Negligent drivers can cause a motorcycle accident in many ways. Actually, they don't even need to touch the other vehicle to do it.
Motorcycle riders are more prone to losing control of their vehicles and falling than other drivers. That's the reason the law asks everyone to be extra careful when driving around them.
No-contact motorcycle accidents are a specific type of crash. It's important to understand what this is about to know how to get compensation for it properly.
This blog post has all the information people need to understand no-contact motorcycle accidents. Victims looking for an attorney in Iowa can call Tom Fowler Law to schedule a free consultation. They can also advise on common causes of motorcycle accidents.
What Is a No-Contact Motorcycle Accident?
In a nutshell, a no-contact motorcycle accident happens when a rider crashes with another thing or falls from the bike without any other vehicles hitting it. People can still suffer severe injuries from this kind of accident.
It's important to understand that a no-contact situation is still legally considered an accident. Hence, the victim can sue the person who caused the crash to get compensation.
Why are people who didn't touch the bike still liable for a no-contact motorcycle accident? Because they behaved negligently toward the rider.
Examples of No-Contact Motorcycle Accidents
Since most people think accidents need an actual collision to happen to seek compensation, they lose the chance to get money after a no-contact motorcycle accident. The best way to understand this is with examples. Here are a few:
Lane Switching
Improper lane switching can cause many types of accidents in general, not only bike ones. Since cars and trucks have blind spots, drivers could fail to see motorcycle riders next to them.
Switching lanes without knowing there is a motorbike there will make the rider move rashly to avoid a collision. Doing that could make them lose control of their motorcycle and crash with another thing.
Something similar happens when a car switches lanes without using turn signals or letting the other drivers know they are doing that in any way. In this case, taking the rider by surprise could make them fall from the bike.
This is one of the reasons lane splitting is illegal in Iowa. When victims get into this kind of problem, they should get medical treatment and hire a motorcycle accident attorney right away.
Brake Checking/Suddenly Stopping
Suddenly stopping a vehicle to cause a collision or scare other drivers is illegal. Even if it's not intentional, this kind of problem could cause a severe accident.
Since it's a sudden stop, motorcycle riders don't have time to react or stop. Therefore, they need to either move quickly or lay the bike down to avoid a collision. Victims can treat this as a no-contact accident in a personal injury lawsuit.
Sometimes, brake checking could cause a series of collisions. Naturally, the driver who started the problem would be mainly liable for all the damages the other parties went through. Everything depends on how the motorcycle accident attorney approaches the case, though.
Right-of-Way-Violation
Clearly, most of the reasons behind a no-contact motorcycle accident are forms of aggressive driving. If drivers followed traffic laws thoroughly, this wouldn't happen that much. Right-of-way violations are an example of that.
Drivers who get to an intersection and fail to yield the right of way could be responsible for a no-contact motorcycle crash. The rider in this case would need to move harshly or brake suddenly to avoid a collision. This will most likely make them lose control of their bike and fall.
Other Reasons
Motorcycle accidents involve many other things apart from just another driver being negligent. Riders could fall if they, for example, faced unexpected debris, such as a pothole or random object on the road.
Who Is Liable for a No-Contact Motorcycle Accident?
While many no-contact motorcycle accidents happen because of an at-fault driver, things are not always like that.
People are only liable for this kind of situation if they are negligent. Hence, victims first need to understand what negligence legally means in the first place.
Drivers have the legal responsibility to do what a "reasonable person" would do in their situation. As long as they do that, they won't be held liable for a no-contact motorcycle accident, regardless of what happened.
Now, if someone does things reasonable people wouldn't, they can be considered an at-fault driver. How does that apply to these accidents? In most cases, it's about doing what is physically possible to prevent a foreseeable problem.
The entity in charge of determining if an action was reasonable depends on the case. If drivers want insurance coverage, the insurer will do so.
When a motorcycle rider suffers injuries and chooses to file a personal injury lawsuit, it's on the jury or judge assigned to the case. Victims can receive appropriate compensation for future lost income, pain, property damage, medical bills, emotional distress, and more.
Even if they face serious injuries, riders can also be liable for a no-contact motorcycle accident if they don't follow traffic signals. If it's about a bike malfunction, it's on the vehicle's manufacturer, repair workshop, or parts store.
The state government could be liable for a motorcycle accident if it happens due to poor road conditions. It's unlikely to see this happening, though. For more information, a motorcycle accident law firm in Des Moines may be able to help.
Are No-Contact Motorcycle Accidents Always a Civil Matter?
When drivers fail to exercise reasonable care, people can file a lawsuit or insurance claim. That, however, is merely a civil matter. Thus, the negligent driver doesn't face criminal charges for it. Yet, there's a situation where that could happen.
If the driver doesn't notice they caused the crash or deliberately leaves the accident scene, the police will address the situation as a hit-and-run. In this case, people call the negligent party a "phantom driver."
Final Thoughts - Get Legal Assistance for No-Contact Motorcycle Accidents in Iowa!
When victims suffer injuries, they need a decent legal team to build a strong case. Even in cases when it's obvious the other party was liable, they could still lose.
Motorbike riders need an experienced attorney who can negotiate with the other driver or their own insurance company to get to a decent settlement. Tom Fowler Law is ready to take these cases in Des Moines, Iowa.
You only need to call this law firm to schedule a free consultation. Its lawyers are experts in personal injury accidents, so your case is in good hands with them.
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