For a motorcycle rider, a collision involving a larger vehicle is one of the worst possible scenarios. What if, however, another driver caused a motorcycle rider to crash without physical contact? It might sound preposterous at first, but it can happen to any rider at any time.
When it does happen, motorcyclists can be horribly injured – but are they the ones to blame? Depending on the other driver’s behavior before the accident, that driver may actually be liable for a no-contact motorcycle accident.
What Is a No-Contact Motorcycle Accident?
A no-contact motorcycle accident occurs when a driver’s negligence causes a motorcycle rider to crash without their vehicles coming into contact. Although vehicle-on-vehicle collisions are more common in motorcycle accident injury lawsuits, it’s possible to hold another driver responsible for their actions even if their vehicle didn’t strike your motorcycle.
Most people might assume that motorcycle riders are responsible for controlling their vehicles regardless of what another driver does. This, however, simply isn’t the case. Although it can be a more difficult claim to prove, and you may share some fault for an accident, you can successfully recover damages if another driver caused you to crash.
What Causes a No-Contact Motorcycle Crash?
Another driver’s negligence is the root cause of all no-contact motorcycle crashes, but what does that look like? There are various potential causes to consider.
One example is when a driver abruptly changes lanes without looking or using turn signals. The motorcycle rider swerves to avoid the collision, but this causes them to lose control of their motorcycle and crash. Because drivers must follow the rules of the road, and those rules require everyone to use turn signals when changing lanes, then the driver in this example can be held responsible for causing the rider to crash.
Another example is distracted driving. When a driver isn’t putting all of their attention on the road, they simply aren’t aware of what’s going on around them. This can cause erratic driving behaviors that motorcycle riders must avoid to prevent a collision, and a rider’s evasive maneuvers can cause them to crash without colliding with the driver’s vehicle.
Call an Attorney After Your No-Contact Motorcycle Accident
Most motorcycle riders are unaware that they can hold other parties liable for causing an accident even when their vehicles didn’t collide. An attorney experienced in motorcycle accident personal injury claims can help you pursue compensation for damages, including your medical bills, lost wages, and property loss.
Learn more about how our advocates at Smolich and Smolich can help by contacting us today. We offer each client a free initial consultation to evaluate their claim. If we think we can help you recover compensation for your damages, we’ll let you know how you can take the next step.
For more information and to get started, reach out to Smolich and Smolich online now.