A motorcyclist who suffered significant injuries after he was struck by a vehicle has detailed the impact of the crash and is urging drivers to be aware of their surroundings.
Chris Searle was travelling north on the Bruce Highway between Brisbane and Burpengary in March, and was legally lane filtering, when he was hit by a motorist travelling in the same direction.
He suffered permanent nerve damage and is re-learning to walk.
His everyday health complications, including having to self-catheterise, means he is unable to return to his mining job.
Mr Searle said he missed the active lifestyle he enjoyed before the accident.
“I miss working, riding, wakeboarding and rugby league,” he said.
“I was an active person pre-accident and now post-accident I’m unable to do the things I love.”
Mr Searle had a message for motorists: to be aware of motorcyclists on the road.
“Check your mirrors and be aware of what’s going on around you while driving,” he said.
“My hope is for further education to motorists on the road rules for motorcyclists, and that this will bring about greater attention and caution.”
Sunshine Coast-based compensation law firm Travis Schultz and Partners echoed the reminder to motorists, pointing to the latest data from the Department of Transport and Main Roads, which revealed that 64 motorcyclists have died in the state this year. That’s 10 more deaths than last year and marks 2023 as the deadliest year for motorbike riders.
While motorcycles represent a minority of vehicles on Queensland roads, they account for a disproportionate 28 per cent of all road fatalities, and there has been 48 per cent more deaths this year compared to the five-year average.
And more people are opting to take to the roads on motorcycles. According to TMR, the number of registered motorbikes in Queensland has increased 8.8 per cent in two years.
TSP special counsel Emma Davidson said the fatality rates were confronting, and did not include injured motorcyclists.
“In 2022 alone, 934 riders were hospitalised because of Queensland road crashes,” she said. “The reported rates are cause for concern and do not include those who may instead attend their general practitioner after an accident.
“In my role as a personal injury lawyer in Queensland, I have been speaking to an increasing number of motorbike riders who have found themselves seriously injured because of events occurring on Queensland roads.
“All road users have a role to play in keeping each other safe as the consequences of not taking that second look or having a momentary lapse in judgement can, quite simply, be catastrophic.”
She pointed to Motor Accident Insurance Commission data that indicated 52 per cent of accidents occurred when vehicles were travelling in the same direction.
“Many motorists may not be aware that lane filtering in Queensland is legal for motorcycle riders in certain situations,” she said.
“Riders with an open licence are allowed to move between stationary or slow-moving vehicles travelling in the same direction as the rider, provided they do not exceed 30km/h and conditions are safe to do so.
“Motorcyclists are also allowed to ride on the shoulder or in emergency stopping lanes, at a safe speed and up to 30km/h, if traffic has stopped or slowed on a motorway and has a speed limit over 90 km/h. To ensure pedestrian safety, lane filtering is only allowed between stationary or slow-moving vehicles, not between vehicle and a kerb.
“The increased risk of serious injury or death for a motorcyclist means it is essential for road users to be alert and aware of their surroundings while on the road.
“For motorcyclists who are injured in an accident, they may have an entitlement to claim compensation against the at-fault driver, or their third-party insurer, for loss sustained due to injury.
“They may also have a claim with WorkCover if on a journey to or from work.
“In addition to this, severely injured motorcyclists may also be able to access benefits under the National Injury Insurance Scheme, the National Disability Insurance Scheme, or under their superannuation policy, such as income protection or total and permanent disability benefits.
“Having access to such benefits can help ease financial pressure if you are unable to work or require significant medical intervention due to the injuries.”
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