Distracted Drivers Are a Danger to Motorcycle Riders

Distracted driving is especially dangerous for motorcyclists because they don’t have the same protection as people in cars. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 3,275 people died in distracted driving crashes nationwide in 2023.

When a distracted driver hits a motorcycle, the results are often devastating since riders have no airbags, seatbelts, or metal frames to shield them. The fatality rate for motorcycle riders in 2023 was nearly 28 times higher than that of passenger car occupants. Distracted driving only increases the risk.

Why motorcyclists face greater danger from distracted drivers

Riders are smaller and harder to see than cars or trucks, so drivers can miss them even when paying attention. If a driver is texting, using navigation, or talking to a passenger, they have even less time to notice a motorcycle. Looking at a phone for just five seconds at 55 mph means driving the length of a football field without watching the road.

The problem compounds because motorcyclists must maintain balance on two wheels. Even if a collision doesn’t directly knock a rider from the bike, evasive maneuvers forced by a distracted driver can cause the rider to lose control. A swerve to avoid impact can send a motorcyclist into oncoming traffic, off the road, or into a side that results in serious road rash and broken bones.

Common distracted driving scenarios that endanger motorcyclists

Some driving situations are even more dangerous when a driver is distracted:

Changing lanes without checking mirrors

A distracted driver might not look for motorcycles in their blind spots, which can lead to a sideswipe and a crash for the rider.

Left turns at intersections

According to the NHTSA, over 40% of deadly two-vehicle crashes happen when another vehicle turns left as the motorcycle goes straight. A distracted driver may misjudge the motorcycle’s speed or not see it at all.

Rear-end crashes at stops

A driver who’s looking at their phone might not see that traffic has stopped and could hit a motorcyclist waiting at a light or stop sign, possibly trapping the rider between cars.

Not staying in the lane

Distracted drivers can drift across lanes, and a motorcyclist may suddenly find a car moving into their space without warning.

Distraction walking also threatens motorcyclists

Distraction isn’t just a problem for drivers. Pedestrians who are distracted by their phones may step into traffic without looking, forcing motorcyclists to make sudden maneuvers to avoid them. Both the pedestrian and the rider can get seriously hurt in these situations. Busy areas like Country Club Plaza, Westport, and downtown Kansas City have lots of foot traffic, which adds more risks for bikers.

Injuries motorcyclists suffer in distracted driving crashes

Because riders don’t have protective barriers, they can suffer serious injuries in crashes. Common injuries from distracted driving motorcycle crashes include:

• traumatic brain injuries (even with a helmet)
• spinal cord injuries that can cause paralysis, broken arms, legs, or pelvis, internal injuries
• severe road rash that may need skin grafts
• disfigurement
• scarring
• death

Proving a driver was distracted

Proving that a driver was distracted means collecting evidence quickly, before it disappears. Cell phone records may show whether a driver was using their phone at the time of the crash, but obtaining them usually requires prompt legal action, such as preservation letters and subpoenas, before records are lost or overwritten. Witnesses may report seeing the driver looking down or holding a phone.

Vehicle data recorders can show sudden braking, which may mean the driver didn’t see the danger until it was too late. Sometimes, surveillance cameras from nearby businesses or traffic lights capture events preceding the crash.

Compensation available to injured motorcycle riders

If a distracted driver injures a motorcyclist, the rider may be able to get compensation for:

• All medical costs, including emergency care, surgery, hospital stays, rehab, and any future treatment you might need.
• Lost wages while you recover and reduced ability to earn money in the future if your injuries cause lasting problems.
• Pain and suffering from your injuries and the emotional stress they cause.
• Loss of enjoyment of life if your injuries keep you from doing things you used to enjoy, like riding.
• The cost to repair or replace your motorcycle.
• Home changes you might need if your injuries cause a permanent disability.

Frequently asked questions

What if the distracted driver claims they did not see me?

Not seeing a biker doesn’t excuse a driver from being responsible. Drivers must watch for all vehicles on the road, including motorcycles. If a driver says they didn’t see you, it often means they weren’t paying enough attention, which actually helps your case. Missouri law requires drivers to keep a proper lookout.

Can I recover damages if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?

Missouri has a conditional helmet law, allowing certain riders over age 26 to ride without a helmet if specific insurance and training requirements are met. Kansas’ helmet law states that no person under 18 may operate or ride a motorcycle or motorized bicycle unless wearing a helmet. However, even if you weren’t wearing a helmet, you may still be able to recover compensation after an accident.

Missouri uses a pure comparative fault system and Kansas a modified fault system, so a jury will decide if not wearing a helmet made your injuries worse and may lower your compensation. For injuries not related to helmet use, like broken legs, not wearing a helmet shouldn’t affect your recovery.

How do I prove the driver was texting?

Your lawyer may be able to obtain the driver’s cell phone records to help show what they were doing at the time of the crash. Sometimes, the driver admits to using their phone at the scene or to the police. Witnesses might have seen the driver looking down before the crash. Dashboard cameras – either yours or from other cars nearby – may also have evidence. It’s important to act fast because phone records and video can be deleted over time.

What if I had to lay down my bike to avoid the distracted driver?

If a distracted driver made you take emergency action that led to your crash, that driver can still be held responsible, even if your bike never touched their car. The law looks at whether the driver’s carelessness was a major reason for your injuries. If you had to swerve or lay down your bike because of another driver’s actions, that can support proof that the other driver was negligent.

Riders deserve an attorney who understands

Insurance companies often treat motorcycle claims unfairly, assuming riders are always reckless. At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, our lead attorney, James Roswold, has been riding a bike for decades and knows the challenges bikers face from careless drivers.

We push back against these unfair ideas and work to get injured riders the compensation they deserve. If a distracted driver caused your motorcycle accident, contact us to set up a free case evaluation.

You can also get your free KC Biker Bible, which is full of important information for Missouri motorcyclists.