Every time you set out onto the streets, you run the risk of being hit and injured by a driver. This is just as true whether you are on foot, a bicycle, a motorcycle or driving a four-wheeled vehicle yourself.
“I didn’t see you” may be offered up as an excuse, but it is typically not one that would excuse a driver who hits you from responsibility. Often, this statement is more than anything, an admission of guilt, even if the driver making it does not realize that.
If a driver says they did not see you, they may be telling the truth. What you need to look at, if you want to claim compensation, is why they did not see you.
They were distracted
Distraction is often behind it all. Most drivers fall prey to activities that distract them at least some of the time. That might be looking down at their phone to see who just sent a message, turning to talk to a passenger, finishing up a snack on the move or a host of other possibilities.
They were not looking for you
A cursory glance in the mirror is often all a driver will do before making a maneuver. It often takes more than that to spot someone approaching, especially if they are momentarily hidden from view behind another vehicle or a tree.
To complicate matters further, a driver’s brain may not be looking for other kinds of road users. While they think they are checking to see if anyone is coming, their brain is actually checking for cars and trucks. It is not checking for cyclists or motorcyclists. This is due to something known as inattentional blindness. Your brain cannot pay attention to everything at once, so it chooses to focus on certain things, blocking out others.
Not being seen on the roads can have devastating consequences. Legal guidance may help in your quest for compensation.