Bias can affect how people respond to your story after a crash. In Nashville, assumptions about motorcyclists can influence how fault is assigned, how your injuries are viewed, and how seriously your Nashville motorcycle accident claim is taken. If you were involved in a motorcycle accident, it helps to know what you are up against so you can protect your side of the story.
Bias May Affect the Way the Crash Is Reported
The earliest details about a crash often come from police officers and bystanders. When those people bring assumptions into the conversation, the report can take on a tone that works against you. In some cases, those judgments start before anyone even checks the facts.
Police Reports Can Favor the Driver’s Version of Events
First impressions carry weight, and officers may lean toward the car driver’s story if the motorcyclist cannot speak for themselves. What they write down at the scene might affect how fault is described later.
Witnesses May Describe the Biker as “Speeding” Without Proof
Bystanders sometimes assume the rider was going too fast based on noise, movement, or the way the crash looked. Those opinions can end up in official reports, even when there is no evidence to back them up.
Minor Mistakes May Be Exaggerated
A small issue like lane placement or sudden braking can sound much worse when bias is involved. What might be seen as normal driving for a car can be framed as careless when a motorcyclist does it.
Bias May Influence How Your Injuries Are Treated or Questioned
Motorcycle injuries are often serious, but some people still assume you knew what you were getting into. Insurance adjusters may compare your case to a Nashville car accident claim and argue that you accepted extra risk just by riding.
These assumptions can affect how your non-economic damages are valued under Tennessee Code Annotated § 29-39-102, especially when your pain or emotional toll is not immediately visible. Here are some ways your injuries may be questioned or downplayed:
- Asking if you are exaggerating the severity of your pain
- Comparing your injuries to what would have happened in a car accident
- Saying you were “lucky to survive” as a way to minimize what happened
- Suggesting the crash was caused by risky behavior on your part
- Assuming you take fewer safety precautions than the average driver
- Dismissing emotional trauma, sleep problems, or ongoing anxiety
- Ignoring delayed-onset symptoms like nerve damage or concussion
Bias May Affect How Your Claim Is Valued or Negotiated
Not all bias is obvious, and some of it shows up in small ways as your case moves forward. Even when the other driver admits fault, perception can still affect what kind of settlement you are offered. In serious cases involving traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries, those assumptions can shape how your medical records are viewed or how your credibility is judged.
Adjusters May Assume Riders Take on More Risk
Insurance companies sometimes treat riders as thrill-seekers, even if the crash was caused by someone else. That belief can lead to lower offers right from the start, regardless of how strong your case is.
Prejudice May Affect Credibility in Court
Jurors are human, and some may be quicker to trust a pedestrian or car passenger than someone who was riding a motorcycle. The way you dress, speak, or look can sometimes get more attention than the facts themselves.
Medical Records Might Be Picked Apart More Critically
When bias is in the mix, even well-documented injuries can get questioned. This includes spinal trauma and traumatic brain injuries, which are often invisible but deeply life-altering.