Motorcycle / Bicycle Accidents

The difference between motorcycle/bicycle accidents and auto accidents goes far deeper than the obvious difference in the size of the vehicle.  Injuries from motorcycle accidents are disproportionately more serious than auto accidents, and bicycle a rider is three times more likely to die in an accident than an auto accident victim.  Because of the huge mass disparity, even low speed impacts, causing little or no damage to an automobile can cause devastating injuries for two wheeled vehicles

Motorcycles and bicycles simply do not afford the protection of an automobile.  And, for this reason, many people believe a motorcyclist or bicycle rider “deserve what they get”.  This has lead to an unfair bias against two wheeled vehicles.  Beside this bias among the general public, many insurance adjusters begin with the premise that some of the blame should be shared by the rider, because the rider is operating a vehicle that is harder to see than a full sized vehicle.  In addition, many adjusters will wrongly assume the cyclist was disobeying the rules of the road, speeding, or riding recklessly.  Additionally, claims adjusters know an injury to a cyclist will be more costly than a comparable auto accident because of the size disparity.

John Shumaker is a licensed motorcycle rider, who owns and rides a custom built v-twin, and is actively involved in the local biker community.  He is also a cyclist/triathlete, riding an average of 250 miles a week as part of his training. He understands the special needs of a person injured on two wheels.

John Shumaker
Attorney and Counselor at Law