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Cell Phone Use & Rear End Accidents – A Special Problem for Motorcycle Riders

Phil Blackman-Pennsylvania New Jersey Personal Injury LawyerPublished on behalf of Philip Blackman, an experienced personal injury lawyer who has devoted his entire career to helping individuals and families who have been injured due to medical malpractice, car accidents, fall accidents and more. FREE Consultations: 215.925.4451

Pennsylvania allows drivers to use cell phones to make calls, but not to text. However, New Jersey and Delaware have banned any cell phone use when driving. Drivers in NJ and DE are not allowed to use, call or otherwise text on their cell phones.

Rear end accidents are one of the most common types of accidents, and this is also true for motorcycle accidents. Many motorcycle accidents are caused by rear-end collisions. Drivers who cause rear end accidents are often guilty of following too closely, not paying attention, speeding, etc.

In addition, drivers often fail to see motorcycles due to the fact that motorcycles are much smaller and less common than regular sized cars and trucks. These factors combined lead to many motorcycle rear end accidents. In times of low visibility such as at night, during inclement weather, and during rush hour, rear end car accidents are especially likely to occur.

Cell Phone Use & Motorcycle Accidents

Cell phone use exacerbates these issues. When a driver is distracted by a cell phone, whether it’s dialing a phone number or talking on the phone, they are much more likely to cause all types of car accidents. Rear end accidents are no exception. Again, the relative size of motorcycles compared to passenger cars and trucks means that drivers do not see motorcycles well. A driver’s cell phone use certainly compounds this problem.

Last month, a motorcycle rider was killed after his motorcycle was rear ended by a 24 year old woman who was texting on her cell phone. She was subsequently arrested for second degree manslaughter. *Source: http://www.rep-am.com, “Woman faces manslaughter charges in Wolcott motorcycle crash death”

Motorcycle riders who are struck from behind are often seriously injured. As a result of rear end accidents, riders are often thrown from their bikes or otherwise come into contact with the road or other cars. These types of injuries tend to cause:

  • head injuries,
  • fractured bones,
  • spine injuries,
  • shoulder/knee injuries, and
  • serious road rash.

Cell phone use is especially dangerous for motorcycle riders. All cell phone use when driving should be banned in Pennsylvania. Especially considering that Pennsylvania’s motorcycle helmet law is a partial law (i.e., only certain riders are required to wear helmets), cell phone use while driving is a very serious risk for all riders.

Related:

Pennsylvania Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

The lawyers at Schwartz & Blackman represent those injured in car and motorcycle accidents in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Watch this video review from an owner of a Philadelphia motorcycle shop.

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*This website does not provide legal advice. Every case is unique and it is important to get a qualified, expert legal opinion prior to making any decisions about your case. See the full disclaimer at the bottom of this page.

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