When a motorcyclist is struck on a busy St. Paul street, the life-changing impact on the rider and their family is immediate. In the aftermath, the driver who caused the crash often offers a familiar excuse: “I just didn’t see the bike.” For those facing a difficult recovery or mourning a loved one, this statement feels like an unfair attempt to blame the motorcyclist for the driver’s failure to pay attention.
What is inattentional blindness?
This phenomenon is known as inattentional blindness, which occurs when a driver is physically looking at the road, but their brain fails to process an unexpected object. It can happen when a motorist scans the road but only looks for large cars or trucks while ignoring smaller profiles, like motorcyclists. However, a motorcyclist is a legal road user, not an “unexpected object” that can be filtered out.
When a driver fails to see a biker who is clearly in front of them, it can show a dangerous lack of care that puts every rider at risk.
Legal responsibility remains with the driver
Under Minnesota law, every motorist has a legal duty to maintain a proper lookout. This means they are required to see what is there to be seen. Saying “I didn’t see you” typically isn’t a strong defense; instead, it can be an admission that the driver wasn’t paying enough attention to their surroundings.
Negligence can create the conditions where a driver misses a motorcyclist who is clearly visible, including:
- Speeding through intersections, which reduces the time a driver has to scan for smaller vehicles
- Looking at their phones instead of focusing on the lane ahead
- Tailgating or failing to give motorcycles enough space
- Ignoring traffic signals and laws
These actions can mean that a driver was not focused on the task of safe driving, making it even more risky for motorcyclists sharing the road with them.
Holding negligent drivers accountable
We may not be able to eradicate the psychological quirks of the human brain, but we can hold negligent drivers accountable when they cause an avoidable accident. Too often, adjusters try to pin at least some of the blame on a rider’s speed, clothing or position. Minnesota fault rules can reduce compensation if a rider is found partly responsible, so evidence about what happened matters.
However, legal representation can help protect you from unfair claims, ensuring the focus stays on the driver’s failure to maintain a proper lookout.