
I decided to take the scenic route to pick up a takeaway curry for myself and my husband – top boxes are very useful.
Should I pay to get proof of no-claims discount?
28 Nov 2019
I have insured my bike through a well-known insurance company for the last four years and am now changing insurer.
Have I been caught speeding?
08 Aug 2019
I took my bike out for a cold but spirited ride at the weekend. However, I passed a liveried-up ‘Safety Camera Partnership’ van probably a bit quicker than I should have. I didn’t see a camera flash or anything. Have I been caught, do you think? I am even more confused by these new ‘smart […]
Does wearing shades make me negligent?
30 May 2019
I was involved in a straightforward accident, I was riding along a busy urban road and, as I crossed through a green light, a car in the opposite lane travelling in the opposite direction turned right, straight across my path.
Should my insurer pay out?
02 May 2019
My motorcycle was stolen recently. It is valued at around £7000 but I gave the registration incorrectly to the insurers.
Should he accept a reduction?
07 Mar 2019
My son was involved in a relatively low-speed accident on his scooter. I am a biker so I had bought him all the proper kit.
Can I claim if I slid on a muddy road?
05 Mar 2019
I was riding my bike on what I thought was a pleasant, dry day, and as I approached a building site for a development of houses, my bike slid out from underneath me on what I now realise was a slick of slimy mud.
Brexit and foreign speeding tickets
31 Jan 2019
I have just come back from a ten-day riding break in Spain, which I can highly recommend – Malaga has some fantastic roads. But I have come home to a nasty souvenir, a €50 fine for speeding.
Should I appeal a parking fine?
06 Dec 2018
I had to take my motorbike into Westminster and after shackling my motorbike down with every lock I own. I went to pay the motorbike parking fee.
