Every year, hundreds of riders are involved in life-altering collisions across Arizona. After many of these crashes, drivers often say, “I just didn’t see the motorcycle.” Is it carelessness or is it deeper than that?
Visual and psychological blind spots
While negligence certainly plays a role, human biology and cognitive processing are often at the heart of these crashes. Some common reasons drivers miss riders on the road include:
- Inattentional blindness: When drivers scan traffic, they unconsciously look for large silhouettes like cars and trucks. Because a motorcycle has a much smaller footprint, a driver can look directly at a rider and fail to consciously register their presence.
- Extreme sun and heat: Low-angle morning and afternoon sun creates intense windshield glare that easily hides narrow profiles. Rising thermal distortion can make distant motorcycles appear blurred or distorted.
- Speed and distance misjudgment: Lacking horizontal width, a motorcycle might make it more difficult for drivers to accurately gauge how fast it is approaching, which can contribute to intersection collisions.
These challenges are exactly why the “look twice, save a life” campaigns emphasize a second glance before turning or changing lanes. However, a driver’s cognitive oversight or visual limitation never excuses their failure to avoid a crash.
Your right to fair compensation
Every driver has a legal duty to keep a proper lookout for vehicles on the road. If a driver’s failure to pay attention resulted in your injury, you should not have to carry the financial burden alone. An experienced personal injury attorney could help you know your options and pursue the compensation your situation warrants.
