At the Hollingsworth Law Firm, our Houston motorcycle accident attorneys know riders in Texas often face significant bias when pursuing compensation for injuries sustained in crashes. This unfairness can come from other motorists, insurance companies, and law enforcement, who may assume that motorcyclists are reckless or inherently responsible for their injuries.
Overcoming this bias is crucial for motorcycle accident victims to receive fair compensation. Here, we explore the judgment motorcycle riders face and our Harris County personal injury law firm’s strategies to counter these biases.
Understanding the Bias Against Motorcycle Riders
Motorcycle riders often face stereotypes that unfairly affect their personal injury claims, including:
- Recklessness: Motorcyclists are often perceived as thrill-seekers taking unnecessary road risks.
- Speeding: There is a common assumption that motorcycle riders tend to speed, regardless of whether speeding was a factor in the accident.
- Visibility Issues: Insurance companies may blame riders for not making themselves more visible to other vehicles, even though many motorcycle accidents are caused by drivers who fail to see motorcyclists.
- Inherent risk: Riding a motorcycle is sometimes viewed as inherently dangerous, leading some to believe that motorcyclists “assume the risk” of injury when they ride.
These biases can lead to reduced settlements or denied claims, even when the motorcyclist was not at fault. Our skilled motorcycle accident attorneys must prove that the riders we represent are entitled to compensation so they can regain control of their lives and enjoy riding again.
Gathering Strong Evidence to Prove Fault in Texas Motorcycle Accidents
One of the most effective ways to overcome bias is to present clear and compelling evidence that the other party is at fault.
Key strategies include:
- Accident Scene Documentation: Immediately after the accident, it’s essential to collect as much evidence as possible, including photographs of the scene, skid marks, road conditions, and vehicle damage. Take photos from multiple angles to provide a complete view of the scene, if possible.
- Eyewitness Testimony: Eyewitnesses can provide an unbiased account of the accident, which can help establish that the motorcyclist was driving safely and that the other party was at fault.
- Surveillance Footage: In some cases, nearby businesses or traffic cameras may have captured the accident on video. Footage can be invaluable in proving the exact sequence of events and dispelling any assumptions of recklessness by the rider.
- Accident Reconstruction Experts: These professionals can analyze the accident scene, vehicle damage, and other factors to determine the cause of the crash. Their testimony can help illustrate how the accident occurred and why the motorcyclist was not at fault.
- Medical Experts: Medical professionals can explain the severity of the motorcyclist’s injuries and how those injuries were consistent with the accident’s dynamics, helping to establish the need for compensation without invoking bias.
It’s critical to demonstrate that the other party, not the motorcyclist, was negligent. This can include proving that the driver failed to yield, was distracted, or didn’t correctly check blind spots before changing lanes.
Our dedicated Houston motorcycle accident and injury lawyers can craft a narrative that explains why the motorcyclist was riding that day—commuting to work, running errands, or visiting family or friends—to show that the accident occurred during a routine, responsible activity, not reckless behavior.
Biases and stereotypes should not be used to avoid liability or minimize the compensation a victim deserves. By focusing on the facts, presenting the motorcyclist as a responsible road user, and highlighting the other party’s negligence, our personal injury lawyers can effectively counter prejudice and help motorcycle accident victims recover the compensation they are entitled to.
Contact Our Dedicated Houston Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
Contact our dedicated Houston motorcycle accident attorneys at the Hollingsworth Law Firm today for a free case evaluation. Call 713-637-4560 or contact us online.
Our skilled bilingual personal injury lawyers and support staff represent clients throughout Texas on a contingency basis, so you never pay any legal fees unless we win your case.
If you are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve, so are we. Let us take the lead.
