“I didn’t see you” is hardly comforting when you’ve just been hurt in an accident. Distracted driving is a growing problem throughout the U.S. You can practice defensive driving against such drivers to help avoid becoming the next victim of a serious Maryland motorcycle accident.
Here are a few common signs of a potentially distracted driver who should be avoided:
Sudden Changes in Speed
A driver who can’t keep a consistent speed may have his or her attention on other things besides the speedometer and surrounding traffic.
Erratic Braking
Similarly, a driver who is frequently tapping on the brakes or braking at odd times is likely paying only partial attention to nearby traffic. The erratic tapping can be an attempt to overcompensate for a lack of attention.
Drifting Between Lanes
This is a particularly dangerous sign. If a driver is drifting between lanes, then he or she is likely drunk, sleepy, or distracted. Any of these scenarios can greatly increase the chance of a serious Maryland motorcycle accident.
Failing to Use a Signal
Granted, many people simply choose not to use signals. However, a distracted driver is even more likely to skip this simple step because he or she already has one hand on a phone, GPS or other distraction.
Cell Phone Use
If you can see that the driver is on the phone, you might want to steer clear of them. Some drivers are capable of talking on the phone and paying attention to the road, but often the extra distraction detracts from the driver’s vision of nearby vehicles—including your motorcycle.
Close Calls
One close call may be the sign that another is coming. Again, steer clear of a driver who has already exhibited any signs of erratic or dangerous behavior. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
If you’ve been injured in a Maryland motorcycle wreck in which you believe the other driver may have been distracted, then you have a good chance of recouping damages for your injuries. To see how we can help you, call Nickelsporn and Lundin at 800-875-9700 today.
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