While it may be obvious that cars and trucks share the road with motorcycles, why do so many motor vehicle drivers fail to see them? Accidents involving motorcycles happen every day, and many times the first thing a driver says is that they never even saw the motorcycle before the collision. As a result, both medical and legal issues occur, creating a confusing array of back-and-forth accusations that are stressful for all parties involved.
If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit to be adequately compensated for your medical expenses and property losses. Distracted driving, including daydreaming while driving, is often at the heart of these crashes, which can also lead to a phenomenon called inattentional blindness. A personal injury law firm with experience in motorcycle accidents understands these causes and knows how to review your case and provide the representation you need and deserve after being struck by a driver while riding your motorcycle.
What Is Inattentional Blindness?
According to scientific studies, the claim of not seeing a motorcyclist in plain sight is attributed to something called inattentional blindness. In essence, inattentional blindness is a driver’s failure to notice an unexpected object in plain sight. This is separate from blind spots and is a characteristic of the brain rather than actual blindness.
The human brain processes enormous amounts of information every moment, requiring it to let some things fall lower on its priority list. Since driving requires several simultaneous tasks, the brain determines the most important ones to focus on and filters out the rest. Too often, motorcyclists are filtered out by the brain, and so collisions happen. When this occurs, it is referred to as looked-but-failed-to-see (LBFTS) and is a major cause of motorcycle accidents.
Even otherwise safe vehicle drivers can miss motorcyclists near them if they aren’t actively looking for them. You can be out riding on the clearest day with little traffic, and a car might still pull out in front of you. It may even appear that the driver of the car was looking directly at you before it happened.
Drivers expect to see other cars or trucks on the road along with them but often fail to process motorcycles. Finding ways to make yourself more visible can help.
How Weather and Environmental Conditions Affect Motorcyclists’ Visibility
Inclement weather, time of day, headlight condition and calibration, and even the design of the road you’re traveling on can also impact drivers’ ability to see you when you’re riding your motorcycle. As a motorcyclist, it’s important for you to be aware of how these factors can impact your visibility to others:
Inclement Weather Conditions
- Rain: Rain reduces drivers’ visibility by blurring their windshields and creating glare from oncoming headlights. Wet roads also reflect light, making it harder for drivers to spot you on your motorcycle.
- Fog: Fog significantly limits how far ahead drivers can see, making it difficult to notice smaller vehicles like motorcycles.
- Sun Glare: Bright sunlight, especially during sunrise or sunset, can temporarily blind drivers, reducing their ability to see you on your bike.
Poor Lighting
- Nighttime Driving: In low light or at night, motorcycles are harder for drivers to see because they’re smaller and may have fewer and dimmer lights than cars. Poor street lighting worsens this problem.
- Headlight Misalignment: Misaligned or dirty headlights on cars can reduce the effective illumination of the road, making it challenging for drivers to see motorcyclists.
- Glare from Other Vehicles: High beams or poorly adjusted headlights from other vehicles can create glare, temporarily blinding drivers and reducing their ability to spot and avoid riders.
Unsafe Road Design
- Curves and Hills: Sharp curves and steep hills can obstruct a driver’s view, making it harder for them to spot motorcyclists who are coming from the opposite direction or hidden behind terrain.
- Intersections: Poorly designed intersections with limited visibility or multiple lanes can make it harder for drivers to see motorcyclists.
- Obstructions: Trees, buildings, and large vehicles can block sightlines, causing drivers to miss motorcyclists approaching from different directions.
When riding, it’s important to always assume that drivers can’t see you, regardless of weather, lighting, or road conditions. Never take a chance or begin a maneuver that relies on the drivers in the vehicles near or approaching you to be aware of your presence and location on the road.
How Can You Make Yourself More Visible?
Understanding the phenomenon of inattentional blindness is essential for riders, as are measures you can take to become more visible out on the roadways. Here are a few suggestions:
- Promote additional training for drivers of all types of vehicles to learn to watch and train their brains to actually see and recognize when motorcycles are around them.
- Join in supporting public safety campaigns such as “Look Twice, Save A Life!” and “Motorcycles Are Everywhere!” Their goal is to educate drivers about the importance of being on the lookout while they drive. This repetitive message will help put motorcyclists on the brain’s radar, making them a priority going forward.
- Add reflectors to your motorcycle and constantly check your lights. Add additional lights to your bike’s front, rear, and sides, and always stay aware of your surroundings.
- Wear brighter colors or jackets with reflective tape meant to capture attention. If you can’t give up that black leather jacket, add color to your helmet and gloves.
- Be loud, whether with your muffler or by playing music. The more human senses you can alert, the safer you will be.
- Remain defensive in your driving; stay constantly aware of aggressive drivers and tailgaters.
- Realize that although drivers look directly at you, they may not “see” you in many instances, so be prepared to respond to their sudden movements.
These efforts are needed to encourage drivers to acknowledge the motorcyclists on the road with them. However, you can only do so much. Drivers themselves must be diligent in becoming and remaining aware throughout the day and night. When they’re not, and you’re injured as a result, consult with a skilled New Orleans motorcycle accident attorney to get the compensation you deserve.
Get Experienced Legal Help for Your Motorcycle Accident
After a crash in Louisiana, the experienced legal team at Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers will thoroughly review your case and confidently determine the best way to proceed based on your particular circumstances.
Contact our Louisiana motorcycle accident attorneys today for a free consultation.
Originally published May 10, 2021.
