Unreasonable Biases Against Motorcyclists

As warmer weather draws nearer and motorcycles return to the open road, always remember to share it with these small vehicles to ensure the safety of everyone in the vicinity. May is Motorcycle Awareness Month, and to help all drivers become more conscious of motorcyclists on the road, it helps to understand and dispel some of the biases that car-drivers may have against them.

These include:

– Motorcyclists are difficult to see;
– They drive too fast;
– Most motorcyclists are young and careless or biker gang members.

These opinions can not only convince drivers to disregard motorcyclists on the road, but they can even affect a motorcyclist’s compensation should he/she suffer injuries in an accident due to another driver’s negligence. While personal injury claims must come down to the truth as precisely as possible, it is naïve to think that these biases, when pushed and propagated, can’t sway the insurance company to offer the motorcyclist a lower settlement regardless of who was at-fault for the accident. It is always best to avoid biases and pursue the truth no matter which side of a case you are on.

While motorcycles can indeed be more difficult to see on the road than other cars, motorcyclists can easily mitigate this risk in two ways: proper use of headlights, even during the day, to increase visibility to surrounding drivers and drivers ahead; and abiding by all traffic precautions, including avoiding speeding, tailgating, and lane-splitting. Drivers of cars should be particularly cautious about making abrupt turns and lane-switches without checking for surrounding vehicles, as this is a common cause of accidents involving motorcycles.

Also, while some motorcyclists may drive recklessly and at dangerous speeds, it’s important to remember that motorcyclists do not necessarily drive recklessly at a higher rate than drivers of passenger vehicles. By and large, cases of motorcycle recklessness are isolated and not more common than driver recklessness in general.

Finally, some hold the belief that the majority of motorcyclists are either: young, inexperienced, and foolhardy; or “outlaws” or members of biker gangs. While such people do exist, these stereotypes are not at all representative of all motorcyclists, which include people of many ages, cultures, and backgrounds. Most motorcyclists are law-abiding citizens, just like car-drivers, who enjoy the freedom and independence that motorcycles offer and simply want to go about their routes safely and efficiently as we all do. Lives are at stake when sharing the road with others, and motorcyclists are no more deserving of bias than any other type or category of driver.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an motorcycle accident due to another driver’s negligence, contact 844 See Mike for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.

Lastly, 844 See Mike is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.