The Personal Blog Of
Boston Motorcycle Lawyer

The Black Nail Brigade Fights Against Distracted Drivers
March 17, 2010

We have all committed acts of distracted driving at one time or another. We have all talked on the phone, sent text messages, eaten food, entertained the kids, or even applied make-up while driving. Even though they may be common, these actions are stupid, dangerous, and potentially criminal.

Distracted driving also risks lives. As bikers, we tend to think about the impact of distracted motorists more than car drivers because we realize that even minor motorcycle accidents could have life changing implications.

This certainly was true for the Zaffke family. In May 2009, Lora Hunt killed motorcycle enthusiast Anita Zaffke in Lake Zurich, IL; who was driving while painting her fingernails. Zaffke was stopped at a red light and Hunt rear-ended her motorcycle at about 50 MPH.

By all accounts Zaffke was a pillar of her community, an excellent mother, and a safety-conscious biker. In May of 2006, Zaffke embarked on a motorcycle road trip she called her ‘epic journey’. Her 2 week, 5000 mile trip took her from the Chicago area to Vancouver, British Columbia and back. During this trip, she wrote in her journal, took photographs, and camped as a means to gain perspective on her life.

To honor his mother and to shed light on this problem, Zaffke’s son Greg created the Black Nail Brigade. This motorcycle safety organization is working hard to make sure that people in the greater Illinois area and across the United States are aware of the circumstances surrounding his mother’s death and the scourge of distracted drivers.

The case against Lora Hunt also brings to light some interesting legal considerations. There are arguments suggesting that while distracted driving is a terrible practice, it is not necessarily criminal. This argument will be center stage at Hunt’s trial for the death of Anita Zaffke scheduled for May 3, 2010; almost a year from the date of Zaffke’s death.

On Saturday, May 1 2010, the Black Nail Brigade is sponsoring an Epic Ride to commemorate Anita Zaffke’s life and to replicate her ride from 2006. If you cannot attend but would like to contribute to this cause, their website provides opportunities to donate or purchase apparel.

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident due to the negligence of another driver, contact motorcycle enthusiast and Andover personal injury lawyer, Tom Kiley.