What is a “No Contact” Motorcycle Accident?
When most people think of motorcycle accidents, they picture incidents involving collisions with larger vehicles on the roadway. However, it is certainly possible for motorcycle accidents to occur without the motorcyclist coming into contact with another vehicle or any object at all. That does not mean that another driver is not at fault. Here, we want to examine “no contact” motorcycle accidents and look at scenarios where another driver could be at fault.
How Does a No-Contact Crash Occur?
As the name suggests, a no-contact motorcycle accident happens when there is no contact with another vehicle involved. This may seem like a recipe for putting the blame right onto the motorcyclist, but that is not necessarily true. There does not have to be direct contact with another vehicle in order for someone else to be at fault aside from the motorcyclist.
No contact accidents can occur in a wide variety of ways, and they do not only involve motorcyclists. In fact, no contact accidents occur with various other types of vehicle accidents, including incidents involving two or more traditional vehicles. However, motorcyclists are more likely to be involved in no contact accidents due to the very nature of operating these vehicles. The size, weight, and shape of the motorcycle mean that the driver of the motorcycle must maintain a certain speed and balance in order to ensure that both wheels remain on the ground and they remain in a forward motion.
However, if the actions of other drivers on the roadway cause a motorcyclist to become unstable or unable to remain upright and moving forward, this can lead to a no-contact motorcycle crash. If a motorcyclist thinks that another vehicle on the roadway is about to strike them, they may need to take evasive action to avoid a collision. Unfortunately, these evasive maneuvers can lead to a motorcyclist crashing onto the roadway, off the road, or into other vehicles or fixed objects.
Some of the most common ways that no contact motorcycle accidents occur include another driver:
- Unsafely changing lanes
- Not checking their blind spot
- Going too fast for conditions or speeding
- Failing to follow basic traffic laws
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Operating while distracted by a phone or another device
- Operating while impaired by alcohol or drugs
- Running stop signs or stoplights
In addition to no contact motorcycle accidents being caused by drivers and other vehicles, these incidents can also involve pedestrians and bicyclists, particularly if they walk or ride in front of a motorcyclist at the wrong time.
Working With an Attorney
If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a no-contact motorcycle accident in California, you need to reach out to a Sacramento motorcycle accident attorney immediately. The reality is that proving fault in a no-contact motorcycle accident will likely be more challenging than proving fault in a traditional contact accident. However, a skilled accident lawyer will use their resources to conduct a complete investigation into the incident. This will include gathering various evidence to prove fault, including statements from eyewitnesses, video surveillance footage, vehicle black box data, and more. Ultimately, victims of no contact motorcycle accidents should be able to recover compensation for their medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering damages, property damage expenses, and more.