“I didn’t see the cyclist.” It is a familiar explanation after a collision. But what stopped the driver from seeing someone who was already on the road?
In this video from Marshall Injury Attorneys, the conversation focuses on driver attention: looking before turning, checking for cyclists alongside a vehicle and watching for people crossing a driveway. It also covers bike cameras, distracted driving and the equipment riders use to stay aware of approaching traffic.
How turning vehicles put cyclists at risk
The discussion highlights two common collision scenarios: the left hook and the right hook.
A left-hook collision can happen when an oncoming driver turns left across a cyclist’s path. The driver may overlook the cyclist or misjudge the time available to complete the turn.
A right-hook collision can happen when a vehicle turns right across the path of a cyclist travelling in the same direction. A driver may pass a cyclist and then turn without checking whether the rider is still alongside the vehicle or has caught up.
A driver needs to check the space they are about to enter before moving into it.
Driveways require a check in both directions
Another scenario involves a driver pulling out of a driveway while looking only towards approaching vehicle traffic.
A cyclist or pedestrian may be approaching from the other direction. Looking one way and then moving forward can leave the driver unaware of someone directly in the vehicle’s path.
The speakers describe cases in which the driver reported not seeing the cyclist before the impact. Understanding what happened requires looking at the circumstances and available evidence, rather than relying on that explanation alone.
Phone distraction takes attention away from the road
The conversation also addresses drivers looking down at their phones.
For a cyclist, a vehicle drifting or weaving can be an unsettling warning sign. The speakers discuss how phone distraction has featured in cases they have handled and why riders remain concerned about drivers who are not watching the road.
A moment of inattention can matter when a driver is approaching a cyclist, turning or leaving a driveway.
How a bike camera can help explain a crash
One practical takeaway from the video is the potential value of a bike camera.
Footage may help show the positions of the cyclist and vehicle, the movements leading up to a collision and what happened at the point of impact. The speakers describe occasions when a recording helped resolve competing accounts of a crash.
A camera cannot prevent every collision, but it may preserve details that would otherwise be difficult to establish.
Mirrors, radar and awareness of approaching traffic
The speakers discuss mirrors and rear-facing radar as tools for monitoring traffic approaching from behind.
They also explore why being struck from behind can occupy a rider’s thoughts, even while turning vehicles and other hazards ahead demand attention.
These tools can support awareness. Riders still need to watch for changes in traffic, driveways and vehicles turning across their path.
Why uninsured motorist coverage comes up in the discussion
The video ends with a brief conversation about uninsured motorist coverage and why cyclists should review their auto insurance.
Whether a policy provides coverage in a particular bicycle collision depends on the policy terms and circumstances. Reviewing your coverage with your insurer can help you understand what protection you have before you need it.
Questions after a bicycle accident?
If you have been injured in a collision involving a motor vehicle, Marshall Injury Attorneys can review what happened and discuss your options.
Learn more about bicycle accident injuries or contact Marshall Injury Attorneys to request a free case review.
This article accompanies the video and provides general information, not legal advice. Every case depends on its specific facts.
