Do People of Color Receive Less in Compensation After a Personal Injury Case?
Over the past decade, questions of racial discrimination, racial bias, and systemic injustice have been raised across the country in matters from policing to banking, and more. Unfortunately, the deep impacts of centuries of discrimination and racism are still being felt in law, as well. Before we can resolve the deep pain this systemic injustice has causes people of color (POCs), we first must examine the ways in which law has allowed it to continue. In the case of personal injury lawsuits, this injustice takes the form of verdict and expert bias and reduced recoveries for POCs. Read on to learn how citizens and personal injury lawyers in Riverside can fight back against injustice through awareness.
What Does Discrimination in Riverside Personal Injury Lawsuits Look Like?
Generally speaking, in locations like Riverside, personal injury attorneys are likely not the ones perpetuating racial bias and discriminatory actions in lawsuits. However, the standards for bringing cases are heavily impacted by race and color. Not only do personal injury lawyers in Riverside face potential bias from insurance companies, defendants, judges, and jurors during a case which may cause a plaintiff to be mistreated or not fully compensated, they also must address the standard of compensation demands which is often argued on the basis of race. But what does this mean?
How Does Racial Bias and Discrimination Lead to Less Compensation?
In personal injury lawsuits in Riverside, insurance companies, accident experts, medical professionals, and more use statistics to determine how much an injured person should be entitled to for future earnings and even life expectancy. These statistics are typically reported by race and color. This means that, even if a Black or Brown person who was killed due to negligence was healthy and had a job, their family’s compensation will be lower than if they victim was a White person because of the statistical likelihood that a Black or Brown person would die earlier than a White person in the same health. All this is driven by racial bias and discrimination in a wide variety of industries – from how POCs are treated in healthcare to the cycle of poverty in Black and Brown communities. Systemic racism throughout multiple areas works to ensure POCs receive less in compensation if they’re injured. At BD&J, we’re sickened by this persistent racial bias and our personal injury attorneys in Riverside tirelessly fight for you to receive maximum compensation, no matter your color.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does racial bias still exist even in places with a lot of Black and Brown people like Riverside?
Unfortunately, yes. Often, the statistics that are used to determine how much compensation a plaintiff is entitled to are national in scope. Even though Riverside has a significant POC population, the statistics reflect the national makeup. Additionally, those called to be jurors, though random, can also be impacted by their own biases.
How can we stop racial bias from impacting compensation?
The first step with any systemic injustice is to universally acknowledge it. Personal injury lawyers in Riverside and throughout California must identify an unfair bias against POCs and advocate for change from the inside of the industry. This often means convincing legislators and judges that the way things are done is wrong. Citizens of Riverside can also be involved by calling their representatives on a state and national level to push for change.
Are women also impacted by bias in personal injury lawsuits?
Yes, women and feminine-presenting people are also impacted by a similar bias due to nationwide statistics that depict a concerning gender pay disparity. Because women are paid less than men on average, women may receive less compensation compared to their male counterparts.
Does having a personal injury lawyer in Riverside help eliminate racial bias?
Above all, a personal injury lawyer in Riverside is there to advocate tirelessly for your needs and for justice. This means that although they cannot prevent others from acting unjustly, a quality attorney will never allow injustice to occur without argument. When you partner with a Riverside personal injury attorney at BD&J, you will have an aggressive advocate who will not stand for bias or mistreatment on the basis of your race, color, gender, ethnicity, or language.
Can a Riverside personal injury attorney dispute a biased jury award?
Yes, a personal injury attorney in Riverside can appeal a court verdict, but only on the basis of a potential legal issue. While clients cannot simply appeal because they aren’t happy with the decision, an obviously racially biased or discriminatory verdict can be appealed as a miscarriage of justice. It may take significant work to prove, but fighting injustice is BD&J’s specialty.
How to Find a Personal Injury Attorney in Riverside That Will Fight for Fair Compensation
There are numerous personal injury attorneys in Riverside, and all of them claim to be the best. But how do you know which can actually help you through one of the most difficult times of your life while aggressively rejecting unjust bias? Follow these steps to find a great Riverside lawyer for your personal injury case.
- Check case outcomes. Most attorneys will tout their best outcomes for clients on their websites. Potential clients should check these outcomes seem sufficient enough for the severity of the injuries in the case. The size of the recoveries is also a key indicator whether a lawyer will negotiate for more or accept the first offer to close the case quickly.
- Read client reviews. Online reviews are an invaluable tool for potential clients to learn which attorneys in Riverside will actually get the job done and treat their clients well. While some negative reviews are par the course, most should be positive.
- Schedule a free consultation. Consultations are your opportunity to see whether a Riverside personal injury attorney is a good fit for you. Consider this step an interview to gauge how well the lawyer understands your type of case, whether they’re kind and compassionate, and if they have the gumption to fight for you.
Defending the Rights of People of Color for Decades
Pain has no color, and neither should the law. That’s why BD&J has been fighting for injured Californians regardless of race or color for the past 20 years. We’ve proudly secured more than $2 billion* for our clients and have been featured on outlets such as ABC, NBC, CNN, Univision, and more. If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by another person, contact our Riverside personal injury lawyers to schedule a free consultation today!
