How Distracted Driving Increases the Risk of Motorcycle Accidents
Distracted driving has become one of the most dangerous behaviors on the road today, contributing to a significant rise in accidents. While distracted driving poses a risk to everyone on the road, motorcyclists face an elevated danger that can turn a routine ride into a life-altering event.
Unlike passengers in enclosed vehicles, motorcyclists lack the protective barriers of a car, which makes them more vulnerable to the reckless actions of distracted drivers. As the number of motorcycle riders continues to rise, it is important to understand how the careless behavior of car drivers can increase the risk of motorcycle accidents and put the lives of motorcyclists at risk.
What Counts as a Distraction?
A distraction is anything that diverts the driver’s attention from the primary task of driving. These distractions can be classified into three main categories:
- Visual distractions – These are activities that take your eyes off the road, such as checking your phone, reading a text, looking at a billboard, or glancing at a passenger. Even a quick glance can cause you to miss a critical moment, like a sudden stop or an approaching vehicle.
- Manual distractions – These are actions that take your hands off the wheel, like eating, drinking, adjusting the radio, or reaching for something in the car. Without both hands on the wheel, a driver has less control over the vehicle and can be slower to respond to sudden changes in traffic.
- Cognitive distractions – This can be anything that takes your mind off driving. This includes daydreaming, thinking about work or personal issues, or having an intense conversation with someone. Even though your hands may be on the wheel and your eyes on the road, mentally checking out can leave you slow to react to hazards.
The Dangers of Texting While Driving
Among all distractions, texting is quite possibly the most dangerous because it combines all three types: visual, manual, and cognitive. When a driver reads or sends a text, their attention is fully diverted for at least five seconds. At highway speeds, this is enough time to cover the length of a football field.
During these few seconds, a car could drift into another lane, miss an important traffic signal, or rear-end a vehicle that suddenly stops. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that texting while driving is six times more likely to cause an accident than driving under the influence of alcohol.
How Distracted Driving Can Lead to Motorcycle Accidents
Distracted driving is a significant factor in many traffic accidents, and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to its consequences. When car drivers divert their attention from the road, they might fail to notice motorcyclists, leading to potentially life-threatening collisions.
Here are some examples of distracted driving behaviors that can contribute to motorcycle accidents:
Texting and Using Mobile Phones
One of the most prevalent forms of distraction is reading or responding to texts while driving. A driver who is absorbed in their phone might overlook a motorcycle merging into their lane or fail to see a rider at an intersection. Even a quick glance at a message can result in devastating outcomes for motorcyclists.
Adjusting the Radio or GPS
Drivers often tend to take their eyes off the road to adjust the radio, change music playlists, or input directions into a GPS device. This distraction can prevent them from detecting nearby motorcycles, particularly in situations where split-second decisions are necessary, such as merging lanes or navigating turns.
Eating and Drinking
Consuming food or beverages while driving can significantly divert a driver’s attention. For instance, a driver attempting to take a sip of coffee or unwrap a sandwich might not notice a motorcyclist approaching from behind, leading to rear-end collisions or side-swipe accidents.
Engaging in Conversations
Whether it is a heated discussion with a passenger or a phone call, engaging in conversation can distract drivers from their surroundings. A driver focused on their conversation might misjudge the distance to an approaching motorcycle, causing a potentially severe collision.
Fiddling with In-Car Technology
Modern vehicles are equipped with advanced technology that often requires driver interaction, such as voice-activated systems or touch screen controls. Drivers who become preoccupied with these systems might fail to scan their surroundings adequately, putting motorcyclists at risk.
Looking Away for Other Reasons
Simple distractions like looking at a billboard, adjusting a rearview mirror, or even daydreaming, can have serious consequences. A driver who glances away for just a moment might miss seeing a motorcycle in their blind spot, leading to a dangerous lane change or turn.
Why Motorcyclists Are at Risk of Sustaining Serious Injuries in Accidents
Motorcyclists face unique risks on the road, making them particularly vulnerable to serious injuries and fatalities in collisions with cars. Several factors contribute to the heightened danger that motorcyclists encounter, even in seemingly minor accidents:
- Lack of Protective Barriers: Unlike occupants of cars, motorcyclists do not have the benefit of seat belts, airbags, or the protective frame of a vehicle. This absence of physical protection means that when a collision occurs, motorcyclists are exposed to direct impacts, increasing the likelihood of severe injuries.
- Increased Impact Forces: When a motorcycle collides with a car, the force of the impact can be devastating. Motorcycles are smaller and lighter than cars, making them more susceptible to being thrown off balance or crushed in an accident. Even low-speed collisions can result in serious harm, such as fractures, road rash, and head injuries.
- Limited Visibility: Motorcycles are less visible on the road compared to larger vehicles. Their smaller size can make it difficult for car drivers to see them, especially in situations where visibility is compromised, such as during lane changes or at intersections. This lack of visibility increases the risk of collisions, often leaving motorcyclists with little time to react.
- Instability and Loss of Control: The design of a motorcycle inherently makes it less stable than a car, particularly during sudden maneuvers. In the event of a collision or near miss, the rider might lose control of their motorcycle, leading to serious accidents.
- Increased Risk of Ejection: In a collision, motorcyclists are at a high risk of being thrown from their bikes. Ejection can lead to traumatic injuries, including head trauma, spinal cord injuries, and internal injuries. The force of landing on the pavement or being struck by another vehicle can exacerbate these injuries.
- Vulnerability to Secondary Collisions: After an initial impact, motorcyclists might be at risk of secondary collisions, where they could be struck by other vehicles on the road. This risk is particularly high in busy traffic scenarios where quick reactions are crucial. A motorcyclist already down after an initial impact might not have the time or ability to move out of the way of approaching vehicles.
- Road Conditions and Obstacles: Motorcyclists are often more affected by road conditions such as potholes, gravel, or wet surfaces. Poor road conditions can lead to loss of control, especially in a collision situation. Unlike cars, which are designed to absorb these impacts, motorcycles can easily slide or flip, increasing the risk of injury.
Hold Distracted Drivers Accountable – Protect Your Right to Recover Compensation with Tanya Miller
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident caused by a distracted driver, you deserve justice. The reckless actions of drivers who engage in texting, phone calls, or other distractions can lead to devastating consequences for motorcyclists. At the law office of Tanya Miller, we understand the unique challenges that come with motorcycle accident cases and are committed to fighting for your rights.
Call our law firm today at 855-44MILLER or use our online contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our seasoned Georgia motorcycle accident lawyers.
