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Distracted Drivers and the Risk to Motorcyclists

A recent study from the American Automobile Association Foundation for Traffic Safety showed that distracted drivers cause about 16% of highway deaths. If you like to ride a motorcycle, then you are more likely to suffer injuries from a distracted driver. So be careful when you drive and always practice smart defensive driving.

Distracted Drivers

In driver safety courses, new drivers learn to always pay close attention to their surroundings. Unfortunately, even experienced drivers may become careless when they get behind the wheel of a car. Drivers can become easily distracted and crash into other vehicles as a result.

When new drivers take driver safety courses, they learn to always pay attention and be aware of their surroundings. Unfortunately, even experienced drivers may become careless when driving. Drivers often get distracted by things on either side of them in traffic which puts themselves as well as others at risk for an accident

The following are examples of driver distractions:

  • Text messages while driving
  • Talking on a cell phone (unless it is hands-free, this is illegal in the state of NY)
  • Speaking on phones using hands-free calling options
  • Smoking
  • Drinking or eating
  • Reaching for or recovering dropped objects in the car

According to a recent National Safety Council study, 27% of crashes in America are caused by drivers texting or talking on their phones. Even those who use hands-free devices can still pose risks when they’re not paying attention.

Vulnerable Motorcyclists

When distracted drivers crash their cars, they are usually able to walk away with relatively minor injuries thanks to safety features such as seat belts and airbags. Seat belts hold them in place while the airbag should stop them from smashing into steering wheels or windshields when accidents happen. Although car accidents seriously injure thousands of persons, thousands also walk away from their accidents. A motorcyclist has no such protections in an accident and typically suffers much more serious collision injuries.

You see a lot of distracted drivers on any given day on local roads such as the Major Deegan Exy, Bruckner Blvd, Coney Island Avenue, or Ditmars Boulevard. What can you do to reduce the risk of being hit by a reckless or distracted driver?

Protect Yourself From Being Hit by a Careless Driver

Distracted drivers are a huge threat to motorcyclists. You can’t stop them from being distracted, but you can start taking precautions that will reduce your risk of death or severe injury in the event of an accident. Follow these safety tips:

  • Wear a DOT-approved helmet. Wearing a helmet has been shown to reduce fatalities by about 40 percent, plus they are very effective at reducing serious injuries such as traumatic brain injury.
  • Enroll in an advanced motorcycle safety driving course. Even if you’ve been riding for years, an experienced rider can benefit from courses that improve high-speed manoeuvering, avoidance techniques, and emergency braking.
  • Slow down when you come to an intersection. Many accidents take place at intersections. Parked cars, shrubbery, and overhanging branches can reduce visibility. Distracted drivers can easily run red lights and crash into you. Double-check for oncoming traffic before pulling out.
  • Don’t drink and drive. Alcohol can slow down your reflexes, making it difficult to avoid a distracted driver on the road. Even if you’re not legally drunk, you might still cause yourself a serious injury.

Motorcycle accident victims deserve compensation when injured by distracted drivers. At the Law Offices of Stuart M. Kerner P.C., we help motorcycle accident victims hold at-fault drivers accountable. Call us today for a free consultation with one of our motorcycle lawyers. We provide free no-obligation consultations. If we agree to take your case, you don’t need to pay us anything unless we win you and your family the compensation you deserve.

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