{"id":167338,"date":"2026-01-03T13:03:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-03T12:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.motorcycles.news\/?p=167338"},"modified":"2026-01-30T20:56:45","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T19:56:45","slug":"pothole-compensation-motorcyclists-uk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.motorcycles.news\/en\/pothole-compensation-motorcyclists-uk\/","title":{"rendered":"Pothole damage is skyrocketing: Why dilapidated roads are a threat to motorcyclists&#8217; lives"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Compensation claims for potholes have risen by 91 percent since 2021.<\/li>\n<li>Only 26 percent of claims led to payouts in 2024.<\/li>\n<li>For motorcyclists, potholes mean a significantly higher risk of injury.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The poor condition of many roads has been a topic of discussion for years.\u00a0 New figures now show how much the problem has worsened.\u00a0 However, the statistics reveal not only damaged vehicles, but also serious accidents with long-term consequences, especially for motorcyclists.<\/p>\n<h2>Significantly more compensation claims due to road damage<\/h2>\n<p>An evaluation by the RAC automobile club based on requests under the Freedom of Information Act shows a significant increase in pothole compensation claims. A total of 53,015 claims were received from 177 responding municipalities in 2024. In 2021, the figure was 27,731. This represents an increase of 91 percent within three years.<\/p>\n<p>The increase was particularly strong in Derbyshire, where the number of claims rose from 224 to 3,307. Glasgow also saw more than a doubling of claims to 2,794.\u00a0 Oxfordshire followed with an increase from 488 to 1,941 claims.<\/p>\n<p>Despite this development, the total number fell slightly compared to 2023, when 56,655 claims were counted.\u00a0 However, the decline of around six percent does little to change the fundamental scale of the problem.<\/p>\n<h2>Only a fraction of claims are accepted<\/h2>\n<p>Of the more than 53,000 claims submitted in 2024, only 26 percent resulted in a payout.\u00a0 A total of 13,832 cases were settled.\u00a0 Local authorities paid out around 3.56 million euros (\u20ac) or approximately 3.87 million US dollars ($) for these claims.<\/p>\n<p>The average compensation was around 449 euros (\u20ac) or approximately 488 US dollars ($) per case.\u00a0 This contrasts with average repair costs of around 679 euros (\u20ac) or 739 US dollars ($) for damage beyond a simple flat tire.<\/p>\n<p>Some municipalities rejected almost all claims.\u00a0 In Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Medway, Carmarthenshire, and Telford, around 99 percent of claims were rejected.\u00a0 Bridgend was an exception, paying out all 52 claims received.<\/p>\n<h2>Motorcyclists are at particularly high risk<\/h2>\n<p>While car drivers are usually confronted with damaged tires or chassis components, potholes pose an acute safety risk for motorcyclists.\u00a0 Even a single defect in the road surface can lead to loss of control.\u00a0 Without crumple zones or protective bodywork, the consequences of a fall are often much more serious.<\/p>\n<p>This is also demonstrated by the fate of Richard Cheshire.\u00a0 At the age of 19, he was paralyzed from the neck down after an accident caused by a pothole.\u00a0 The accident occurred in October 2010 on a country road near Mansfield.\u00a0 After crashing into a fence, he suffered severe spinal cord injuries and spent six months in hospital.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cIt has been 15 years, and the roads are a massive embarrassment. Nothing has changed.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Richard is now permanently confined to a wheelchair.\u00a0 His own compensation claim was unsuccessful.<\/p>\n<p>Although the road in question was later repaired and the speed limit reduced, no legal responsibility was established.\u00a0 Although the road in question was later repaired and the speed limit reduced, no legal responsibility was established.<\/p>\n<h2>Lifelong consequences instead of one-time repair costs<\/h2>\n<p>Today, Richard Cheshire works in specialized clinics and is involved as a wheelchair trainer for the <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.motorcycles.news\/en\/category\/charity-en\/\" target=\"_blank\"  rel=\"noopener\" title=\"charity\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\"  data-wpil-monitor-id=\"9494\">charity<\/a> Whizz Kidz.\u00a0 He points out that the long-term costs of serious accidents are significantly higher than regular road maintenance.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cThe NHS is paying throughout my life.\u00a0 I&#8217;ve adapted, but I&#8217;m aging differently.