What is a “No-Contact” Motorcycle Accident?

Accidents caused by motorcycles can lead to severe injuries for both the rider and the passenger. When most people think of motorcycle accidents, they think of incidents resulting from a collision with another vehicle on the roadway. However, that is not the only way an accident can occur. A driver’s negligent actions, such as cutting off a motorcyclist, can cause them to crash without collision, which can also cause disastrous damage to the motorcycle and the motorcyclist. There is no contact between the motorcycle and the other vehicle. This is known as a “no contact” motorcycle accident.

Proving Liability in a No-Contact Motorcycle Accident

One of the most significant difficulties of holding someone responsible for a no-contact motorcycle accident is that the other driver may not stop to see the damage they have caused. This is sometimes intentional, but sometimes the other negligent driver doesn’t even realize that they’ve caused a significant accident.

If possible, take notes about the other vehicle, such as make, model, and license plate number. This is difficult to do due to the sudden nature of an accident, so this may not always be an option. Another step you can take is to speak to any witnesses. If another driver stops, or there are pedestrians who saw the accident, you can get their name and contact information and ask them if they have any information about the accident or vehicle that they can provide.

If You Can’t Locate the Driver

In some circumstances, the unfortunate reality is that you may never locate the driver. If this occurs, you will almost certainly lose out on compensation that you should be entitled to, but there are still steps you can take. You should reach out to your own insurance company and file an uninsured motorist claim. This can help you collect compensation if the driver doesn’t have insurance or if you are involved in a hit-and-run.

If you find yourself in this position, it can be incredibly helpful to contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Denver before you contact your insurance company. Your lawyer can help you negotiate with the insurance company to make sure you get the maximum compensation possible.

Other Steps to take If you are Involved in a No-Contact Motorcycle Accident

If you are involved in a no-contact motorcycle accident, consider taking the following steps:

• Make sure you’re out of harm’s way. Before you do anything else, make sure you aren’t in a dangerous location where you’re at risk of further injury. It’s best if you don’t move your motorcycle so the police can see the accident scene as it happened, but do whatever you need to do to keep yourself safe.
• Call 911. One of the first things you should do after a motorcycle accident is call 911. An officer will respond to the scene and write up an accident report, take note of the scene, and speak with the other driver and witnesses if present.
• Take photos. The more photographs you can take, the better. Photograph any visible injuries you’ve suffered, property damage to your motorcycle or anything else you had on your person or in the bike, and photographs of the involved driver’s vehicle and license plate.
• Seek medical attention. Motorcycle accidents can cause severe injuries. Even if you don’t see any visible injuries that look too concerning, it’s always a good idea to get checked out by a doctor. Motorcycle injuries are known for causing internal injuries, so this is something you want to rule out.

If you were involved in a no-contact motorcycle accident, contact us today to set up a free consultation.