Defensive driving is essential for motorcyclists. They are always at the mercy of the drivers around them and need to understand that those drivers are going to make mistakes. Unfortunately, even if the motorcyclist is not at fault, they are far more likely to suffer serious injuries when accidents occur.
One of the biggest risks motorcyclists face is another vehicle turning left in front of them. According to many experts, this is the most common type of motorcycle crash. It’s also very difficult to avoid, as it happens quickly—and trying to swerve away may mean veering into oncoming traffic. Motorcyclists should be especially cautious when approaching vehicles waiting to turn left and should assume that those drivers may not have seen them at all.
Why do drivers make this mistake?
There are multiple reasons why drivers turn left in front of motorcycles. In some cases, they misjudge the motorcycle’s speed or distance, thinking it’s farther away than it really is. In other cases, they may be distracted by talking to passengers, checking their phone or simply not paying full attention to the road.
One particularly interesting phenomenon is known as inattentional blindness. This occurs when a driver looks directly at a motorcycle but still fails to recognize it. Their brain, not expecting to see a smaller vehicle like a motorcycle, may essentially “filter it out.” These drivers often say, after the fact, that they didn’t see the motorcycle, even though the rider clearly saw them looking in their direction.
These types of accidents can lead to devastating injuries, including spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries. Those who have been hurt need to know what legal steps they can take.