How are motorcycle claims different from car accident claims?
Pre-conceived ideas of potential jury members are the biggest challenges in a motorcycle claim. When taking a motorcycle accident case to trial, the biggest challenge is how potential jury members feel about motorcycle riding in general. All of us use cars every day and many people think that motorcyclists tend to take more risks because they ride a motorycle and thus are more apt to be in an accident. At The Cagle Law Firm, we don’t believe that this is necessarily true. Actually, many statistics indicate that safe motorcyclists are injured most frequently by inattention and lack of visibility of other drivers. Riding a motorcycle is not necessarily a dangerous act and does not define anyone as a “more dangerous” or “less responsible” person.
While we know the perception of motorcyclists as less safe is not true, perception is what we work with in the courtroom during trial. As a motorcyclist, it is a tough perception to accept after you have been injured– especially if you were injured while someone else was being unsafe! It can be frustrating. I do understand that perceptions and stereotypes are not fair or necessarily true, but understanding the perceptions and viewpoints is critical when representing a motorycle accident victim. Uniquely, I understand stereotypes and perceptions as I have to accept the perception and viewpoint that many people have about personal injury attorneys as ‘bottom feeders’ and ‘ambulance chasers’. Every time I am involved in jury selection, I come face-to-face with the stereotype and bad feelings that many potential jury members have about personal injury attorneys and attorneys in general. Like any other perception or sterotype, no one will believe differently until they see/experience a contradiction to the stereotype.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, then you will probably need legal representation regardless of your personal perception and biases about personal injury attorneys. If you have been in a motorycle accident, then you are fortunate if you are not seriously injured. We work hard to dispel the stereotype of “ambulance chaser” (see prior blog), so we only represent victims with serious injuries or families of fatalities. if you have been injured and want or need help, please call us toll free (800) 685-3302 or locally, (314) 276-1681. We are happy to give you the information that you need to make the best decisions for you and your family. That information may or may include the recommendation to hire a personal injury attorney.
Link to this post!Perception-Motorycle Claims Vs. Car Accident Claims in St. Louis, Missouri" onclick="javascript:this.select()" readonly="readonly" style="width: 100%;" />