Filing a Personal Injury Claim in a No Contact Motorcycle Accident

Thousands of motorcycle deaths occur each year in the United States. These accidents typically involve catastrophic injuries including traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. These severe injuries can lead to paralysis or death. There is also a lesser-known classification of motorcycle accidents that can also cause serious injuries: no-contact accidents. To be sure, no-contact motorcycle accidents can leave riders permanently injured, paralyzed, or dead.

No-Contact Motorcycle Accidents

A no-contact motorcycle accident is when a driver of a vehicle causes the rider of a motorcycle to somehow wreck or crash their motorcycle, without actually causing a physical collision between the two parties. These accidents are common, and the driver of the vehicle can be held liable for any of the motorcyclist’s injuries and property damage.

Common Scenarios

Oftentimes drivers simply do not notice motorcycles on the roadways. This lack of attention to motorcycle riders creates negligent driving that causes a no-contact motorcycle crash. If a driver is inattentive to their surroundings and changes lanes or turns left without looking for a motorcycle rider, the rider may see the dangerous and hazardous scenario unfold in front of him/her. Instead of crashing into the vehicle, a motorcyclist will either swerve and lose control to attempt to avoid the crash or intentionally lay down their motorcycle to try to avoid the collision. Either way, the rider, and his motorcycle are likely severely injured and damaged.

The most common scenarios that result in a no-contact motorcycle accident include:

Violation of traffic laws by the vehicle (failing to yield, running a red light, crossing the median, etc.)
Distracted driving
Inattentive to surroundings
Unsafe lane change
Driving recklessly
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Challenges in No-Contact Motorcycle Accidents

The majority of the time, drivers of vehicles simply do not know that they have caused an accident. They will leave the scene of the accident, simply because they have no idea that one just occurred. Witnesses are extremely important in these cases to testify of the exact accident that occurred regarding the driver and motorcycle rider.

Establishing Your Claim

You may not be able to determine who the driver is if you do not have a license plate number, and the driver did not stop after the accident. However, if you have been involved in a no-contact motorcycle accident make sure to do the following:

Take pictures of the accident scene, the road, and any vehicle involved
If possible, write down the driver’s license number, license plate, and insurance information
Obtain witnesses names and telephone numbers
Contact the police and specifically request that a police report is written

Contact an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney

If you have been injured in a no-contact motorcycle accident, you may have the right to receive compensation for your injuries. These types of cases are extremely complex, and our attorneys can help you understand your rights and build your case. Contact an experienced Columbia personal injury attorney at The Stanley Law Group at 803-799-4700 and set up a consultation today.

Resource:

crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812035

https://www.thestanleylawgroup.com/5-mistakes-people-make-after-a-motorcycle-accident/