What is a “No-Contact” Motorcycle Accident?
May 20, 2021
The last thing any motorcyclist expects is that they will be involved in an accident when they get on the roadway. However, any person who has driven a motorcycle knows that there are risks. Often, these risks come from other drivers. In some circumstances, a motorcycle can crash even if another driver does not make any contact with them. There are various ways in which other drivers on the roadway can still be at fault for an accident if they do not come into contact with the motorcyclist. Here, we want to discuss “no-contact” motorcycle accidents as well as the injuries that can occur in these situations.
Common Causes of No-Contact Motorcycle Accidents in California
No-contact motorcycle accidents occur anytime a motorist on the roadway causes a motorcycle crash without actually coming into contact with the motorcycle. We need to be clear that no-contact motorcycle accidents can occur between any type of vehicle on the roadway, not just motorcycles. These incidents can also occur between one or more passenger vehicles or passenger vehicles and commercial trucks.
Unfortunately, motorcyclists in California face a higher risk of being involved in no-contact accidents than others on the roadway. Due to the size, shape, and passenger capacity of a motorcycle, riders have to maintain certain speeds and operate the bike in such a way that ensures that both wheels are kept on the roadway and that they remain in a forward motion.
Some of the most common causes of no-contact motorcycle accidents include the actions of passenger vehicle drivers, such as:
- Tailgating a motorcyclist
- Driving too fast for conditions
- Failing to check blind spots
- Unsafe lane changes
- Driving impaired
- Driving distracted
- Traffic wall violations
- Running red lights or stop signs
- …and more
Looking Closely at No-Contact Motorcycle Accident Scenarios
When we examine the list of no-contact motorcycle accident causes above, we can see that there are several scenarios in which these incidents may occur. However, we want to discuss two of the most common ways that no-contact motorcycle crashes in California happen.
First, let us suppose that a vehicle driver runs a stop sign (or stop light) just as a motorcyclist who has the right of way passes through on the roadway. Even if the vehicle that ran the stop sign does not strike the motorcyclist, the motorcyclist may take evasive actions to avoid the collision. If they swerve quickly, this could cause the motorcyclist to crash. In this scenario, the driver of the vehicle could be held responsible for the motorcyclist’s injuries even though there was no direct contact between the vehicles.
Another common cause of no-contact motorcycle crashes involves unsafe lane changes. Motorists have fairly large blind spots, and motorcyclists are small enough to fit completely inside of these blind spots. However, anytime a motorist wants to change lanes, they should check their mirrors and their blind spots before doing so. If a vehicle driver changes lanes without first checking and begins to merge into a motorcyclist’s lane, this could cause the motorcyclist to run off the road or into other lanes of traffic.
Working With an Attorney
If you or somebody you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by the careless or negligent actions of another driver, you need to reach out to an attorney as soon as possible. A skilled motorcycle accident lawyer in Orange County will be able to handle any motorcycle accident case you have been involved in, including no-contact accidents.