You may think you are easy to spot on your motorcycle as you drive westbound on Morgan Street in Rockford, but many automobile drivers would not agree. In fact, many drivers who cause a motorcycle accident say they never saw the bike. Why?
Motorcycles Are Easy to Miss
There are several reasons why drivers may overlook a motorcycle:
- Motorists are busy looking out for other cars—not motorcycles.
- Dark-colored motorcycles tend to blend into the background, making them difficult to see.
- Motorists tend to look for motorcycles during spring and summer but may not look for them during fall and winter.
- Motorcycles frequently move around within a lane to avoid potholes and debris, so they may seem to appear out of nowhere.
- Motorcycles have a much smaller profile than trucks, cars, or SUVs, so they are more difficult to spot.
- Motorcycles sometimes travel in a car’s blind spot.
- Motorcycles may seem farther away than they really are. It is difficult for automobile drivers to judge a motorcycle’s speed.
While all motorists have a responsibility to look out for motorcycles, it is the motorcyclist with the most to lose in a collision. After all, motorcyclists have only a helmet and their riding gear to protect them against an impact with a car, a nearby object, or the road. Therefore, to help prevent a crash, motorcyclists need to do everything possible to increase their visibility.
What have you done to make your bike more visible? Share your ideas with us on Facebook or by sending us an email today. If you have been involved in an accident on your motorcycle due to the negligence of another driver give us a call today for a free consultation to see if you have a case.