Getting into a motorcycle can be a life-changing incident, and not in a good way. These accidents can be a lot more fatal than car accidents, or any other vehicle for that matter. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes.
To add to that, the statistics are getting worse. Back in 1994, about 5.7% of all motor vehicle related fatalities were motorcycles. Now, that number has increased to a whopping 14%. That may not seem like a big enough number, but remember that it constitutes of all vehicles, including cars, trains, buses, subways and even planes.
So why is the number increasing so rapidly?
Distracted Driving and Motorcycle Accidents
The NHTSA claims that distracted driving accounts for roughly 10% of all fatal traffic crashes. However, there is a very good chance that the actual number is a lot higher than that.
What Is Distracted Driving?
According to the NHTSA, distracted driving is considered to be “any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving.” According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are three main types of distracted driving:
- Visual – you take your eyes off the road
- Manual – you take your hands off the wheel
- Cognitive – you take your mind off of operating the vehicle
Some of the ways that distracted driving can put the lives of motorcyclists and other drivers at risk include:
- Texting while driving
- Using a mobile phone
- Using a navigation system
- Adjusting a music player or radio
- Talking to other passengers
- Drinking and eating
- Adjusting climate control
- Grooming (fixing hair and makeup)
- Reaching for items in a vehicle
- Smoking
While all of these can be very fatal, texting while driving gets the most attention due to it combining all the three main types of distractions stated above, while also being the most common thing people end up doing while driving.
Why Does It Affect the Motorcycles the Most?
The funny thing is that it is rarely the case that a motorcycle rider is at at fault for distracted driving accidents. Of course, there are cases where it is indeed their own fault, but more than likely, the bigger vehicle that hit them would be in the wrong. The motorcycle rider also tends to bear the most damage in case of an accident, as they aren’t as protected as the car riders. And distracted driving may be the major reason why people tend to not see the bikes right in front of them.
In fact, car drivers tend to just not look at bikes. They may be too busy watching for other cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles. They are used to larger objects and vehicles, and motorcycles don’t fit that profile. Motorcyclists on the other hand, react to weather and road conditions differently than other vehicles, and drivers don’t expect this.
Motorcycle Accident Attorney | Attorney Javier Marcos
If you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident. Attorney Javier Marcos can help. Call our office 24 hrs for your free consultation at 713-999-4444. We go to you wherever you are. There is no payment unless we win the case. We all speak Spanish.
Español – Conducir distraido es causa principal de accidentes de motocicleta
Conducir Distraido es Causa principal de Accidentes de Motocicleta
