No win, no fee compensation and inattentional blindness' accidents
There have been several in-depth academic studies indicating that inattentional blindness' is a significant factor in causing motorcycle accidents. Inattentional blindness is a phenomenon in other road users where for various reasons, and usually coming out of a junction, they might not see a motorcycle even though it is clearly in the driver's line of vision. This type of accident should usually result in a rider being able to successfully make a no win, no fee compensation claim.
Causes of inattentional blindness
The phenomenon of inattentional blindness was first reported by the researchers Mack and Rock in 1998. Their research concluded that a driver may be less able to notice a motorbike if it is directly in their line of vision than if it is observed in the peripheral vision.
Because of their small size, motorcycles occupy only a small area in the centre of the vision, making a inattentional blindness motorbike accidents more prevalent than road accidents involving other types of vehicles. This theory was give credence in a study by Brown in 2002, which stated that the size, design, speed and positioning of a motorcycle make it difficult for other drivers to perceive them.
It is obvious that all road users need to train themselves to look out for motorbikes. Neglecting this responsibility can have very serious consequences and may eventually result in no win, no fee compensation claims.
Who is likely to suffer from inattentional blindness?
The research on this question offers some surprising conclusions. Hole and Langham found that the more experienced a driver is, the more likely he or she is to cause a motorcycle accident through inattentional blindness.
This is because more experienced drivers develop stronger habits based on their past experience. This means their brains work in a predictive way and, consequently, they sometimes rely on their expectations rather than their observations. Unfortunately, this cognitive habituation has the effect of sometimes creating situations where motorcyclists incur serious personal injuries.
Alex Boxall, spokesperson with YouClaim, comments, "As counter-intuitive as these findings might seem, I think they reflect the reality many no win, no fee solicitors deal with. It might explain why some solicitors see a disproportionately high number of motorcycle accident claims made against older and more experienced drivers who have otherwise exemplary driving records."
A study by Isler et al. (1997) offered another, less sensational, reason for the surprisingly high number of older drivers who cause motorbike accidents. This study suggested that natural deteriorations in eyesight coupled with reduced mobility of the head in older drivers made it more difficult for them to perceive smaller vehicles such as motorcycles.
This provides another reason why older drivers have a higher probability of being the at-fault party in a motorcycle accident for which they might later face a compensation claim.
Making a no win, no fee claim for motorcycle accident injuries
If you have suffered personal injuries in an accident for which you were not at-fault, you may be able to claim compensation.
YouClaim's panel includes a number of personal injury solicitors who are among the UK's leading experts in resolving motorcycle accident claims.
Making a no win, no fee compensation claim with us is a completely cost-free business and we guarantee you that, win or lose, you will never have to pay anyone a penny in costs or fees.
We also guarantee that, in the event of your claim's success, we will not take a cut, meaning you get to keep 100% of all compensation awarded you.
To begin your no win, no fee motorcycle accident claim today simply call us on 0800 10 757 95. Alternatively, you can talk to someone on e-chat, request a call back or fill out an online claim form.
