A motorcycle was approaching a blind bend on a narrow country lane; horse riders approaching from the other direction. An accident happened; one of the riders was left with serious brain damage. A personal injury claim was made through against the third party motorcyclist via their insurance company; one of the issues at stake was the noise of the motorcycle and the effect of the noise on the horses and in particular the horse being ridden by the Claimant. Shaun Murkett Acoustic Consultants ltd were instructed by the Claimant Solicitor to act as an Expert Witness and to carry out a full investigation into all the noise issues and to issue a comprehensive expert witness noise report in order to assist the Court.

 

As an experienced motorcycle and horse rider myself, I was able to understand all the issues. A site investigation visit was made, noise from typical motorcycles accurately measured, and calculations and analysis conducted and our professional expert noise report was produced.

 

There was an expert on the other side; we were then asked by the Court to produce a joint experts report, with the points we agreed on and those disagreed, and this joint expert report given to the courts. The case was decided in favour of the Claimant in terms of liability with damages agreed between the parties before a final hearing in respect of quantum. The value of the claim was placed at in excess of one million pounds.