Last week, a close call left your gas tank slightly crushed when a car ran you off the curb. The driver claimed he didn’t see you. Two days ago, after picking up your newly repaired bike from Far East Motors, a different car side swiped you as you were turning onto Selim—he swore that he looked and didn’t see anyone turning. Today, as you left work, yet another car almost barreled into you, screaming that you came out of nowhere.
Ok, it’s obvious that you’re not invisible, and your bike isn’t that small, so how is it possible that both these drivers didn’t see you?
Dangerous Locations and Situations Where Motorcycles May Not Be Seen
Motorcycles can be notoriously hard to see and track, due to their smaller size and faster maneuverability; in fact, in some cases it may even appear that a motorcycle suddenly vanished or was basically invisible from the start. As a result, the risk of motorcyclists getting hit or colliding with other vehicles is extremely high—since you can’t avoid what you can’t see. The following four locations are the most common paces where drivers lose sight of motorcycles, increasing the risk of a tragic collision.
- Intersections – This location can be dangerous for motorcycle visibility—especially for turning traffic—as it may be hard to judge how close a motorcycle is because of its size and how fast it may be going.
- Blind spots – If not often checked, blind spots, or the area between the back window and side mirror’s line of sight, can be extremely treacherous for any vehicle; however, since motorcycles are much smaller than regular vehicles, they have the potential of being in a blind spot for twice as long.
- Dark areas or night driving – Since motorcycles have only one headlight, not only may it be hard to see a bike approach, but it can be difficult to judge proximity, speed, and direction.
- Exiting driveways or parking lots – Generally, motorcyclists try to stay to the far sides of roads and driveways instead of the center; this allows them to stagger themselves while in groups as well as increase their maneuverability. However, by not being in the center of the lane and clearly visible, it is hard for glancing motorists to notice them when they decide to pull out.
All drivers, truckers, and motorcyclists alike, should always pay attention to their surroundings, but motorcyclists must pay extra attention and take extra precautions to be seen. Although, “I didn’t even know he was there” isn’t an acceptable excuse to collide into a biker, it’s unfortunately a common occurrence. Make sure you protect yourself and either avoid these “invisibility zones” or take the proper steps to be seen.
Have you recently been injured in a motorcycle accident where the other party claims he didn’t see you? Contact us today for a free consultation and more information about your rights. Call us today to learn more about how our experience can help you get the settlement you deserve.
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