Motorcycle accidents happen in various ways, and while most are disastrous, fully understanding how they happened ensures you know who is at fault. A high-side accident is an example of this. You may hear “low side” or “high side” described as what happened in your accident. Both of these accidents typically occur when a rider is operating their bike on a curve. There are many ways fault could be determined in these accidents. Talk to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Phoenix at Sargon Law Group today if you suffer injuries in a high-side accident on your motorcycle.
What Is a High-Side Accident?
A high-side crash refers to the position of the driver. The biker is fully upright during a high-side accident. This is compared to being in a low-side crash in which the rider is lower to the ground. In a high-side accident, the risks of the driver being thrown off the motorcycle are quite high, and that often leads to serious and traumatic injuries.
Causes of a High-Side Motorcycle Accident
Though they are not as common as low-side crashes, a high-side motorcycle accident often occurs when the rear tire loses traction and then regains it very quickly. This causes the rider to be catapulted off the bike. Some of the most common reasons these accidents happen include the following:
- Speeding, as too much acceleration takes place, especially when coming out of a lean-heavy turn, can lead to a high-side accident. The tire struggles to handle the increased speed while it is on its edge, causing the rider to lose control. If the speed limit is not posted on the road, then liability could be assigned to the local jurisdiction for failure to post the speed limit.
- Road conditions can also cause these accidents, often in situations where the road is slippery, causing the rear wheel to lose control and traction on the road. If a tire regains traction mid-skid, the rider can be ejected from the bike into the air. Potholes while riding high up can also lead to high-side accidents. A public entity could be held responsible for a high-side crash for failing to maintain safe roads.
- Distracted drivers pose a major risk to motorcycle rides, especially those who like to ride high up when taking curves. A distracted driver likely is not looking for a motorcycle when entering or leaving a curve, which could cause them to swerve into oncoming traffic, hitting a rider who is riding high up at the time of the crash.
These accidents are often unpredictable, which means that riders often have very little ability to overcome the mistake, causing them to be thrown from the bike.
Common Injuries in a High-Side Accident
Motorcycle accidents like this often cause traumatic injuries because the rider is launched into the air due to the force and speed involved. This often causes injuries such as:
- Broken and shattered bones
- Head injuries involving traumatic brain injuries and serious concussions
- Spinal column injuries with paralysis
- Lacerations and open wounds
- Emotional trauma and mental health complications
- Road rash and burns
- Disfigurement and amputation
Victims in an accident like this may face challenges proving another party is at fault. That is one of the key reasons why you should seek out legal representation in a case like this.
Set Up a Free Consultation to Discuss Your Accident
If you were in a high-side accident, contact Sargon Law Group to request a free consultation about the incident. Our extensive experience in fighting for fair compensation for victims, even in challenging cases, enables our attorneys to offer you the very best support possible. Call us for a free consultation.