Motorcycle riders share the road with larger vehicles. They must follow the same traffic rules as other drivers. However, they have much more at risk should a collision occur. Most riders make safety a top priority because they know how dangerous crashes can be.
Sadly, riders have no control over who they encounter in traffic or how those people behave. Other drivers are a major source of risk for motorcycle riders, especially when drivers don’t expect to see motorcycles in traffic.
As the summer slowly starts to fade into Autumn and then winter, the risk of another driver causing a motorcycle crash could increase.
Drivers don’t expect to see motorcycles in cool weather
Most people associate motorcycles with summertime. Even the most avid rider may need to put their motorcycle into storage once temperatures reach freezing levels. That being said, some motorcycle riders enjoy two-wheeled transportation late into the fall.
They may need to adjust their behavior based on the risk of other drivers failing to notice them. Inattentional blindness is a safety concern for motorcycle riders year-round. Drivers who don’t actively look for motorcycles may fail to notice them in traffic.
During times of the year when people do not expect there to be motorcycles on public roads, the risk of a crash caused by intentional blindness may increase. Simply put, as temperatures drop, drivers are less likely to watch for motorcycles in traffic.
They could cause crashes that put motorcycle riders in the hospital or worse. Riders may need to adjust their habits in traffic to reflect the increased risk of other drivers overlooking them and then causing a motorcycle crash.
Drivers who don’t pay attention to their surroundings could very well be liable for any motorcycle collisions they cause. Seeking compensation by pursuing a lawsuit or insurance claim can help injured motorcycle riders cover their costs.