Motorcycle hit in the rear by another driver – same as a vehicle rear end shunt?

Most people know that a driver who crashes in to the back of another vehicle is pretty much always at fault for the accident. Unless the vehicle in front intentionally or recklessly slammed their brakes on, you’ll normally find that liability rests firmly with the driver hitting the back of the vehicle in front.

So, is this the same for motorcycle accidents?

What some may feel is an obvious question, others may not. We aim to make sure our advice is thorough and answers as many questions as possible for the varying people who are looking for no obligation legal advice.

Although liability should always be properly investigated with a lawyer on your side, we can say that, for most cases, the outcome of a driver hitting the back of a motorcyclist should be the same in terms of liability. It’s all about the fact that the driver behind the motorcyclist has the important duty to leave a safe enough gap.

So, if you are hit in the rear by a car driver, you should have an almost nailed-on claim.

They can be common

Motorbikes being hit in the rear can be common for a number of reasons.

Firstly, motorcyclists are notoriously harder to spot for drivers not paying enough attention, which can make them prime targets for a driver hitting them from behind. Secondly is the fact that motorcyclists often have to dodge more accidents than car drivers from other road users changing lanes and pulling out of side roads.

Although the car driver has precisely the same duty of care for a motorcyclist as any other road user, we all know that motorcyclists are at greater risk because they’re smaller and harder to see. That’s not the motorcyclist’s fault of course; it still comes down to other road users not paying enough due care and attention.

But, for that reason, motorcyclists have to be more aware so they can take in to account the possible negligence of other road users. As such, you’ll often see motorcyclists being forced to apply their brakes so they can avoid other road users almost hitting them!

Motorbike injuries are often worse

The injuries sustained to motorcyclists can, understandably, be far worse than those a car driver in a rear end collision can suffer from.

In the absence of the same protection a car driver has, motorcyclists are often the victim of more serious injuries whenever they are hit by a car.

It’s therefore always important to instruct a specialist lawyer for your claim.