Highside and Lowside Motorcycle Crashes in NC

The Bottom Line

Highside and lowside crashes are the two fundamental ways a motorcycle goes down. Lowsides (the bike slides out) cause road rash and fractures; highsides (the rider is catapulted over the bike) cause catastrophic injuries including TBI and spinal damage. When another party's negligence caused the traction loss -- a road defect, fluid spill, or mechanical failure -- these crashes can lead to significant legal claims in NC.

Two Ways a Motorcycle Goes Down

Every motorcycle crash where the bike falls (as opposed to a direct collision with another vehicle) is either a lowside or a highside. These are not just technical terms -- they describe fundamentally different crash dynamics that produce very different injuries and have different implications for your legal claim.

Understanding which type of crash you experienced helps explain your injuries, identify who is at fault, and anticipate the defense arguments the insurance company will use.

Lowside Crashes

A lowside crash occurs when the motorcycle's tires lose traction and the bike slides out from under the rider, falling to the ground on its "low side" -- the side closest to the ground in a lean.

How Lowsides Happen

The most common causes of traction loss leading to a lowside:

• Road surface hazards: Gravel, sand, oil, coolant, diesel fuel, wet leaves, or painted road markings that become slippery when wet
• Over-braking: Applying too much front or rear brake, especially mid-corner, exceeds available traction
• Wet roads: Rain reduces tire grip, and the first 30 minutes of rain are the most dangerous as oil rises to the surface
• Cold tires: Tires that have not reached operating temperature have significantly less grip
• Over-leaning: Leaning the motorcycle beyond the available traction angle for the speed and road surface

Lowside Injuries

Because the rider slides along the road surface rather than being launched into the air, lowside injuries tend to follow a predictable pattern:

• Road rash: The primary injury. Severity depends on speed, road surface, and whether the rider was wearing protective gear. Can range from superficial abrasions to full-thickness skin loss requiring grafting.
• Fractures: Broken collarbones, wrists, and ankles are common as the rider slides and tumbles.
• Dislocated shoulders and hips: The impact of hitting the ground at speed often dislocates joints.
• Biker's arm: The instinctive attempt to break the fall with an outstretched arm can damage the brachial plexus nerve network.

Highside Crashes

A highside crash is far more violent. It occurs when the rear tire loses traction, begins to slide, and then suddenly regains grip. The sudden restoration of traction creates a violent rotational force that flips the motorcycle upright and catapults the rider over the "high side" of the bike -- the side that is higher in the lean.

How Highsides Happen

The sequence is always the same: loss of traction, then sudden regain of traction.

• Rear wheel lock and release: The rider locks the rear brake, the bike starts to slide, and then the rider releases the brake. The rear tire grips suddenly and flips the bike.
• Throttle chop in a lean: The rider decelerates abruptly while leaned over, the rear tire slides, then regains traction when the bike straightens.
• Power slide recovery: The rear tire breaks loose under acceleration, then catches when the rider reduces throttle.
• Uneven road surfaces: The rear tire slides on a slippery patch, then hits dry pavement and grips suddenly.

Highside Injuries

Highside crashes produce the most severe injuries in single-vehicle motorcycle accidents because the rider is launched into the air and falls from height:

• Traumatic brain injury (TBI): The rider impacts the ground head-first or at an angle. Even with a helmet, the deceleration forces can cause concussion or more severe brain injury.
• Spinal injuries: The violent launch and landing can fracture vertebrae or damage the spinal cord.
• Severe fractures: Broken femurs, pelvic fractures, broken arms, and rib fractures are common.
• Internal organ damage: The impact forces can cause liver lacerations, splenic rupture, or lung contusions.
• Secondary motorcycle impact: In a highside, the motorcycle often follows the rider's trajectory and lands on top of them, causing additional crushing injuries.

When These Crashes Lead to Legal Claims

Many highside and lowside crashes are the result of rider error -- going too fast, braking too hard, or misjudging a curve. In those cases, there is typically no claim against another party.

However, when the traction loss was caused by someone else's negligence, there may be a viable claim. The key question is: what caused the loss of traction?

Road Defects (Government Liability)

If a road defect caused the traction loss, you may have a claim against NCDOT or the local municipality responsible for road maintenance.

Common road defects that cause motorcycle crashes:

• Gravel, sand, or debris accumulation in curves
• Potholes or uneven pavement
• Oil or fluid spills that were not cleaned up
• Faded or missing road markings
• Inadequate curve signage or advisory speed postings

Claims against government entities in NC are governed by the NC Tort Claims Act. You must prove that the government entity knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to address it within a reasonable time. Prior complaints about the same hazard are critical evidence -- request maintenance records and complaint logs through public records requests.

