The Common Excuses Aren’t Any Good
Most motorists will say the same thing after being involved in a motorcycle wreck, “I just didn’t see them.”
It sounds innocent, as though it’s unavoidable. It’s as if the crash was just one of those things that happens on a busy road. The problem is, it’s not.
Motorcycles aren’t invisible. They’re smaller than other vehicles, but they’re not just something that pops up out of nowhere. They’re not ghosts. They’re not impossible to see. And that’s what leads into the biggest problem with motorcycle wrecks: drivers are let off the hook because they just didn’t see the biker. The Car Crash Captain explores this “excuse” and why Herbert Law Group, located in Richardson, Texas, isn’t buying it.
“I Didn’t See Them” Is the Driver’s Failure
Driving isn’t a passive act. When a driver receives their license, they agree to follow the Texas transportation code, which (in part) states they will maintain “proper lookout.” It doesn’t say, “Proper lookout, except for smaller vehicles, that oopsie, you might not see them.”
It means that you must:
- Ignore distractions (including phones, screens, passengers, and anything else that takes your mind or eyes off the road).
- Beware of blind spots.
- Don’t drive in a rushed manner.
- Don’t drive in a lazy manner.
- Be diligent or aware.
Suppose you’re driving and a child is playing in the street. You run the kid over. Would you go before the judge and say, “Oops, I didn’t see him!”? That would never hold up – nor should, “I guess I just didn’t see them” when it comes to motorcycle wrecks.
Motorcycle Are Ignored, Here’s Why
So why do so many drivers, “not see” the motorcycles?
In part, because we’ve been conditioned to look for larger vehicles instead of motorcycles. Motorcycles represent less than 4% of vehicles on the road, so we are naturally going to be watching for the majority of vehicles.
There’s also the fact that most people are really bad at judging speed and distance. Motorcycles, in part due to their size, seem like they’re farther away.
Left-turn crashes, where the motorist turns left, crossing the lane of traffic, and collides with a motorcycle, are the most common motorcycle wrecks. All because drivers aren’t looking for motorcycles, and even if they do see them, they believe they’re farther away.
Motorcycles are harder to see than other vehicles, but that doesn’t mean drivers don’t have to train themselves to watch for them.
How to Handle a Motorcycle Crash
Insurance companies love to lean heavily on the “I didn’t see them” narrative. Because it has this subtle shift of blame from the driver to the rider. It sparks that little bit of doubt that, “Maybe the motorcycle rider should have done something different, better, or more complete.” And without other evidence, it can get muddled.
This is why oy need an experienced motorcycle wreck lawyer on your side. One that understands how to argue that the rider did nothing wrong, they followed all safety procedures, had the safety and visibility equipment, and that it was indeed the other driver’s fault.
Herbert Law Group Finds Justice for Motorcycle Accident Victims
Because “I didn’t see them” is still a common excuse, and because the insurance companies continue to buy it, that’s exactly why you need Herbert Law Group. We serve the greater Dallas, Texas area, and we have helped a lot of motorcycle accident victims push back when the insurance company isn’t playing nicely.
Let’s come up with a plan on how we can help you receive justice after your wreck. First, we need to know what happened. Call our offices at 214-414-3808, or fill out the contact form on our site. Once we have our free initial consultation, we can determine what needs done to maximize your compensation.