Are Motorcyclists the Victims of Unfair Profiling?
For the second year in a row, the Motorcycle Profiling Project is conducting a national survey to define profiling trends for motorcyclists in the United States. The 2015-2016 National Motorcycle Profiling Survey revealed that many riders are profiled based on their appearance, not on their behavior.
Over half of riders say they were stopped by police unjustifiably at least one time and 37 percent say they have been unjustifiably stopped more than once. Many of these riders are not even members of motorcycle clubs. For those who are members of clubs, they report they are profiled even though they are members of Christian clubs or veterans’ clubs.
The NMPS is asking motorcyclists throughout the United States to participate in the 2016-2017 survey to gather more data and statistics related to motorcyclist profiling. The best way to fight unfair profiling is to continue to bring attention to the problem. The survey does not require any personal data, so your privacy and anonymity are protected.
Motorcyclist Profiling is a Problem for Many Reasons
One of the main concerns that riders want to be addressed is unfair profiling for police stops. Groups allege police officers are using unrealistic profiling techniques to make unjustifiable police stops. Riders feel as if they are being targeted simply because they ride a motorcycle. Everyone is being lumped into the same category as the very small number of riders who are members of motorcycle groups that cause trouble in their communities. The overwhelming majority of riders are law-abiding citizens who enjoy motorcycling. They do not deserve to be unreasonably and unfairly targeted based on biased beliefs and profiles.
However, being targeted by law enforcement for stops is not the only problem with motorcyclist profiling. When a motorcyclist is in an accident, the insurance company for the other driver may try to use unfair and biased profiles to deny or reduce the value of the rider’s injury claim. A favorite argument for many insurance adjusters is that all motorcyclists are reckless; therefore, the rider must be at least partially at fault for the motorcycle accident. If the adjuster can blame the rider for some of the accident, the rider’s compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to him or her for the crash.
This tactic is used with juries when cases go to court. Defense attorneys for the insurance company try to paint the motorcyclist as a reckless, dangerous individual who speeds and puts other motorists in danger. Defense attorneys use unfounded fears to convince the jury that the rider must have been negligent in causing the accident.
Call an Erie Motorcycle Accident Attorney to Protect Your Right to Receive FULL Compensation for Your Injuries
You need an experienced Erie motorcycle accident attorney who understands how insurance companies and their attorneys fight motorcycle accident claims. You need an attorney who is passionate about fighting for the rights of motorcyclists in Pennsylvania. You need an attorney who will not give up until you receive justice. You need The Travis Law Firm.
Contact The Travis Law Firm toll-free at (800) 401-2066 to schedule a free legal consultation with one of our Erie motorcycle accident attorneys.