Don't Be a Stereotype; Be a Safe Motorcycle Rider

When you think of a motorcycle rider, what do you think of? Dare devil, risk taker, unsafe, fast, flashy? These are describing words many motorists think of. These are also words that a jury would think of too. Even if you do not fall under the category for these words, motorcycle riders are negatively stereotyped. Unfortunately, many bikers do represent these characteristics.

If you are a motorcycle rider and were the victim of an accident, it is possible that you may not get a lot of sympathy in a court room because of stereotypes. Of course, this is not always the case. But if you were not at fault and police did not respond, chances are that an insurance adjuster will fight that you were at blame for negligently driving – just because you were on a motorcycle.

As a personal injury law firm, seeing many people injured in motorcycle accidents, the most important thing you can do is ride responsibly and legally. Do not fall into these stereotypes. If you have several speeding tickets on your record, an insurance company or jury will be able to see. It can most definitely hurt your outcome or settlement.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

• The failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the predominating cause of motorcycle accidents. The driver of the other vehicle involved in collision with the motorcycle did not see the motorcycle before the collision, or did not see the motorcycle until too late to avoid the collision.

• Fifty-five percent of all reported fatal motorcycle crashes occurring nationally in 1998 involved multiple vehicle crashes and 45% occurred in single-vehicle crashes.

• Five crash types account for 86% of fatal motorcycle crashes: motorcycle runs-off-road 41%, motorcycle or other vehicle runs traffic control 18%, head-on collision 11%, car turns in front of cycle 8% and motorcycle goes down in roadway 7%.

• Forty-five percent of deaths in single-vehicle motorcycle crashes in 1998 included drivers with blood alcohol concentration at or above 0.10%.

• Nine out of 10 motorcycle deaths in 1998 were males. Seventy-seven percent of the females who died in a motorcycle crash were passengers and 98% of males who died were drivers.

Top Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Washington State

The attorneys at Davis Law Group have a great deal of experience in handling motorcycle accident cases. If you have been the victim of a motorcycle accident, attorney Chris Davis is the top motorcycle accident attorney to represent you. Mr. Davis is the founder and principal attorney of Davis Law Group. He is widely known as a legal analyst and commentator. Call our office at (206) 727-4000 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation.

Free Information For Accident Victims

In his years as a Seattle accident attorney, Chris Davis has seen injury victims make a number of mistakes before hiring a lawyer.  Mistakes that can potentially harm their case and reduce their settlement value. Davis has written several books on Washington accident law which define the legal process and identify some of the most common mistakes that people make. The books translate complex legal and insurance jargon into plain English, providing readers with the opportunity to better understand the accident claims process.

Click here to order your FREE copy of one of these informative books.

Davis Law Group and attorney Chris Davis has been featured in news reports on these local and national news sources: