Motorcycle speeding down on an empty country road

Are Courts Biased Against Bikers?

By Charles Smith
Partner

In addition to the inherent danger that motorcycle riders face each day, the potential of being involved in an injury-causing crash can have more concerns than just the physical effects. There’s been long-standing speculation that some aspects of cases involving riders come with a lot of bias against them. This bias can potentially lead to a less favorable outcome for the rider, even if they are the victim in the incident.

Examples of Bias In Motorcycle Accident Cases

If the case eventually goes to a trial, jury bias can appear in several ways. Jurors may have negative attitudes towards motorcycle riders and think that they:

  • Drive too fast
  • Drive recklessly
  • Don’t follow the law
  • Are hard to see
  • Are affiliated with undesirable groups
  • Are young and inexperienced

These attitudes can significantly impact a rider’s outcome in their case. Additionally, other factors that may involve bias include an inaccurate police report or witness statements, lower settlements from the insurance company, and other unfair treatment.

How Your Case My Be Impacted

With a harsher jury opinion, the overall award received could be significantly less than what the injured person deserves. There may be more issues when addressing whether or not the rider was wearing personal protective equipment like a helmet or close-toed shoes at the time of the crash, which increased the severity of their injuries. Misrepresented witness statements or police reports could also indicate wrongdoing on the rider’s part, even if inaccurate.

For a rider’s best chance at ensuring that their case is decided without bias, they should work with an experienced personal injury attorney who understands which tactics may be used to sway jurors.

Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today!

For nearly a century, the firm of Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman has been advocating for the rights of motorists throughout North Mississippi. By utilizing an aggressive yet compassionate approach, we can help ensure your case is portrayed accurately in and out of the courtroom.

To get started with a free consultation, call The Lawyers That Listen at (662) 222-0597.

About the Author
Charles Nicholas Smith is a Partner at Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman and is admitted to practice law in state courts in Mississippi and Tennessee. He is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court Northern District of Mississippi. Mr. Smith’s areas of practice include personal injury, criminal defense, and civil litigation, including contract disputes and actions under the Fair Debt Collections Act and Fair Credit Reporting Act. Mr. Smith was hired in 2010 at the Chatham Pittman Law Firm and is now a partner at Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman. If you have any questions about this article, you can contact Mr. Smith through our contact form.