When you suffer an injury in a motorcycle accident, your personal injury claim will encounter many obstacles. First, since motorcyclists do not have as much protection compared to drivers of motor vehicles, the injuries from crashes tend to be more severe—making the amount of money necessary to recover much larger. Second, the social stigma tends to view motorcyclists as daredevils and risk takers.
If your motorcycle accident case goes to trial, keep in mind that juries are sometimes biased against bikers. They may initially assume that the rider was at fault. The first step to combating biases is by being aware of the issue.
Common biases and misconceptions against bikers include the following:
- The belief that motorcyclists are thrill seekers.
- The idea that motorcyclists are reckless, constantly speeding, and always split lanes dangerously.
- The assumption that bikers do not understand the potential hazards involved in riding a motorcycle.
The key to thwarting jury bias is to educate jurors by dispelling myths against motorcyclists. Additionally, there are also various factors specific to motorcycles which a jury may not be aware of. For example, since motorcycles are small in size, they can greatly hinder their presence and visibility on the road. Furthermore, their size can distort other drivers’ perception of the speed a motorcycle is traveling and its distance from other cars.
Combating jury bias begins with choosing the right lawyer. An attorney can educate the jury and help dispel myths and prejudices against bikers so that they may judge a case accurately and fairly.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in South Carolina caused by someone else’s negligence, schedule a free consultation with our Charleston personal injury attorneys at Pierce | Sloan today.