While any motor vehicle collision can potentially cause injuries, those involving motorcycles are much more dangerous than collisions between cars or trucks. This is because motorcyclists do not have the types of protection that motor vehicle occupants have. Motorcycles do not have a protective cab compartment to absorb some of the forces released in accidents, meaning that the shock of the collision will largely be absorbed by the motorcyclist’s body. Motorcycles also do not have other safety features, including seatbelts or airbags, that help motor vehicle occupants avoid some types of serious injuries. Motorcyclists who are thrown from their bikes or whose bodies absorb the force of a collision might suffer fractured bones, internal organ damage, traumatic brain injuries, amputated limbs, or even death.
Juries tend to believe that motorcyclists are risk-takers and are likely to be at fault for their accidents and injuries. While many people have this perception of motorcyclists as reckless people, a review of 10 years worth of crash data in Florida found that the drivers of other motor vehicles were at fault in 60 percent of the motorcycle crashes. This makes it more difficult for injured motorcyclists to prove their cases to juries at trial.
Insurance companies understand the types of biases most juries have against motorcyclists and use that to their advantage. In many claims, insurance companies will dispute the liability of their insureds even when they were clearly at fault and aggressively defend against claims. An insurance company might also extend an unreasonably low settlement offer to a motorcycle accident victim to try to reduce the amounts they might be forced to pay out in a claim. As a result, a motorcycle accident victim might be forced to file a formal lawsuit and engage in protracted litigation to recover the damages they deserve for their losses. An insurance company might not make an offer at all or offer far less than what you deserve because it believes it will win at trial.
If you have been seriously injured in a motorcycle crash because of the actions of another motorist, it can be devastating when the insurance company tries to blame you for your collision and injuries. Remember that the insurance company does not have your best interests in mind and will simply do whatever it can to avoid paying your claim, including trying to take advantage of potential juror bias and assigning the blame to you.
Working with an experienced attorney at Ellis & Associates can help you gather the evidence you need to build the strongest possible legal case. Insurance companies are aware of our track record and know that we fight for our clients. In many cases, this helps us to secure fair settlements. However, we are always prepared to fight for our clients at trial if necessary. Call Ellis & Associates today to request a free consultation at 800-MR-ELLIS or contact us online.
If you experience chronic migraines, you know that a severe migraine is definitely not "just a…
Lumbar radiculopathy, more commonly known as sciatica, can be extremely painful and debilitating. When it's…
A motorcycle accident can leave you with serious injuries and expensive medical bills. While Massachusetts…
Motorcycle riders face higher accident risks than other motor vehicle occupants because they have fewer…
Were you recently injured in a motorcycle collision that wasn't your fault? It's important that…
If you've been involved in a motorcycle accident, filing a police report is one of…