Every year, there are tens of thousands of fatal road traffic collisions in the U.S. Some of these accidents occur due to speeding, drunk driving, reckless driving and distractions.
One phenomenon that contributes to a significant number of crashes alongside many of these common accident causes is inattentional blindness. What exactly does this mean? Essentially, inattentional blindness means that a driver fails to see something despite it being in their line of vision. The danger of this is that the driver may fail to stop before hitting the object or person that is in front of them.
For example, one of the most common responses from drivers involved in motorcycle or bicycle crashes is that they did not see the victims. This often occurs when bikes pull out of a car park and join the roadway or change lines in front of a vehicle. Sometimes, the narrowness of a bike or motorcycle plays a role in a driver’s inattentional blindness. However, it is also common for drivers to experience inattentional blindness due to their own poor choices.
Distractions
It’s possible to be distracted and miss something despite it being in your line of vision. For example, if someone is talking on the phone while driving, they may tune out of whatever is happening right in front of their eyes. This is one of the reasons why cell phone use is generally frowned upon by law enforcement.
If you have been injured in a crash that was caused by another driver’s inattentional blindness – possibly in addition to distracted, drunk or otherwise negligent behavior – you may be entitled to financial compensation. Your legal options will likely become clearer after seeking professional guidance.