While many motorcycle accidents happen when a bike collides with another vehicle or object, some happen without any contact at all. You might assume that the fault for a no-contact collision would automatically fall upon the rider, but that’s not always the case.
WHAT IS A NO-CONTACT MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT?
A motorcyclist might crash even if they were not hit by another vehicle or object. For example, a crash could happen if the motorcyclist is forced to swerve suddenly to avoid a collision with a car that suddenly moves into its lane without warning.
If someone else’s carelessness or inattention causes a motorcyclist to become unstable and crash, that person could be responsible for the accident.
HOW DO NO-CONTACT MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS OCCUR?
Driver negligence is often a contributing factor in no-contact motorcycle crashes. Some of the most common causes of no-contact motorcycle crashes involving other motorists include:
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Failure to obey traffic laws
- Failure to check blind spots
- Unsafe lane changes
- Distracted driving
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast in hazardous conditions
While careless motorists frequently cause no-contact motorcycle accidents, pedestrians and cyclists could also cause them. For instance, if a pedestrian darts in front of an approaching motorcyclist, the motorcyclist might swerve and crash to avoid hitting them. In that case, the pedestrian could be liable for the accident.
HOW DOES INSURANCE HANDLE NO-CONTACT ACCIDENTS IN CALIFORNIA?
Insurance adjusters are incentivized to protect the company’s bottom line. If they can find any reason to deny or diminish your accident claim, they will likely do so. If you were injured in a no-contact motorcycle accident and you file an insurance claim with the at-fault party’s provider, their insurance company might try to shift the blame onto you to avoid paying for your injuries and losses.
If the other party’s insurer does offer money for your claim, they might make you a lowball settlement offer that could seem adequate at first but ultimately won’t cover all of your expenses. That’s why it’s crucial to hire an attorney with specific experience handling motorcycle accidents. Your lawyer can handle all communications with the insurance company and ensure that your claim is taken seriously.
Motorists who cause no-contact motorcycle accidents don’t always stop and take responsibility. In some cases, witnesses and surveillance camera footage might help you identify the motorist who caused the accident. But if they cannot be tracked down, you might need to turn to your own uninsured motorist (UM) policy if you purchased it. Our attorneys are ready to help ensure your insurer pays you what you’re entitled to according to the UM policy.
WHY A LAWYER IS ESSENTIAL TO A NO-CONTACT MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT
If you’ve been injured in a no-contact motorcycle accident, it’s essential to speak with an attorney about your legal options as soon as possible. Proving liability for a no-contact accident can be challenging.
Your attorney can investigate the accident and secure vital evidence to support your claims, such as witness statements, traffic camera videos, accident reconstruction expert testimony, and more. You are much more likely to recover compensation with a skilled motorcycle accident attorney working for you than by trying to seek compensation alone.
CONTACT AN EXPERIENCED MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER IN CALIFORNIA
Were you injured in a no-contact motorcycle accident in Folsom? At The Law Office of Black & DePaoli, PC, our motorcycle accident attorneys have extensive experience handling all types of accident claims. We’re ready to discuss your case in detail when you contact us today for a free consultation.