If a motorcycle rider was reckless and caused the crash that led to your injuries, you can absolutely hold the rider responsible for compensating you for your losses. Just like any other motor vehicle crash, you will have to prove that the biker caused the crash and demonstrate that you have suffered losses as a direct result.
Even if the motorcyclist 
is more seriously injured than you are—a likely scenario given the lack of protection a rider has—their liability insurance provider should be made to compensate you.
At Keller & Keller, our Indianapolis auto accident attorney team proudly represent motorcycle riders when they suffer serious injuries in crashes caused by negligent drivers, but we also represent drivers injured when the biker is at fault.
We are committed to getting accident victims the compensation they deserve when another motorist is careless or reckless.
How Reckless Motorcycle Riders Cause Crashes
Every crash, regardless of the type of vehicle involved, has to be analyzed to determine the cause. In a crash involving a motorcycle and a car, either driver could be at fault.
However, when a biker engages in any of the following reckless actions, they are likely to blame:
- Speeding. Sportbikes are designed for speed, but that does not mean riders are permitted to exceed the speed limit. When a speeding motorcycle cuts you off, runs you off the road, or forces a sudden stop because they are speeding, they should be found at fault for the crash.
- Weaving in and out of traffic. Some bikers take advantage of the speed and maneuverability of their vehicle to weave back and forth between lanes to try to get ahead of traffic. This is dangerous behavior and could cause a crash.
- Lane splitting. Lane splitting is when a biker passes cars by riding between two clearly marked lanes of traffic. This is illegal in Indiana and, if a biker causes a crash while lane splitting, they should be found at fault for the crash.
- Lane sharing. While it is legal for two motorcycles to ride side-by-side in a single lane in Indiana, it requires skill to do so safely. If two riders are sharing a lane and one crosses into the other lane and causes a crash, that rider should be held accountable.
- Riding while intoxicated. As with any vehicle, it is dangerous and illegal to ride while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Because motorcycles require a high level of skill and attention to operate safely, this is especially dangerous for bikers. An intoxicated rider should be found at fault if they are involved in a crash.
- Racing. When several bikers choose to use Indiana roads as a racecourse, they endanger all of the other motorists on the highway. If you are run off the road or forced to stop suddenly because of racing bikers, they should be held responsible for your injuries.
- Failing to get a motorcycle endorsement. The leading cause of motorcycle crashes—whether a solo crash or not—is inexperience. In order to ride a motorcycle in Indiana, you have to complete a safety course or a skills test to obtain an endorsement on your license. If a brand new rider or an unlicensed rider causes your crash, their lack of experience could be to blame.
At Keller & Keller, our personal injury lawyer team know that it’s common practice to blame bikers for every crash, but when a negligent motorcyclist is truly at fault for causing your crash, we want to hear from you.
