Are Motorcycle Riders More At-Risk?
With long highways and consistent temperatures, Florida is an ideal place for any motorcycle rider. However, it is also a tourist hotspot, having millions of visitors to the state each year. Having this many roadway users unfamiliar with the area can lead to more instances of distracted driving since looking at maps or checking directions on a cellular device can be distracting for even the most experienced driver.
As distracted driving continues to be a pervasive problem around the country, all motorists should understand the impacts of distractions on their driving and how it affects everyone on the road.
Two Things to Know
To better understand how much more susceptible motorcycle riders may be to fatal injuries in distracted driving accidents, it's important to acknowledge the risk that comes with being a rider. Here are two things to know:
1. One-Third of All Motorcycle Accidents Involve Multiple Vehicles
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about one-third of motorcycle crashes involve multiple vehicles. Passenger cars account for half of this statistic.
The National Conference of State Legislatures estimates that more than 800,000 drivers are texting and driving at any given time. This puts millions of drivers, including motorcyclists, at risk of being involved in a collision with a distracted driver.
2. Motorcycle Riders Are More Likely to Die in Crashes
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety acknowledges that riding a motorcycle comes with a significantly greater risk than driving other kinds of vehicles. The lack of built-in safety features and decreased stability when making sudden maneuvers make riders more vulnerable to injury from other drivers; so much so that motorcycle fatalities were 29 times greater than cars in 2019.
Unfortunately, the data on how many motorcycle crashes are caused by distracted driving is limited; however, it's easy to tell that these riders are much more likely to be the victim of a distracted driver than those in other vehicles.
Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
All roadway users have the right to be protected from reckless or negligent driving. If you or a loved one was injured in a motorcycle collision and are looking for legal representation, contact the team at Politis & Matovina, P.A.. Since 1993, our firm has been dedicated to compassionate advocacy and helping you achieve the most desired outcome.
Schedule a free consultation by calling (386) 333-6613.