Injured by a Distracted Driver While Riding a Motorcycle?
Get Legal Help After a Distracted Driving Motorcycle Accident
A distracted driver can cause a devastating motorcycle accident in seconds. When a driver looks at a phone, sends a text, adjusts navigation, eats, talks to passengers, or takes their attention off the road, a motorcyclist can suffer serious and life-changing injuries.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident caused by a distracted driver, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, motorcycle damage, and long-term recovery needs.
A motorcycle accident lawyer can investigate the crash, gather evidence of distraction, deal with the insurance company, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
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Distracted Driving Is Dangerous for Motorcyclists
One Moment of Inattention Can Cause Serious Harm
Motorcyclists are more exposed than drivers inside cars and trucks. When a distracted driver fails to see a motorcycle, the rider may have little time to react and avoid a crash.
Distracted driving motorcycle accidents often happen because a driver is not watching the road, fails to check blind spots, drifts between lanes, runs a red light, follows too closely, or turns in front of a motorcycle.
Common Types of Driver Distraction
Texting While Driving
Texting is one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving because it takes the driver’s eyes, hands, and attention away from the road. A driver who is texting may not see a motorcyclist until it is too late.
Using a Phone or App
Drivers may become distracted by phone calls, social media, music apps, rideshare apps, maps, or messages. Even a brief glance at a screen can lead to a serious motorcycle crash.
Adjusting GPS or Vehicle Controls
A driver who looks down to adjust navigation, climate controls, radio settings, or dashboard features may drift into another lane or fail to notice traffic slowing ahead.
Eating, Drinking, or Reaching for Items
Drivers who eat, drink, reach for something, or search inside the vehicle may lose control or fail to see a motorcycle nearby.
Talking to Passengers
Conversation inside the vehicle can become a distraction when it causes the driver to look away from the road or stop paying attention to surrounding traffic.
How Distracted Drivers Cause Motorcycle Accidents
Left-Turn Accidents
A distracted driver may turn left in front of an oncoming motorcycle because they failed to see the rider or misjudged the motorcycle’s speed.
Rear-End Collisions
If a driver is looking at a phone or not paying attention, they may fail to stop in time and strike a motorcycle from behind.
Unsafe Lane Changes
Distracted drivers may change lanes without checking mirrors or blind spots, causing a sideswipe or forcing a rider off the road.
Intersection Crashes
A distracted driver may run a red light, roll through a stop sign, or fail to yield at an intersection, putting motorcyclists at serious risk.
Drifting Out of the Lane
A driver who looks away from the road may drift into another lane, onto the shoulder, or into the path of a motorcycle.
Common Injuries From Distracted Driving Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle Riders Can Suffer Severe Injuries
Because riders do not have the same protection as occupants of passenger vehicles, distracted driving motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment and long recovery periods.
Common injuries may include:
Concussions
Spinal cord injuries
Neck and back injuries
Broken bones
Road rash
Internal injuries
Shoulder injuries
Knee and leg injuries
Burn injuries
Facial injuries
Scarring or disfigurement
Permanent disability
Fatal injuries
How to Prove a Distracted Driver Caused Your Motorcycle Accident
Evidence Matters
Distracted driving can be difficult to prove without a careful investigation. A driver may deny using a phone or claim they were paying attention. That is why it is important to gather evidence quickly.
Evidence may include:
Police reports
Witness statements
Phone records
Dashcam footage
Traffic camera footage
Surveillance video from nearby businesses
Vehicle data
Photos of the crash scene
Skid marks and debris
Damage to the motorcycle and other vehicle
Statements made by the driver after the crash
What a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Do
Investigate the Distracted Driving Crash
A lawyer can investigate the accident, collect evidence, identify witnesses, review reports, and determine whether the other driver was distracted at the time of the crash.
Deal With the Insurance Company
Insurance companies may try to blame the rider, downplay injuries, or minimize the value of the claim. A lawyer can handle communication with the insurance company and protect you from unfair tactics.
Calculate the Full Value of Your Damages
Your claim may include medical expenses, future treatment, lost wages, reduced earning ability, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and motorcycle damage. A lawyer can help calculate the full impact of the accident.
Negotiate for Fair Compensation
A lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company and fight for a settlement that reflects your injuries, financial losses, and long-term needs.
Prepare for Court if Necessary
If the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer, your lawyer can prepare the case for litigation and advocate for your rights.
Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident Caused by a Distracted Driver
What Damages May Be Available?
If a distracted driver caused your motorcycle accident, you may be able to pursue compensation for the losses caused by the crash. The value of your case depends on your injuries, the evidence, available insurance coverage, and how the accident affects your life.
Compensation may include:
Emergency medical treatment
Hospital bills
Surgery
Medication
Physical therapy
Future medical care
Lost wages
Reduced earning ability
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Permanent injury or disability
Scarring or disfigurement
Motorcycle repair or replacement
Out-of-pocket expenses
What to Do After a Distracted Driving Motorcycle Accident
Call 911
Report the crash and ask for medical help if anyone is injured. A police report can help document the accident and may include important details about driver distraction.
Get Medical Attention
Even if you feel okay, get checked by a medical professional. Some injuries may not appear immediately, and medical records can help support your claim.
Take Photos and Videos
If you are able, photograph the crash scene, vehicle damage, motorcycle damage, road conditions, traffic signals, injuries, and anything that may show how the crash happened.
Look for Witnesses
Witnesses may have seen the driver looking at a phone, drifting, failing to stop, or acting distracted before the crash. Get names and contact information whenever possible.
Avoid Giving a Recorded Statement Too Soon
The insurance company may ask for a recorded statement. Be careful. Your words may be used to reduce or deny your claim.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
A lawyer can help preserve evidence, investigate distraction, and protect your rights before the insurance company tries to control the claim.
Do Not Let the Insurance Company Blame You
Distracted Drivers Often Claim They Did Not See the Motorcycle
After a motorcycle accident, a distracted driver may say they never saw the rider. But failing to see a motorcycle is not an excuse for careless driving. Drivers have a responsibility to watch the road and safely share it with motorcyclists.
If the insurance company tries to blame you, a lawyer can review the evidence and fight back against unfair fault arguments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue a distracted driver after a motorcycle accident?
You may be able to pursue a claim if a distracted driver caused your motorcycle accident. A lawyer can review the facts, identify available insurance coverage, and explain your legal options.
How can I prove the driver was distracted?
Evidence may include witness statements, phone records, dashcam footage, traffic camera video, police reports, vehicle data, and photos from the crash scene.
What if the driver denies being distracted?
A driver may deny distraction, but other evidence can help prove what happened. A lawyer can investigate the crash and look for signs of phone use or other distractions.
What injuries are common in distracted driving motorcycle accidents?
Common injuries include brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, road rash, internal injuries, neck and back injuries, scarring, and permanent disability.
Should I accept the insurance company’s first offer?
It is wise to be cautious before accepting any early offer. The first offer may not include future medical care, lost income, pain and suffering, or the full impact of your injuries.
What if the insurance company says I was partly at fault?
You may still have legal options. Fault rules vary by state, and insurance companies do not always make fair decisions. A lawyer can help challenge unfair blame.
How long do I have to file a claim?
Deadlines vary by state and by the type of claim. Speak with a lawyer as soon as possible so you do not miss an important deadline.
Talk to a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer After a Distracted Driving Crash
Start Your Free Case Review Today
If you were injured because a distracted driver caused a motorcycle accident, you deserve answers and strong legal support. A motorcycle accident lawyer can investigate the crash, deal with the insurance company, and pursue compensation for your injuries and losses.
