Low-Side and High-Side Motorcycle Accidents Explained

A low-side motorcycle accident occurs when one of the wheels loses traction, causing the bike to fall over. A high-side accident occurs when the rear wheel loses and then regains traction, often throwing the rider off the bike.

A Lafayette motorcycle accident lawyer can explain more about these types of accidents and how to seek compensation for them.

What Causes Lowsider Motorcycle Accidents?

In order to keep their balance, a motorcyclist has to maintain the right speed for the right situation. For example, they can safely go at higher speeds while on a straight roadway than they can while taking a turn.

Going around corners can upset the delicate balance a rider must maintain. The front or back wheel of the bike can slide out and cause a low-side accident if the rider:

• Brakes too hard
• Miscalculates the lean angle 
• Is going too fast while going into the turn
• Is going too fast when coming out of the turn
• Is driving on a road surface that creates a loss of traction

What Causes Highsider Motorcycle Accidents?

In a high-side motorcycle crash, it is always the back tire that loses traction. (In lowsiders, it can be either tire.) Then, the tire quickly regains traction, either by itself or through the rider’s attempts to regain its balance.

This sudden loss and recovery of traction makes the bike very unstable. Within seconds, a rider is thrown from the motorcycle, often over the handlebars, as the bike itself spins or flips out of control.

Are Highsiders More Dangerous Than Lowsiders?

Rider errors can lead to different types of crashes. Common types of motorcycle accidents include highside crashes and lowside crashes, each of which can lead to catastrophic injuries. While high-side motorcycle accidents are rarer than low-side accidents, they are usually more violent, throwing the rider a farther distance from the vehicle. This explains why highsiders can result in more serious injuries than lowsiders.

Lowsider Motorcycle Accident Injuries

In a low-side accident, the rider tends to stay with the bike as it falls. This can lead to the following common injuries for motorcycle riders:

• Road rash, especially if the rider is not wearing protective clothing
• Injuries to the leg trapped under the bike
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Whiplash or head injuries as the head and neck are thrown around
• Soft tissue injuries 
• Broken bones

Highside Crash Injuries

With this type of motorcycle accident, motorcycle riders are often thrown off the bike and into the path of oncoming traffic. Both the impact of hitting the road and of being hit by other vehicles can cause:

• Bone fractures
• Deep cuts and lacerations
• Head trauma, including traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries

Can Motorcycle Crashes Be Fatal?

Yes. In fact, motorcycle accidents may be considerably more deadly than other types of motor vehicle collisions.

For example, the Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development reports that, in 2022, there were 1,520 accidents involving two-wheeled motorcycles. Though this represents less than 1 percent of all traffic accidents that occurred in the state, it also accounts for over 7 percent of all fatal crashes.

Suing After a Motorcycle Accident: Your Rights Explained

You have a limited time to file a lawsuit if someone else’s negligence caused your lowsider or highsider accident. The deadline varies depending on where you live. In Louisiana, for instance, it is just two years, according to Louisiana Civil Code § 3492.

When to Sue After a Motorcycle Accident

You can only file a lawsuit if you (and your motorcycle accident attorney, should you hire one) can prove that someone’s negligent behavior caused your collision. Common examples of negligence in motorcycle crashes include:

• A car driver getting distracted or failing to keep an eye out for motorcyclists
• Another motorcyclist who does not give you enough space to maneuver
• A motorcycle manufacturer that lets people buy their product despite knowing there is an issue with the bike that could cause high-side or low-side crashes
• A government agency that left foreign objects or potholes in the road, forcing you to make a sudden turn

Damages Available in Highsider and Lowsider Accidents

The type of damages you can receive depends on what the accident has cost you in terms of money, physical health, and emotional well-being. While you are required to carry motorcycle insurance, the mandated coverage only pays for damage inflicted on another person, not on yourself.

To recover damages for your own injuries, you can file a claim or sue the liable party for:

• Pain and suffering
• Disability
• Reduced quality of life
• Medical expenses
• Property damage, especially to the bike
• Loss of wages

Filing a Wrongful Death Motorcycle Accident Case

If your loved one passes away before they can start or complete their case, a wrongful death lawyer can help. Surviving family members have the right to collect damages for:

• Funeral expenses
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of financial support
• Any injuries their loved one never received compensation for on their own behalf

Filing and Fighting a Motorcycle Accident Case

There are many steps you must complete before receiving compensation for your collision. A personal injury or wrongful death lawyer can walk you through these steps and take care of all the hard work for you, including:

• Collecting evidence to prove that the liable party’s negligence contributed to your high-side or low-side accident
• Speaking to the responsible party and their team on your behalf so they do not get a chance to pressure you into doing something against your will
• Calculating how much your injuries are worth, so the insurance company cannot get away with offering a lowball amount
• Updating you regularly about what is going on with your case and giving you the information you need to make the right legal decisions for you
• Negotiating with the insurer for a settlement agreement that covers everything you have lost or expect to lose because of the crash
• Taking your case to court and fighting for a jury award if and when it becomes clear that the insurer will not offer a fair settlement

We Can Explain Your Rights After a Motorcycle Accident

At Laborde Earles, we understand that motorcycle accidents do not just affect you; your entire family suffers. Whether you were injured in a low-side or a high-side crash, call us today and let us explain your rights in greater detail. We never bill clients until they receive their compensation.