Recovering Damages in a No-Contact Motorcycle Accident
A no-contact motorcycle accident is one that involves a motorcycle crashing without any contact with another vehicle or object. Several things can cause a no-contact motorcycle accident in Charleston, including wet or slippery road conditions, mechanical failure, drug or alcohol use by the rider, or another driver’s negligence. These types of crashes can be just as dangerous and devastating as any other type of motorcycle collision.
How Exactly Can Another Driver Cause a No-Contact Motorcycle Accident?
A motorcycle accident can be caused by another driver’s careless or negligent behavior in several ways, even if the vehicles do not make physical contact. Here’s how:
Cutting off a motorcycle: If a driver suddenly changes lanes or makes a turn without properly checking their blind spot, they may cut off a motorcycle rider who is traveling behind them. This can cause the rider to swerve, brake suddenly, or lose control of the motorcycle, leading to a no-contact accident.
Distracted driving: If a driver is not paying attention to the road due to distractions from a phone, GPS, or other device, they may not be aware of the presence of motorcyclists who are also traveling on the same stretch of road.
This can cause an unexpected maneuver by the driver which can force a rider to take evasive action and potentially lead to an accident without physical contact between vehicles.
Aggressive driving: If a driver is excessively speeding, following too closely, or driving in an erratic manner, it can create a dangerous situation for motorcyclists. If the motorcyclist sees this, they may take an abrupt action such as swerving or braking suddenly to avoid them, which could result in an accident.
Road rage: In extreme cases, a driver may intentionally try to scare or intimidate a motorcycle rider, which can cause the rider to lose control of their motorcycle and crash.
Types of Damages That Can Be Recovered in a No-Contact Motorcycle
When it comes to recovering damages after a motorcycle accident, there are two main types of losses that you may be able to recover: economic and non-economic damages.
Examples of Economic Losses from Motorcycle Accidents
Economic losses refer to any type of financial loss that has been caused by an accident or injury. The most common type of economic loss is medical expenses related to treatment for an injury sustained in the accident. This includes not just hospital bills but also doctor’s visits, medication costs, physical therapy sessions, home health care services, and any other medical expense related to treating your injury.
Additionally, if you have had to miss work due to your injuries, you may also be able to recover those lost wages, as well as future lost wages and loss of earning capacity.
In addition to medical costs and lost wages mentioned above, there are also other forms of economic loss that may be applicable in your case such as damage done directly to your bike, repair costs for damaged clothing or helmets worn during the crash, out-of-pocket expenses for transportation, and even rental car costs if necessary.
Examples of Non-Economic Losses from Motorcycle Accidents
Non-economic losses refer to intangible forms of harm suffered after an accident such as pain and suffering or emotional distress caused by the incident itself or its aftermath (such as PTSD).
These non-economic damages can include the following:
- Physical pain caused by injuries sustained during the crash
- Mental anguish resulting from fear or anxiety
- Loss of enjoyment/quality life
- Humiliation/embarrassment caused by disfigurement
- Loss of companionship/consortium
- Anxiety associated with recovery
- PTSD/Grief/Depression
Every situation is unique so it’s important to speak with an experienced attorney about which types of damages might apply in your case so you get the compensation you deserve.
If you need help, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
