Distracted driving continues to be a serious safety issue on Indiana’s roadways – especially for vulnerable travelers like motorcycle riders. Even when a rider is cautious and follows the rules of the road, another driver’s momentary distraction can be enough to cause a devastating crash.
Understanding how widespread distracted driving is, the laws Indiana has enacted to combat it, and how it impacts motorcycle riders can help you stay safer – and protect your rights if the unthinkable happens.
What Is Distracted Driving?
According to the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving includes any activity that diverts a driver’s attention from the primary task of driving. This encompasses:
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Texting or reading messages
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Talking on the phone
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Eating or drinking
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Adjusting music, navigation, or vehicle controls
All of these behaviors take a driver’s visual, manual, or cognitive attention off the task of driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Indiana law reflects this concern. In 2020 the state passed a hands‑free law, which prohibits drivers from holding or using a mobile device while driving — except in emergencies — in an effort to reduce distracted driving collisions.
Distracted Driving: The Numbers That Matter
While official Indiana state crash reports don’t break out distraction statistics by motorcyclist specifically, statewide data shows the overall scale of the problem.
Indiana Traffic Crashes
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In 2024, distracted driving and speeding together were implicated in more than 17,000 crashes across Indiana, resulting in 230 deaths. Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office+1
This statewide figure includes all vehicle types – passenger cars, trucks, and motorcycles – and underscores how distraction contributes to serious and fatal crashes on Hoosier roads.
National Context
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In 2023, 3,275 people were killed in crashes involving distracted drivers in the U.S. and an estimated 324,819 people were injured. NHTSA
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Distracted driving was reported as a contributing factor in about 8% of fatal crashes and about 13% of injury crashes nationwide in 2023. CrashStats
While national figures don’t translate directly into Indiana numbers, they help show that distracted driving is a major contributor to fatalities and injuries nationwide, and likely also plays a similar role in serious motorcycle crashes here at home.
Why Motorcycle Riders Are Disproportionately Impacted
Motorcycles are inherently less visible than cars and trucks. Even a brief distraction – shifting eyes for a split second – can mean a driver fails to see a rider entirely until it’s too late.
Unique Risks to Riders
1. Smaller Profile:
Motorcycles are narrower and harder to see, especially in a distracted driver’s peripheral vision.
2. No Protective Cage:
Unlike in a vehicle, a rider has no metal frame, airbags, or seatbelt to absorb impact — meaning even low‑speed collisions can result in serious injuries.
3. Misjudgment at Intersections:
Many distracted driving collisions occur at intersections when a driver’s focus drifts. Riders are especially vulnerable at intersections because they may be mistaken for distant vehicles.
Taken together, these factors help explain why distracted drivers pose such a dire risk to motorcycle riders – even when riders do everything right.
Indiana’s Distracted Driving Laws
Indiana’s hands‑free law makes it illegal for drivers to physically hold and operate a mobile device while driving unless they are making an emergency call.
Violating this law is a Class C infraction that can result in:
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Fines up to $500
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Points on a driver’s license
Law enforcement across the state, including the Indiana State Police, actively enforces this law alongside campaigns against speeding and aggressive driving. WRTV Indianapolis
Preventive Tips for Motorcycle Riders
While riders cannot control another driver’s behavior, they can adopt habits that improve their visibility and safety:
✔ Wear bright, reflective gear
More visible riders are easier for distracted drivers to spot.
✔ Use turn signals consistently
These help communicate your presence and intentions.
✔ Ride defensively
Assume other drivers may not see you and leave extra space.
✔ Avoid riding in blind spots
Position yourself where other drivers can easily see you.
✔ Take a safety course
Even experienced riders benefit from refreshed defensive riding skills.
These habits don’t prevent distracted driving, but they help reduce the risk of a collision when others fail to pay attention.
After a Crash: What Riders Should Know
If a distracted driver hits you or your motorcycle:
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Get immediate medical attention.
Injuries may not be apparent right away. -
Call law enforcement.
Police can document potential distracted behavior (like phone use) in the report. -
Collect evidence.
Photos, witness statements, and medical records are crucial. -
Avoid recorded statements to insurance companies without legal advice.
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Speak with a qualified personal injury attorney experienced in motorcycle crashes.
Having an attorney can help ensure distracted driving is properly documented and that you pursue all compensation available for your injuries and losses.
See our list of resources for motorcyclists injured in Marion County crashes.
How We Can Help
At Ladendorf Fregiato & Bigler, we understand how distracted drivers injure motorcycle riders. We help Indiana riders recover compensation for:
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Medical bills
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Lost wages
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Pain and suffering
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Motorcycle damage
Whether your case involves negotiating with insurance companies or pursuing litigation, our team stands up for riders who’ve been harmed by negligent drivers.
🛵 Injured by a distracted driver?
Call 317-597-5887 or send us a message to discuss your case and learn how we can help protect your rights.