There are many reasons that car-motorcycle collisions occur. Sometimes, either the motorcyclist or the driver had too much to drink. Other times, distraction or excess speed can lead to preventable collisions.
Many motorcycle collisions occur at intersections. Motorists generally know that they need to slow down and check their surroundings carefully when approaching an intersection. Still, the drivers who cause these crashes may insist that they couldn’t see the motorcycle.
Motorcycles may be smaller than cars and other vehicles, but they are still relatively large when compared to pedestrians or even bicycles. They are also loud and generally include lights and reflectors that draw visual attention. How do drivers fail to notice motorcycles at intersections?
Drivers don’t always look for smaller vehicles
Safety advocates concerned about motorcycle collisions often advise drivers to watch for motorcycles or look twice before turning at an intersection. Science actually validates this approach as one of the most effective options for preventing motorcycle collisions.
Drivers have so much incoming visual information in traffic that it is hard for them to focus on each detail. The brain prioritizes details that it deems safety-critical. Smaller vehicles generally pose less of a threat than immovable objects and large vehicles. If drivers make a point of looking for motorcycles, then they may notice them. Otherwise, they may have a mediocre excuse after they cause a collision.
Holding unsafe drivers responsible for causing preventable motorcycle crashes can help riders cover their medical expenses, replace their damaged motorcycles and even recoup the wages they can’t earn while they heal. Personal injury litigation is sometimes necessary after a major motorcycle crash — particularly when drivers don’t have sufficient insurance to cover the expenses and other damages.