Motorcyclists who have been involved in a car crash have probably heard this line before: “I didn’t see him.” The driver isn’t always lying and oftentimes, they truly believe it. However, that excuse doesn’t make the crash any less serious. It also doesn’t answer the bigger question of why this keeps happening on Arizona roads.
What “didn’t see” really means
When a driver says they didn’t see a motorcyclist, it usually points to a mix of habit and human error. While years of experience trains drivers to spot large cars, a motorcycle is smaller and can hide in a blind spot or mirror post. Also, Arizona’s bright sun and long, straight roads can also play tricks on the eyes, making a moving bike harder to judge in terms of speed and distance. None of this excuses the crash, but it helps explain why “I didn’t see them” is one of the most common phrases in police reports involving motorcycles.
Why drivers overlook motorcycles so easily
Part of the problem is simple math. Arizona has far more cars and trucks on the road than motorcycles, so drivers aren’t always looking for them out of habit. Left turns at intersections are especially dangerous, since a driver may glance quickly, see no car-sized object, and pull out anyway. Weather also plays a role. Arizona’s sunny, clear days mean more riders are out year-round, which raises the chances of these split-second mistakes happening again and again.
Moving forward after a crash
Injured parties must initiate legal proceedings within Arizona’s strict statutory deadlines: generally two years from the date of the crash for personal injury claims. Thus, it can help to talk with an attorney. They can help you understand your options and make sense of a confusing process, especially while you’re focused on healing. You don’t have to figure everything out on your own, and having someone in your corner can make a difficult time a little easier to manage.
