Motorcycle Accident Verdict

The Case

A 45-year-old experienced motorcycle rider was traveling through a Norcross intersection when a minivan driver failed to yield while making a left turn, striking our client broadside. The rider was wearing a DOT-approved helmet and full protective gear but still sustained severe injuries including a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula, a torn ACL, road rash requiring skin grafts, and a separated shoulder. He was an avid recreational cyclist and marathon runner whose active lifestyle was permanently altered by the accident.

The Challenge

The defense deployed the common “motorcycle bias” strategy, arguing that our client was speeding and driving recklessly -- stereotypes that juries often associate with motorcycle riders despite no evidence to support the claims. The minivan driver testified that she “didn't see” the motorcycle, and the defense argued this was because our client was traveling too fast to be visible. We needed to counter this bias with objective evidence while proving the full extent of our client's lifestyle damages beyond just medical bills and lost wages.

The Result

We retained an accident reconstruction expert who used skid mark analysis, vehicle damage patterns, and traffic camera footage to prove our client was traveling at or below the posted speed limit. We also obtained the minivan driver's cell phone records, which showed she had been on a phone call at the time of the turn, suggesting distraction. To quantify lifestyle damages, we presented testimony from our client's running coach, cycling partners, and physical therapist documenting his pre-accident fitness level and post-accident limitations. The jury returned a verdict of $975,000, including significant compensation for loss of enjoyment of life.