\u00a0 It takes a toll on your body and your mind.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>These costs do not appear in any damage statistics, especially for motorcyclists.\u00a0 An accident can mean the loss of mobility, a job, and independence.<\/p>\n<h2>Investments announced, but skepticism remains<\/h2>\n<p>The British government has announced investments of around 8.5 billion euros, or approximately 9.3 billion US dollars ($), over four years to repair roads and eliminate potholes.\u00a0 This is intended to give local authorities planning security and enable them to implement more preventive measures.<\/p>\n<p>The RAC sees this as a step in the right direction, but warns that improvements are only likely to be noticeable in the medium term.\u00a0 Until then, the risk remains high, especially for motorcyclists.<\/p>\n<p>The increasing number of claims shows how great the need for action is.\u00a0 For many two-wheelers, it is not a question of damaged rims or tires, but of their own physical integrity.<\/p>\n<p><!-- notionvc: 7ae473a4-db32-4ea7-9f5a-152d46d26ca1 --><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"g g-1\"><div class=\"g-single a-50\"><div class=\"atkp-container atkp-bestseller-box  atkp-template-bestseller\">\n                        <div class=\"atkp-box atkp-clearfix \"\n                 style=\"\">\n                <div class=\"atkp-predicateheadline atkp-predicate-highlight\">\n                    <span><\/span><\/div>\n                <div class=\"atkp-ribbon\"><span>#1<\/span><\/div>\n                <div class=\"atkp-thumb\">\n                                            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"atkp-image\" src=\"https:\/\/gzhls.at\/pix\/5c\/f9\/5cf97c673bd3bebe-n.webp\" alt=\"Helite Vented 2.0 (verschiedene Farben\/Gr&ouml;&szlig;en) (MO.TX.VTD)\" title=\"\">\n                                                                    <div class=\"atkp-rating\"><span class=\"atkp-star atkp-star-0 atkp-star-00\" title=\"0.00 of 5 stars\"><\/span><\/div>\n                                                                                    <div class=\"atkp-reviews\">Show customer reviews<\/div>\n                                                                                                                    <div class=\"atkp-shoplogo\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/\" alt=\"CS BikeWear\" style=\"max-height:50px;max-width:140px\" title=\"\"><\/div>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"atkp-content\">\n                                            <a class=\"atkp-title\" href=\"https:\/\/geizhals.de\/redir\/AwAAAEzOok31weIes9KG4vieTTJPomB95KTepmGbgeK2uDbPn2KDDL-YBFMQD6RxbB2RjyvWKW4VvwaeoSh5jjPd0lFuE6vJDKh46YQDmtn-NHhajIyXWpej_ABKsVRAwxdNeDJsJvR5d079GTXmhcxWwDKkW3GFXLD5RzTdj73aPUh578q9E5VfikWCKdFLhwgXZ1QUVa3uiWDYFP0rns6JMneUGlMXTMLMrmMkYxqymWlj_Qdclz0psPum7E3ULbXifvJakV7TTnBvcr5S9tSC_EZWsCKo0N0uUFLcrvtFXglWwFRpnQ1U8EGzEECdQqldNz5YyxwsvAwMSydQrW0aPLdlHNjx8TCByegzidTDVrr3UrZwvAUrNW_1QgZZe4gWJQ\" rel=\"nofollow sponsored noopener\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Jetzt kaufen bei CS BikeWear\">Helite Vented 2.0 (verschiedene Farben\/Gr&ouml;&szlig;en) (MO.TX.VTD)*<\/a>\n                                        <div class=\"atkp-author\">by Helite<\/div>\n\n                    <div class=\"atkp-description\"><ul>HELITE MO.TX.VTD-BKBG-SHelite Airbag Jacke Vented 2.0 Sommerjacke mit Turtle Airbag<\/ul>\n\n                                                    <div class=\"atkp-procontra\">\n                                                                                            <\/div>\n                                            <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"atkp-bottom\">\n                                            <span class=\"atkp-price atkp-listprice\"><\/span>\n                                                                <span class=\"atkp-price atkp-savedamount\"><\/span>\n                                                                <span class=\"atkp-price atkp-saleprice\">\n                            &nbsp;Price: &euro; 585.65\n                                                            <span class=\"atkp_price atkp-baseprice\"><\/span>\n                                                    <\/span>\n                    \n\n\n                                            <a href=\"https:\/\/geizhals.de\/redir\/AwAAAEzOok31weIes9KG4vieTTJPomB95KTepmGbgeK2uDbPn2KDDL-YBFMQD6RxbB2RjyvWKW4VvwaeoSh5jjPd0lFuE6vJDKh46YQDmtn-NHhajIyXWpej_ABKsVRAwxdNeDJsJvR5d079GTXmhcxWwDKkW3GFXLD5RzTdj73aPUh578q9E5VfikWCKdFLhwgXZ1QUVa3uiWDYFP0rns6JMneUGlMXTMLMrmMkYxqymWlj_Qdclz0psPum7E3ULbXifvJakV7TTnBvcr5S9tSC_EZWsCKo0N0uUFLcrvtFXglWwFRpnQ1U8EGzEECdQqldNz5YyxwsvAwMSydQrW0aPLdlHNjx8TCByegzidTDVrr3UrZwvAUrNW_1QgZZe4gWJQ\" rel=\"nofollow sponsored noopener\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Jetzt kaufen bei CS BikeWear\" class=\"atkp-button\">Jetzt kaufen bei CS BikeWear!