Motorcyclists need to take certain steps to avoid serious collisions. Unfortunately, motorcyclists are more vulnerable than other drivers on the roadway because they do not have any metal frames, airbags, or seatbelts. However, not all motorcycle accidents involve direct contact with another vehicle or object. Here, we want to discuss what no-contact motorcycle accidents are and how you, as a motorcyclist, can take steps to avoid them.
No-contact motorcycle accidents are exactly what they sound like – they are incidents that cause a motorcyclist to crash without actually running into another vehicle or object. On the surface, it may seem like this would always be the motorcyclist’s fault, but that is not necessarily the case. There does not have to be a direct collision with another vehicle in order for another driver to be at fault for an accident.
No-contact motorcycle accidents can occur in a variety of ways in California. In fact, motorcyclists face a higher risk of being involved in these types of accidents due to the very nature of riding a motorcycle in the first place. The shape, size, and weight of a motorcycle means that the rider must maintain a certain speed and operate the vehicle in a certain way to make sure they are balanced and that both wheels remain on the ground.
If the actions of other drivers on the roadway lead to a motorcyclist becoming unable to stay upright and maintain forward momentum, this can cause a no-contact motorcycle accident. Even if a motorcyclist thinks that another driver is going to strike them, this can lead to a dangerous collision.
Some of the most common ways in which no-contact motorcycle accidents occur include other drivers:
No-contact motorcycle accidents do not necessarily have to only involve other vehicles. These incidents can occur due to the actions of bicyclists or pedestrians as well, especially if they ride or walk out in front of a motorcyclist. Additionally, roadways that have not been properly maintained or contain obstacles can lead to a motorcyclist having to take evasive actions to avoid an accident.
If you or a loved one have sustained an injury as a result of a no-contact motorcycle accident caused by another driver on the roadway, you need to reach out to an attorney immediately. A motorcycle accident lawyer in Irvine, CA can examine the facts of your case and work to gather the evidence needed to prove liability. Ultimately, a motorcyclist should be able to recover compensation for their medical bills, property damage expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering damages if their crash was caused by the negligence of another driver. Unfortunately, motorcyclists often face significant unwarranted negative biases from others involved in these incidents, including the insurance carriers. An attorney will push back against these biases and work diligently to prove what happened to recover the compensation their client needs.