Motorcyclists face a variety of risks each time they ride. A rider understands that he or she could encounter dangerous road conditions or weather conditions while they are riding. Some of these conditions could cause a motorcycle accident. Experienced riders understand these risks and are prepared for the risks when they ride. However, motorcyclists cannot control the dangerous driving behaviors of other drivers.
A very serious and dangerous driving behavior that causes thousands of motorcycle accidents each year is distracted driving. Distracted driving motorcycle accidents can cause severe injuries and deaths. When a distracted driver causes a motorcycle accident, that driver should be held accountable for his or her dangers driving behaviors.
The motorcycle accident attorneys of Pinder Plotkin LLC can help you file an injury claim to recover compensation for your damages. Call 410-661-9440 for a free consultation with a Parkville motorcycle accident attorney.
Distracted Drivers and Motorcycle Accidents
Unfortunately, a motor vehicle accident involving a car and a motorcycle is typically more harmful to the motorcycle rider than the driver of the vehicle. The driver in a car has the benefit of the car’s metal frame, airbags, and seatbelts to protect the driver in a car accident. However, a motorcyclist does not have the benefit of this protection. Riders in an accident are often thrown from their motorcycle or pinned underneath the motorcycle.
Drivers often claim they did not see the motorcyclist before the accident. While a motorcycle is a smaller vehicle, drivers who are alert and paying attention to the road ahead should see a motorcycle approaching. However, many drivers are distracted while driving.
A driver who takes his eyes off the road for even a few seconds can cause a motorcycle accident. The NHTSA estimates that it takes approximately five seconds to read a text. During that time, a vehicle traveling at 55 mph can go about the length of a football field. That is a great distance for a driver to travel without looking at the road. If a motorcyclist is in the driver’s path, a terrible accident may occur because the driver was distracted.
While texting and driving is one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving, many other distractions can cause a driver to collide with a motorcyclist. Common distractions that cause motorcycle accidents include:
- Adjusting the radio, air conditioner, or other vehicle controls
- Reaching for an object that has fallen into the floor or between the seats
- Eating and drinking
- Talking to other passengers or taking care of a child
- Looking at objects outside of the vehicle
- Using a cell phone or other electronic device
- Grooming or changing clothes
Any action that causes you to take your eyes off the road, your mind off driving, or your hands off the steering wheel is a potentially deadly accident.
Injuries in Distracted Driving Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists involved in distracted driving accidents often suffer severe injuries that are life-threatening. For riders who survive a motorcycle accident, their lives could be changed forever because of the injuries sustained in the crash. Common injuries in a motorcycle accident caused by distracted driving include:
- Complex fractures and broken bones
- Traumatic brain injury and other head injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Neck injuries
- Road rash, abrasions, scarring, and disfigurement
- Amputations
- Internal bleeding and damage to internal organs
- Death
Depending on the severity of the injury, a motorcyclist could incur substantial damages because of a motorcycle crash. When a distracted driver causes a motorcycle crash, that driver should be held liable for the damages caused by the accident.
Recovering Compensation for a Distracted Driving Motorcycle Accident
If a distracted driver injures you, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries. In some cases, a motorcyclist may suffer an injury that requires ongoing medical care and personal care. If so, the rider should also receive compensation for future damages.
An experienced Maryland motorcycle accident attorney can help you file a claim for all damages. Common damages included in a motorcycle accident claim include:
- Pain and suffering damages for the physical pain and emotional stress caused by the accident and injuries
- Loss of income, including future lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Medical expenses and personal care expenses, including the cost of ongoing and future medical care and personal care
- Out-of-pocket expenses, such as travel costs, medications, and medical supplies
- Permanent disabilities, scarring, and disfigurement
- Property damage
Before you provide a statement to the insurance adjuster or accept a settlement offer, you need to consult with a Maryland motorcycle accident attorney. An attorney can review your claim to determine a fair amount for your damages.
Call a Maryland Distracted Driving Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Let our attorneys help you hold a distracted driver accountable for his or her actions. Contact Pinder Plotkin, LLC for a free consultation and free case review by calling 410-661-9440.
