Motorcycle Accidents and Inattentive Drivers
According to numbers from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 5,172 motorcyclists were killed in crashes in 2017. While this is a 3 percent drop from the previous year, these numbers are still a reminder that motorcyclists must be careful on the road. Drivers around them must also be careful, but sadly this is not always the case.
Many motorcyclist in Daytona Beach and Palm Coast, FL have been struck by inattentive or negligent drivers. A motorcycle accident attorney can help with these kinds of crashes. The lawyers of Chanfrau & Chanfrau would like to consider the dangers of driver distraction and inattentiveness for motorcyclists.
Losing Track of a Motorcyclist Nearby
Many people in cars or truck sometimes zone-out behind the wheel, which means dangers for all other motorists around them. This goes extra for motorcyclists given how vulnerable to catastrophic injury they are.
There are many reasons why a motorist may not have their attention on the road and nearby motorists. Some of the most common issues of inattention are listed below.
Failure to Check Blind Spots
Blind spots are typically behind and to the sides of vehicles. The larger the vehicle, the bigger the blind spot. If a motorist fails to check their blind spot, crashes are likely to happen. This is especially true of motorcycle crashes since motorcyclists often get lost in the blind spots of vehicles.
Driver Distraction
Driver distraction is another serious cause of inattention on the road. The NHTSA estimated that 9 percent of fatal auto crashes in 2016 were caused by distraction. There are three classifications of driver distraction according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Manual Distraction - When a driver’s hand or both hands are not on the wheel
- Visual Distraction - When a driver’s eyes are not on the road
- Cognitive Distraction - When a driver is not thinking about the road and adjacent vehicles
Multiple types of distraction may be combined, resulting in extremely hazardous driving situations for anyone on the road.
Cellphone Use Behind the Wheel
Texting while driving is by far the most dangerous form of driver inattention. This takes the hands and eyes off the road for seconds at a time. For perspective, a car can travel the length of a football field in just five seconds. Reading a text could mean hitting a motorcyclist hundreds of feet away.
Even if you are just making a call or taking a call, the inattention and distraction can prove dangerous. This is why hands-free sets are available and encouraged for driving.
Failure to Observe Traffic Signs and Signals
Inattention doesn’t just mean failure to notice a motorcyclist. It could also take the form of a failure to notice traffic signs and signals. This could lead to speeding on a slower stretch of the road, running through an intersection, or driving the wrong way down a street. All of this increases the risk of serious collisions with motorcyclists and other motor vehicles.
Learn More About Motorcycle Crash Lawsuits
For more information about motorcycle crash lawsuits and what your legal options are following a collision, contact our skilled motorcycle accident lawyers. The law firm of Chanfrau & Chanfrau can be reached in Daytona Beach at (386) 258-7313 and in Palm Coast at (386) 439-7760.