Can Motorcyclists Sue After A No-Contact Accident?

One common way in which motorcycle riders are injured is through no-contact accidents. These accidents occur when a motorcycle rider tries to maneuver or must react quickly and crashes, though he or she never actually makes contact with the other driver. In cases like these, can a motorcycle rider sue another driver for the accident?

It may be possible. Read on to learn more.

What If the Driver Was Negligent?

In order to successfully sue a driver you had no contact with on your motorcycle, you must prove that the driver acted negligently. This means the other driver was not reasonable in the way they reacted. They failed to take action when they should have, for example. For instance, the driver may have merged right in front of you because they did not see you, prompting you to ride off the road because you had to swerve. Your bike is now wrecked, but the other driver was able to walk away from the accident without harm.

In order to ensure you are not responsible for the accident, you must demonstrate that you were obeying the rules of the road and acting in accordance with the law. You were aware of the events happening around you and you knew to look for potential obstacles in your way.

What Else Causes No-Contact Accidents?

Many other factors can lead to no-contact accidents when you are on your motorcycle. They include other drivers driving too closely to you on your bike. Other drivers may also violate traffic laws, which means they may fail to yield to other drivers or may speed. They may also be distracted by a phone, radio, food, or passenger.

What Should You Do?

If you were involved in a motorcycle accident that did not involve contact with another vehicle, you need to gather information. Often, the other vehicle involved does not stop because they don't know about the accident or feel they were not involved. If you have dash cam footage, you may be in good shape. You can capture the license plate or try to remember the vehicle's description.  Otherwise, locating a driver can be very difficult, and you may be left without compensation for a long time.

What Should You Do?

Your next step is to speak with a personal injury attorney about your case. You may have a strong case against another party who caused your accident--even if your vehicles never touched.

Share