How Distracted Driving Puts Motorcyclists at Risk in Florida

Distracted driving has been a major safety concern for years, yet many drivers continue to ignore the risks. Cell phone use, texting, and other unsafe habits are especially dangerous for motorcycle riders, who don’t have the protection of a vehicle frame in a crash.

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), Florida sees over 9,000 motorcycle accidents each year, resulting in nearly 600 deaths. About 2,200 of those crashes happen in South Florida alone. These numbers show just how serious the problem is — and how badly distracted driving contributes to motorcycle injuries and fatalities.

Researchers have found three main ways distracted driving affects a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely. All three become even more dangerous when sharing the road with motorcycles.

1. Impaired Visibility

Motorcycles are already harder to see because they’re smaller and lower than other vehicles. When a driver looks down at a phone, their ability to notice a rider drops even more.

Motorists may:

• Drift into another lane

• Fail to yield the right of way

• Miss a rider in their blind spot

• Make sudden or unsafe turns

Government data shows that looking at your phone for just a few seconds at 55 mph is like driving an entire football field blindfolded. For motorcyclists, that moment of inattention can be deadly.

2. Reduced Manual Control

Texting or scrolling on a phone requires drivers to take at least one hand off the wheel. This violates one of the most basic rules of safe driving: always keep both hands on the wheel.

If a sudden hazard appears — such as a motorcyclist braking, changing lanes, or slowing for traffic — a distracted driver cannot regain control quickly enough to avoid a collision.

3. Slower Cognitive Response

Even hands-free phone use can pull a driver’s mind away from the road. When a driver is mentally distracted, their reaction time slows down. This delay is dangerous when driving near motorcycles, which are more sensitive to sudden stops, debris, and uneven road conditions.

Your Legal Rights After a Distracted Driving Motorcycle Accident

If a distracted driver caused your crash, you may be entitled to compensation. Motorcycle accidents are typically analyzed under negligence, and using a phone behind the wheel is a clear example of careless behavior. But distracted driving includes more than texting — it can also involve:

• Eating or drinking

• Reaching for items

• Adjusting music controls

• Using a GPS

• Interacting with passengers

An attorney can help you understand your rights, gather evidence of distracted driving, and pursue compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.

Distracted driving is dangerous for everyone, but it’s especially deadly for motorcycle riders. Even a moment of inattention can lead to a life-changing crash. If a distracted driver injured you or someone you love, you don’t have to navigate the legal process alone — help is available to protect your rights and pursue justice.

For more information, contact our office at Askew & Associates, P.A. by calling 954-546-2699.

Disclaimer: this blog post is not intended to be legal advice. We highly recommend speaking to an attorney if you have any legal concerns.