Making A Difference

Motorcycle Law Scotland is a specialist niche legal practice that represents and looks after motorcyclists who have been injured in non-fault road traffic accidents in Scotland. The practice was set up and is spearheaded by Brenda Mitchell who has been handling personal injury cases for over 25 years.

Brenda obtained her full motorcycle licence in 1983 and her passion and focus on Motorcycle Accident Law arises from a desire to make a difference to motorcyclists, many of whom suffer serious injury through no fault of their own. There can be a perceived prejudice against motorcyclists, which must be overcome. Motorcyclists do concern themselves about all aspects of road safety and recognise their vulnerable status on the roads. If they are unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident they should at the very least get access to a legal service where the lawyer understands motorcycle dynamics and control and the service provided is a personal one. Motorcyclists don't want a claims pack and an anonymous call, they want to meet their lawyer and feel reassured that the lawyer knows what they are talking about. In essence, motorcycle accident victims should have personal specialist representation.

For a number of years now, insurance companies have been promoting legal expense insurance cover for their policyholders as part of their insurance. There is often a cost associated with Legal Expense Insurance although more recently many insurers are giving it away free. Insurance companies do make large sums of money from “nominated panel solicitors” who effectively buy the injury claim details. At source, your case is referred to a solicitor you haven’t instructed and who may or may not know anything about motorcycling. You might get a qualified lawyer, you might not. You might get a specialist who understands motorcycle law, you might not. It’s a lottery and one thing’s for sure, you don’t get choice. 

The starting point is you don’t need Legal Expense Cover. Good Lawyers in the field of Personal Injury speculate their fee on the success of a claim which means you don’t pay legal fees upfront and if your case is lost you walk away. Your Lawyer will fund your case and if successful can recover fees from the party at fault or their insurer. This is access to Justice with no financial risk. You don’t pay anything and you receive compensation for your injuries. If you lose, you walk away and have nothing to pay. The advantage is you have choice in the matter and can instruct someone you feel is best placed to act for you. 

Last year Motorcycle Law Scotland introduced a new product for motorcyclists called Legal Expense Protection. 

We have been encouraging motorcyclists to register for LEP and this seems to have been very well received by the motorcycle community across Scotland. It is free to register, gives you peace of mind and, most importantly, if you are ever involved in a non fault accident you will get access to:

• Specialist legal representation
• Replacement motorcycle helmet
• Replacement protective motorcycle clothing
• Medical expenses

You can pick up a Legal Expense Protection leaflet at most of the motorcycle dealers across Scotland or simply register online and we will send you out your LEP card.

– Rod Mitchell, Marketing Director, Motorcycle Law Scotland

Our New Colours

Hello folks! I'd like to start this post by wishing all our friends and followers a belated Happy New Year. As 2013 takes shape we're already looking to build on the momentum and the amazing support that we received from you at the Scots American War Memorial in Princes Street Gardens last October.

Please remember that you don't have to pay to join or become a member of WTTR. All we ask is that you show your support and ride with respect at events we organise or participate in. If you would like to purchase WTTR merchandise that we produce, then we will ensure that all profits raised will go to appropriate charities, organisations and individuals who have served or who provide support to British Forces veterans and their families – especially those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

We want to be completely transparent about the money WTTR raises so we have decided to create a running-total on the Donate page of the WTTR website. As the year progresses this will show you how much we've raised through direct and indirect donations. When the function is live we'll let you know.

For those of you who don't know me, now also seems an appropriate time to introduce myself. My name is Derek Green and I am the WTTR Media & Communications Officer. I was thrilled when co-founders Jim Thomson and Karen Holmes asked if I would like to take on this role, especially as my design consultancy - [gawr-juhs] - worked so closely with them on the WTTR branding and website.

Last Sunday I joined a few WTTR riders for an impromptu rideout. Over lunch I was asked about the logo I'd created. I explained that when I was given the brief the one word that jumped out at me was "inclusive." How do you represent a club with a strong connection to the armed forces without it looking too military? I recalled an article I'd seen about the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America's new look. Suddenly this became my inspiration, especially as both organisations seemed to share similar ideals.

Taking Jim's originally logo I broke it down into separate elements - the Scottish Saltire, the Royal Standard of Scotland, the Union Jack, armed forces, biking etc. These, and several others images, were then placed inside the typographic logo I'd developed to provide variety and inclusivity. Certainly from the feedback that we've already received it appears that we have an icon that is distinct and appeals to the majority. I couldn't have asked for anything more.

I'm certainly looking forward to meeting as many of you over next few months as possible. Karen and Jim have been busy at work behind the scenes and from the Events pages on the website you'll see that we now have a full itinerary of events in the lead-up to WTTR II in October. In addition we'll continue to update you via Facebook, Twitter and this blog on the things we think may appeal to you or have importance and relevance for WTTR members.

Once again may I wish you a prosporous 2013. Bike safely and see you at a WTTR event very soon.

- Derek Green, WTTR Media & Communications