Mechanical Failure (Product Liability)

If a defective motorcycle component caused the traction loss, you may have a product liability claim against the manufacturer.

Examples include:

• Tire defects: A manufacturing defect in the tire caused unexpected traction loss
• Brake system failure: A defective brake component caused the wheel to lock unexpectedly
• Throttle malfunction: The throttle stuck or surged, causing the rider to lose control
• Suspension failure: A defective shock absorber or fork seal failed, destabilizing the motorcycle

Product liability claims require expert analysis of the defective component. Preserve the motorcycle and all damaged parts -- do not allow them to be repaired or scrapped before an expert inspects them.

Another Driver's Negligence

If another vehicle caused the conditions that led to your crash, that driver may be liable:

• A truck spilled cargo or fluids on the road, creating a slippery surface
• A vehicle ahead kicked up debris that caused your traction loss
• Another driver's actions forced you to brake suddenly, leading to a lockup and highside

Contributory Negligence in Highside and Lowside Claims

NC's contributory negligence rule is the biggest obstacle in these cases. Even when someone else created the hazard, the defense will argue that the rider contributed to the crash through their own actions.

Common contributory negligence arguments:

• Excessive speed: Were you riding faster than conditions warranted?
• Following too closely: Did you have adequate time to see and react to the hazard?
• Inexperience: Were you riding a motorcycle beyond your skill level on a challenging road?
• Failure to react properly: Did you apply brakes incorrectly or fail to take evasive action?

Defeating these arguments requires strong evidence that you were riding responsibly. Dash cam or helmet cam footage, GPS data showing your speed, and witness testimony are all valuable.

Documenting a Highside or Lowside Crash

Proving what caused the traction loss is the most important task after these crashes. Here is what to document:

1. The road surface: Photograph the exact spot where you lost traction. Show the gravel, oil, pothole, or other hazard that caused the loss of grip.
2. Skid marks and slide marks: These tell the story of the crash -- where the bike lost traction, how far it slid, and where the rider ended up.
3. The motorcycle: Document the position of the bike, damage patterns, and tire condition. If mechanical failure is suspected, preserve the motorcycle for expert inspection.
4. Your gear: Road rash patterns on your gear can help reconstruct the crash and prove whether it was a lowside (sliding damage) or highside (impact damage).
5. Witness accounts: Other riders or drivers who saw the crash or the road hazard before the crash are valuable witnesses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a highside and lowside motorcycle crash?▾

A lowside crash occurs when the motorcycle's tires lose traction and the bike slides out from under the rider, typically to the inside of a turn. The rider slides along the road surface. A highside crash occurs when the rear tire loses traction, then suddenly regains grip, catapulting the rider over the handlebars or high side of the bike. Highsides are far more dangerous because the rider is launched into the air.

Which is more dangerous, a highside or lowside crash?▾

Highside crashes are significantly more dangerous. In a lowside, the rider slides along the ground, causing road rash and fractures but at relatively lower forces. In a highside, the rider is catapulted upward and forward, then falls from height onto the road surface. This produces much higher impact forces, leading to spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and severe fractures. Highsides also carry a greater risk of the motorcycle landing on the rider.

When does a lowside motorcycle crash lead to a legal claim in NC?▾

A lowside crash leads to a legal claim when someone else's negligence caused the traction loss. Common examples include road defects like gravel, sand, or potholes that were not addressed by NCDOT, oil or fluid spills from another vehicle, debris from an improperly secured load, or a mechanical defect in the motorcycle. If the crash was purely due to rider error, there is typically no claim against another party.

Can I file a claim against NCDOT for a road defect that caused my crash?▾

Potentially, but it is more difficult than a standard negligence claim. Government entities in NC are protected by sovereign immunity, and claims against NCDOT must be filed under the NC Tort Claims Act. You must prove NCDOT knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to address it. The Tort Claims Act also caps damages. Prior complaints about the same road defect are powerful evidence of notice.

Does contributory negligence apply to highside and lowside crashes in NC?▾

Yes. Even when another party is at fault -- such as NCDOT for a road defect or another driver for spilling fluid -- the insurance company or state will argue contributory negligence if the rider was speeding, riding too aggressively, or failed to react reasonably. In NC, any fault on your part can bar your entire claim, making it essential to document that you were riding responsibly at the time of the crash.