In the state of Oklahoma, there are prime stretches of highway through some of the most scenic roads – perfect for motorcycling. Add to that that Oklahoma has the longest section of Route 66 in the entire country, and you have a recipe for bikers getting out and enjoying the fresh air.
Injured in Oklahoma City? Call Warhawk Legal at (405) 397-1717 for a free consultation. Our personal injury attorneys work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case.
But, unfortunately, despite you and our team at Warhawk Legal knowing that there’s nothing wrong with motorcycling, a lot of drivers and members of the public express bias toward the group. Not only does this bias harm you, but if you or a loved one has been in an Oklahoma City motorcycle accident, it can actually harm your case.
So in this guide, we’ll be examining the motivation behind why there is bias towards motorcyclists. Plus, if you’ve been in an motorcycle accident, we’re giving our best tips on what to do after a wreck.
After reading this blog, if you still have questions for us, we’re happy to answer them. Get in touch with us by calling (405) 397-1717 or booking your free, no-obligation case review online today.
Why Is There Bias Towards Motorcyclists?
The why behind bias wielded towards motorcyclists is a deeper question indeed. While most bikers are good riders and are safe and responsible, the societal depiction of bikers in popular culture doesn’t communicate that story.
The media and pop culture take examples of the outliers, the more uncommon examples of reckless motorcycle riding, and adjacent biker culture behaviors (fights, speeding, and careless driving), and claim all motorcyclists are like this which unfairly punishes the majority of motorcyclists who operate within the bounds of the law
Any law firm, like the team at Warhawk Legal, knows these stereotypes are not properly founded and are largely untrue.
Effects Of Bias Against Motorcyclists
Unforunately, the unconscious and conscious biases towards motorcycle riders runs too deep for most people and companies – and here’s how.
Insurance Company Bias
If you have a case and are trying to receive a fair and just settlement, insurance company bias may effect what you can collect. The insurance company knows all the methods to devalue a case and turn others’ opinions against you.
Jury or Judge Bias
If your case goes to trial, you’ll also likely have to deal with not just a courtroom proceeding but the “court of public opinion” against you behind a motorcycle rider.
For instance, in Oklahoma, adult motorcyclists are not required to wear a helmet by law. If a biker chooses to exercise this legally given right while on Oklahoma roads, they should not be punished for this choice by an insurance company or a jury. Juries are generally more likely to rule against motorcyclists and side with insurer claims.
What To Do After A Motorcycle Accident
After calling emergency medical personnel and the police, the next thing you should do after being in a motorcycle accident is to contact a trustworthy Oklahoma City motorcycle accident lawyer. That lawyer will likely recommend you preserve any evidence such as your garments, your helmet (if worn), and any documentation collected at the scene. If you or a loved one is capable, taking photos or videos of the evidence at the scene will also ensure strong evidentiary support in your case.
If you need help with any of the details surrounding your motorcycle accident case, give us a call at (405) 397-1717.
How Attorneys Counter Motorcyclist Bias in Oklahoma Claims
Experienced motorcycle attorneys are aware of the bias problem and build cases specifically to neutralize it. Accident reconstruction experts analyze physical evidence — skid marks, point of impact, vehicle damage patterns — to establish independently what each vehicle was doing before impact. Biomechanical experts explain the physics of how a crash at a given speed causes specific injuries, removing the subjective judgment about whether the rider “should have avoided it.” Dash-cam footage from the at-fault vehicle or nearby traffic cameras can be decisive when it shows the driver failing to check mirrors or signal before a lane change or turn. Pre-trial motions can limit what the defense is allowed to argue about the motorcyclist’s general lifestyle or riding choices when those facts are irrelevant to the crash itself.
What Motorcyclists Are Entitled to Recover in Oklahoma
Motorcyclists injured through another driver’s negligence are entitled to the same full range of damages as any other road user: medical expenses past and future, lost wages and reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Severe motorcycle injuries — spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injury, limb loss — often result in long-term care needs that a life care planner calculates and presents as part of the damages case. Oklahoma’s comparative negligence law still applies, but motorcyclists are not categorically limited in their recovery simply because of their vehicle type.
Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcyclist Bias and Oklahoma Claims
Will the jury be told I ride a motorcycle? Yes — but an experienced attorney shapes the narrative around what the other driver did wrong, not what vehicle the victim was on. Does not wearing gear affect my claim? Only for injuries arguably worsened by missing gear — not for the underlying crash liability. What if the insurance adjuster immediately offered me less than a car accident victim would get? That is the bias in practice — contact Warhawk Legal before accepting any offer on a motorcycle injury claim.
Learn more from our contact us for a free consultation. Call us for a free case review.
Learn more from our personal injury attorney in Oklahoma City. Call us for a free case review.
If you or a loved one has been injured, contact our experienced Oklahoma City motorcycle accident attorney at Warhawk Legal. We offer free consultations and only get paid when you win.