Understanding Your Rights After A No Contact Motorcycle Accident
While the number of fatalities has decreased slightly, motorcyclists still suffer substantially when it comes to traffic-related deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). If an accident was caused by a negligent driver, whether contact happened or not, you could have the right to receive compensation under the law.
Understanding your rights after a no contact motorcycle accident can be crucial for recovering compensation and justice. Tyroler Injury Law can help you understand your rights and get clear on any options you might have for pursuing compensation from a negligent driver or another at-fault party. Call us now to schedule a free consultation with a motorcycle accident attorney to determine whether you have a case at 651-259-1113.
What Is a No Contact Motorcycle Accident?
Not all motorcycle accidents involve an actual impact or collision with another vehicle. Motorcycle accidents can also occur when no contact has been made with any other vehicles and only the motorcycle crashed. However, even in a no contact motorcycle accident, another driver could be responsible and potentially remain legally liable for a motorcyclist’s damages.
For example, another driver may have run a red light or failed to yield to the motorcyclist, causing the motorcyclist to avoid the car and ultimately crash without ever coming into contact with the negligent driver’s vehicle. Unfortunately, it can be particularly challenging for a motorcycle rider to prove negligence in a no contact accident. In many cases, the other driver might simply drive off without noticing the crash they caused. If you suffered injuries and losses as a result of a no contact motorcycle accident, consider visiting with our legal team at Tyroler Injury Law today to find out about your options and possible next steps.
Proving Negligence in No Contact Motorcycle Accidents
There can be many reasons for motorcycle accidents that do not involve contact with another vehicle. Since most motorcycles have only two wheels, they are inherently less stable and more prone to accidents than cars. Causes of single-vehicle crashes can include:
- Weather conditions
- Bad road design
- Road defects
- Objects in the road
- Motorcycle defects
In some cases, a motorcyclist that experienced a single-vehicle crash without the involvement of any other drivers could still have the right to receive compensation. If a motorcycle rider crashed due to a bad road surface or defective road design, the motorcyclist could have a case against a local government entity.
Causes of No Contact Motorcycle Accidents
According to the NHTSA, the overwhelming majority of motor vehicle crashes (more than 90 percent) happen as a result of driver error. If your no contact motorcycle accident occurred due to another person’s reckless or careless driving, you could potentially recover compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company, or sue them personally for damages. Negligent acts that often cause no contact motorcycle accidents include the following:
- Drunk driving
- Speeding excessively
- Making improper turns or lane changes
- Cutting a motorcyclist off
- Weaving in and out of traffic
- Driving drowsy
- Driving distracted
- Improperly passing
- Violating road laws
A reckless driver can be responsible for a motorcyclist’s damages even if they do not actually collide with the motorcycle. However, if the at-fault driver never stopped at the scene and simply left the scene of the accident, the motorcyclist can find it legally challenging to recover compensation and justice.
Recovering Compensation After a No Contact Accident
Recovering compensation from a negligent party after a no contact motorcycle crash can be legally challenging. Even if the at-fault driver stays at the scene, or drove off but can later be identified, developing a strong legal argument to prove negligence will require compelling evidence and analysis. There are several ways in which a motorcycle rider can attempt to receive compensation after a no contact motorcycle accident.
Filing a Claim with Your Own Insurance Company
If the at-fault driver remains unknown and you are unable to file a claim with their insurance, not all is lost. You could potentially recover compensation through your own motor vehicle insurance, specifically if you have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage as part of your overall policy. Your own insurance company should then cover your losses such as medical expenses, motorcycle repair or replacement costs, and other expenses.
Filing a Claim with the Negligent Driver’s Insurance Company
If the at-fault driver in the no contact motorcycle accident is known, you should in the first instance try to recover compensation from their car insurance company. It is important to note that an experienced personal injury attorney can help negotiate with the insurance company and work on recovering a fair settlement for you. If the insurance coming is taking too long to make a decision regarding your claim, or offers you an unfair settlement package, an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can take your case to court.
Types of Compensation
If you can hold the negligent driver responsible for the no contact motorcycle accident, you could potentially recover the following damages:
- Repair or replacement costs for your motorcycle
- Medical bills
- Future medical bills
- Loss of income
- Future loss of income
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
You could also potentially receive other or additional damages, depending on the facts and circumstances of your specific no contact motorcycle accident. It is important to note that compensation will generally depend on the extent of a victim’s injuries and other facts of the accident.
How Tyroler Injury Law Can Help
After a no contact motorcycle accident, your next steps can include seeking medical advice and contacting a personal injury lawyer to learn more about your legal rights.
Tyroler Injury Law can work on protecting your legal rights and potentially help you build a case against the negligent party, whether they are another driver, a business, or a government entity. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney from our office can help you by:
- Providing professional legal advice and counsel
- Analyzing your accident circumstances comprehensively
- Identifying all at-fault parties in your claim
- Hiring expert witnesses to prove your claim
- Gathering evidence and witness statements
- Helping you file and track insurance claims
- Communicating and negotiating with the insurance companies
- Calculating your damages appropriately
- Fighting for a fair out-of-court settlement on your behalf
- Taking your case to court if insurance companies fail to compensate you adequately
- Representing you at trial
We pride ourselves on giving our clients the time and personal attention that they deserve. Call Tyroler Injury Law now and speak to us for free to find out if we can help you recover compensation: 651-259-1113.
Attorney Isaac Tyroler
Attorney Isaac Tyroler has been a strong advocate for injured people his entire legal career. He has a passion for righting wrongs, and he deeply cares about representing injured clients who may feel overwhelmed or uncertain about how to navigate the legal system. He is compassionate toward clients and aggressive with insurance companies and defendants. He is on the elected Board of Governors of the Minnesota Association of Justice (MAJ), the top personal injury lawyers’ group in Minnesota. And is currently the chair of MAJ’s legislative committee. [ Attorney Bio ]
