Robert I. Feinberg Personal Injury Law Blog on Lawyers.com

When I started practicing personal injury law, I was always told that there is a prejudice against motorcycle operators and that this will hurt in the representation of motorcycle victims.  First, let’s turn that on its head: motorcycle operators, to the extent that one should and can generalize, are pretty meticulous people.  Yes, they are good people to represent.

The old fashioned view is not fair.  We know that prejudices are feelings that are based on unfounded assumptions.  Motorcycle operators are law-abiding and careful, knowing as they do, the danger of serious accidents.  An advocate should have respect, if not affection, for his/her client.

Certain no-fault coverages, such as Massachusetts Personal Injury Protection benefits, are not available to motorcycle operators.  (A small premium is charged to motorcycle operators for that coverage but it is only available to pedestrians.)  Consequently, the pool of money is usually less.  A claim against an at-fault operator becomes all the more crucial.  If that individual does not have insurance or sufficient insurance, the uninsured and underinsurance coverage on the motorcycle becomes all the more vital.  Once again, the merits of the case only go so far.  The insurance coverage, not related to the case’s merits, will tell you if you will get sufficient compensation.