*<\/a>\n                                                                <div class=\"atkp-moreoffers-box  atkp-template-bestseller\">\n  \n \n\t\n\n  <div class=\"atkp-moreoffersinfo\">\n <div class=\"atkp-offers-dropdown\">\n <a class=\"atkp-offers-dropbtn\" style=\"font-size:12px\">Weitere Angebote &raquo;<\/a>\n <div class=\"atkp-offers-dropdown-content\">\n  <div class=\"atkp-container atkp-clearfix\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/geizhals.de\/redir\/AwAAAEzOok31weIes9KG4vieTTJPomB95KTepmGbgeK2uDbPn2KDDL-YBFMQD6RxbB2RjyvWKW4VvwaeoSh5jjPd0lFuE6vJDKh46YQDmtn-NHhajIyXWpej_ABKsVRAwxdNeDJsJvR5d079GTXmhcxWwDKkW3GFXLD5RzTdj73aPUh578q9E5VfikWCKdFLhwgXZ1QUVa3uiWDYFP0rns6JMneUGlMXTMLMrmMkYxqymWlj_Qdclz0psPum7E3ULbXifvJakV7TTnBvcr5S9tSC_EZWsCKo0N0uUFLcrvtFXglWwFRpnQ1U8EGzEECdQqldNz5YyxwsvAwMSydQrW0aPLdlHNjx8TCByegzidTDVrr3UrZwvAUrNW_1QgZZe4gWJQ\" rel=\"nofollow sponsored noopener\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Jetzt kaufen bei CS BikeWear\">\n <span class=\"atkp-more-offers-left\" style=\"width: 25%;\">\n <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/\" alt=\"CS BikeWear\" title=\"\">\n <\/span>\n <span class=\"atkp-more-offers-right\" style=\"width: 65%;\">\n <span class=\"atkp-more-offers-price\">Price: &euro; 585.65<\/span><br\/>\n <span class=\"atkp-more-offers-shipping atkp-clearfix\">Shipping: N\/A<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n  <div class=\"atkp-container atkp-clearfix\">\n <a href=\"https:\/\/geizhals.de\/redir\/AwAAALByJU3V4VA47IVT_9yjNJ_QQ77UQ-MaziCmsF_8SLlmFG-pgNxLRheIFsZBeUhTHzQd5NmAAC0p4BQjqlMOJWccJu8gVn54o15y3jJYO3l0jNUdbmUK7X6Y78C9eiBJ2r0mc603AAHuHnAA5P-FyXtvksd0MNvC4IlpImijFvWju6Y61YSm5oWyFunlHP2D94ca6BRbQf6r4kIDv-O3Jzs5H4Gzli81zNBdHRmvRMw3R80v9-ZRzZMgCyYdWlftz0SKVacAB95N8jPL1L97yBisFTrB_zeAwztUhrTSMGJA6cFsCZx01q9qOMasOO7O1vnzKDXULlGhQGK4Smv5d8RoNFtOqsLJBUqoBrvLJmkaNvoJsFzgMZ8kTlTFtDdkFD1wTR03jU0SRpj06XjyfYVmgGey45dM0uq_nSIr3hCMQrAHaiZI6SYVp2NB0A-ympEqBezo8IAWsbBQ8hFpRBg7iE11_61b9RvwsUdnbUDMGPgIdSeb1QKqIqoR7OrBWA\" rel=\"nofollow sponsored noopener\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Jetzt kaufen bei FC-Moto\">\n <span class=\"atkp-more-offers-left\" style=\"width: 25%;\">\n <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gzhls.at\/b\/logos\/103570.png\" alt=\"FC-Moto\" title=\"\">\n <\/span>\n <span class=\"atkp-more-offers-right\" style=\"width: 65%;\">\n <span class=\"atkp-more-offers-price\">Price: &euro; 620.10<\/span><br\/>\n <span class=\"atkp-more-offers-shipping atkp-clearfix\">Shipping: N\/A<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>                    \n                                            <span class=\"atkp-priceinfo\">Preis inkl. MwSt., zzgl. Versandkosten<\/span>\n                                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                            <span class=\"atkp-disclaimer\">Zuletzt aktualisiert am 5 April, 2026 um 08:40 . Wir weisen darauf hin, dass sich hier angezeigte Preise inzwischen ge\u00e4ndert haben k\u00f6nnen. Alle Angaben ohne Gew\u00e4hr.<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The number of compensation claims for pothole damage has risen sharply in the UK.   While car drivers are usually faced with repair costs, the consequences for motorcyclists can be life-changing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":167339,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"iawp_total_views":17,"footnotes":""},"categories":[41,711],"tags":[395,714],"class_list":["post-167338","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-from-the-street","category-news-en","tag-of-the-road","tag-news-en"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.motorcycles.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/167338","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.motorcycles.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.motorcycles.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorcycles.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorcycles.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=167338"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorcycles.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/167338\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorcycles.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/167339"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.motorcycles.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=167338"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorcycles.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=167338"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorcycles.news\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=167338"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}