Who Is at Fault in a No-Contact Auto Collision Involving a Motorcycle?

Since there’s no physical contact, proving negligence in a no-contact motorcycle crash can be challenging. But it’s not impossible.

What comes to mind when you hear of a motorcycle accident? Like most people, you may imagine a car hitting a motorcycle. While this assumption makes sense, it is not the only way motorcycle accidents happen. Sometimes a car can cause a motorcycle to crash without actually making contact with it. This is known as a no-contact motorcycle crash. 

How Do No-Contact Motorcycle Accidents Happen?

Generally, no contact motorcycle accidents occur when a driver’s action forces a motorcyclist to make a defensive maneuver or lay down their motorcycle to avoid a potential wreck. Here are more common ways you could find yourself in a no-contact motorcycle accident.

• When a driver cuts you off, causing you to make a defensive swerve only to hit another car.
• When a driver makes a sudden lane change without signaling, causing you to swerve off-road.
• When a driver makes a dangerous left turn, forcing you to swerve or lay down your bike to avoid a collision.
• When the driver in front of you slams on their brake, forcing you to swerve only to hit a tree. 
• When a driver does not yield the right of way, forcing you to run off the road.
• When you suddenly stop to avoid being sideswiped by a distracted merging driver but end up being rear-ended. 

Who Is at Fault in a No-Contact Motorcycle Collision?

Every motorist is required by law to exercise utmost care while on the road to ensure any action they take or fail to take does not put others in harm’s way. As such, if a driver’s negligent action forces you to make a dangerous maneuver to avoid a collision, they could be held liable for the accident and the resulting injuries and damages. 

Proving Negligence in a No-Contact Motorcycle Collision

Since there’s no physical contact, proving negligence in a no-contact motorcycle crash can be challenging. But it’s not impossible. An experienced attorney can help you gather evidence, file a claim, and take care of negotiations with any insurance companies involved. They can also use available evidence to help you demonstrate how the negligent driver’s actions contributed to the accident. 

Speak With a St. Louis Auto Accident Lawyer

If you have been injured in a no-contact motorcycle accident in St Louis, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact The Hoffmann Law Firm today for a free case evaluation!