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Written by: Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers
Last Updated : January 6, 2022
Jersey City Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
New Jersey motorcyclists are one of the most vulnerable groups on the roads today. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to be killed in a traffic accident than those traveling in passenger cars.
If you need more proof of just how dangerous motorcycle accidents can be, look no further than numbers from the New Jersey State Police Department. They found that there were 55 fatalities from motorcycle crashes in 2018 alone. Those should be shocking statistics for anyone on Jersey City roads.
Unfortunately, motorcyclists know the importance of driver safety through experience. But even the most careful rider can be hurt by a negligent or reckless car driver. If you were injured in a Jersey City motorcycle accident, don’t let the insurance company take advantage of you. The devastating injures motorcycle accidents tend to cause are expensive, so insurers may try to offer settlements that won’t cover the full extent of your damages.
Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers can protect your rights and make sure that you’re treated fairly and fully compensated. Contact our office at (201) 583-5765 to learn more about how we can fight to get the money you deserve. Schedule your free consultation with a Jersey City motorcycle accident lawyer today.
Common Types of New Jersey Motorcycle Accidents
Time and again, irresponsible drivers complain that they didn’t see a motorcyclist until it was too late. It’s true that motorcyclists can be harder to see than giant tractor-trailers, but that’s no excuse for failing to check blind spots and driving recklessly.
Negligence is a significant cause of motorcycle accidents, and the bikers, not the car drivers, are the ones that face the most serious consequences.
Any number of factors may contribute to motorcycle accidents on New Jersey roadways, but they tend to fall into a few categories.
Here are some of the most common types of accidents the attorneys at Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers see:
- Distracted driving accidents
- Left-turn crashes
- Lane change collisions
- Speeding crashes
- “Dooring” (when a driver opens their car door into a motorcyclist)
- Impaired driving crashes
- Construction hazards collisions
- Lane splitting accidents
- Head-on collisions
Common Injuries from New Jersey Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle crash injuries can be severe or even fatal because there’s so little to protect you from the road. Riders can only rely on their helmet and the protective clothing they wear, while motorists have metal, fiberglass, and airbags to help take the brunt of an impact.
Even low-speed accidents can cause serious injuries to motorcycle riders that take months or years to fully heal. A high-speed or more serious accident can lead to life-altering injures that require a lifetime of medical care and significant changes to a victim’s way of life.
Some of the more common injuries that motorcyclists suffer after collisions include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Concussion
- Spinal injury or paralysis
- Internal bleeding
- Soft tissue damage
- Fractured bones
- Road rash
- Wrongful death
The cost of medical treatment for these injuries can reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The costs may not be short term either. Serious injuries can require extensive rehabilitation and future care. If someone else caused your crash, you could seek compensation from them for their negligence. A skilled attorney will fight to recover the full compensation you deserve.
It’s All About Results
We are the trial attorneys with the experience and knowledge to get you the results you deserve. At Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers, we take time to get to know you, as well as your case. We are committed to excellence. It is important for our team to understand your fears, concerns and expectations. We are always available to answer any questions, and are willing to come to you if you are unable to come to us.
Contact Our Experienced Law FirmCompensation for Motorcycle Accidents
Just like motorcycle riders, motorcycle accidents are unique. There’s no way to estimate the damages that you’re owed following an accident without a review by an experienced attorney.
That’s a good thing. You want compensation that’s tailored to your particular situation. Your damages should cover your bills, not an imaginary injured person. You should have peace of mind about your financial future.
In general, there are some common types of compensation that you can expect to recover in the state of New Jersey.
These include:
- Current medical bills
- Future medical bills related to your accident injures
- Lost wages
- Loss of ability to earn future income
- Property damage
- Disability
- Pain and suffering
Filing Statute of Limitations in New Jersey
The serious nature of motorcycle accident injures may mean that victims are reluctant or unable to contact an attorney for representation immediately following an accident. Don’t wait too long. There are a number of reasons why getting an attorney on your side sooner rather than later is important.
The state of New Jersey has a statute of limitations for when you can file a suit for accident claims. Motorcycle accident victims have two years from the date of their crash to file their claim in the New Jersey court system. If you fail to meet the deadline, your case can be dismissed.
This time frame is important even if you hope to reach a negotiated settlement with an insurance company. If the insurer offers you a low settlement or dismisses your claim, you might need to file in court. Make sure you have time to use the legal system to recover your due compensation.
Contacting an attorney early means that they’ll be able to investigate and secure critical evidence to your case before it’s lost or destroyed. By securing an attorney, you’re securing your rights and strengthening your case. That can make all the difference for your case and your financial compensation.
New Jersey Motorcycle Laws
Determining who is liable following an accident is a crucial step for all motorcycle accident claims. The State of New Jersey subscribes to a “modified comparative fault” rule to distribute compensation after an accident.
That means that when a jury reviews the evidence in an accident case, they take into account two main points: the total dollar amount of the victim’s damages and how fault for the accident should be distributed.
The percentage of fault that falls to you determines how much compensation you can receive. As an example, if a rider is found to be 20 percent at fault for causing an accident, and the driver is 80 percent at fault, then the rider will receive their total damages minus 20 percent.
If a party is found to be more than 50 percent at-fault for an accident, they won’t get any compensation under the modified comparative fault rule. Your lawyer can protect you from unreasonable accusations of fault that would limit your compensation.
New Jersey is a “no-fault” car insurance state. That means that no matter who’s to blame for the crash, you file an insurance claim with your own insurance company after a crash, not the other driver’s.
There are only a handful of situations where you can file a claim with the opposing driver’s company. Unfortunately, dealing with even your own insurance company can be complicated after a motorcycle crash.
Even if you try to handle everything outside of the court system, retaining a lawyer is a wise decision. They can help you negotiate with your car insurance company. They may be YOUR car insurance company, but that doesn’t mean that they have your best interests at heart. An insurance company is still a business that wants to turn a profit at the end of the day.
It’s important to follow New Jersey state laws. It protects your safety, of course, but it also protects your right to compensation in the event of a crash. Breaking a state law may allow an insurance company or lawyer to argue that you’re partially responsible for the crash. That could affect your settlement or judgment.
New Jersey state laws dictate the use and licensing of motorcycles in the state. All riders must have a motorcycle endorsement on their existing driver’s license or have a separate motorcycle license before they hit the road. All motorcycles must also be titled, registered, and insured in the state. New Jersey motorcyclists must wear a helmet that meets all DOT certification standards for safety. If you’re concerned about how these laws might affect your motorcycle accident claim, contact an attorney at Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
How an Experienced Motorcycle Attorney at Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers Can Help
Jersey City motorcycle accidents have serious consequences that can alter how you live and enjoy your life. Your injures, and their consequences can be overwhelming. The last thing you should have to worry about is paying medical bills. That’s where an attorney can help.
The law firm of Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers understands what you’re going through, and we have the tools to make even tough insurance companies respect your rights. Our attorneys know how to handle catastrophic motorcycle accident cases. We’ll work hard to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Negligent drivers should be held responsible for their actions, and you need to fair compensation to move on from your crash with a full financial recovery so you can focus on your health. We won’t charge you anything for our services unless we resolve your claim successfully.
Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers is firmly in your corner. Contact our office at (201) 583-5765 for a no-obligation consultation. Get the facts about your legal options. Call us today.
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