Don't Assume You're At Fault After Rear-Ending A Car As A Motorcyclist
Motorcycle wheels do not have as much traction as the wheels of automobiles because they are rounder. This means that you might find it more difficult to stop your motorcycle as fast as another driver on the road. If you are tailgating, the other driver might stop their vehicle suddenly and you may collide and suffer an accident. If this occurs, you'll want to immediately speak with a motorcycle accident attorney.
Don't Admit Fault
Even if you believe that you were at fault for the accident, do not admit fault because there may be facts that could lead to you being held only partially liable or even entirely without fault. For example, the other driver might have been changing lanes or might have been driving erratically due to being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
You'll especially not want to admit fault if you are riding with other motorcyclists. In some cases, your accident might be the result of the other motorcyclists driving side-by-side with you.
Problems That Arise from Motorcycle Formations
When you are riding in a formation, a lot of planning needs to go into how you will all conduct yourselves. Each member should be given directions, and you will also need to determine who will be the leader.
However, some groups will unfortunately not practice safe habits and might put you in danger. For example, the other motorcyclists might be tailgating a driver and you might feel like you're boxed in. If the other motorcyclists are driving recklessly, you will want to keep your distance so you are not also involved in an accident.
Your Consultation with a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
If you collide with the back of a car while riding in a motorcycle group, you will want to explain everything you remember to your motorcycle accident attorney. These types of accidents can be very complex and difficult to sort out who was at fault.
For example, your leader might have guided you when passing a vehicle at a time when it would not be safe to do so. You might not have been riding in a staggered formation where it would have been easy to see, but were instead engaged in lane sharing. This is especially a problem if sharing a lane is not legal in your state.
While you may have rear-ended the other driver, there are other factors that can come into play that may lead to you not being fully at fault.