Motorcycle accident victims need the help of a skilled and competent motorcycle accident lawyer in Newark. Our team consists of experienced Newark motorcycle accident attorneys are dedicated to helping victims. Motorcycle riders are uniquely at risk on the road, and accident injuries can have enormous medical and financial consequences.

If you have sustained injuries from a motorcycle accident caused by someone else, the Newark personal injury lawyers of Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers are here to assist. Seeking legal counsel is important to protect your legal rights and secure fair compensation for your injuries and damages. We can pursue compensation for your injury-related losses, including medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. In the aftermath of a serious accident, you need a professional who will protect your interests and well-being with skilled legal representation. Call us today at (973) 364-8300 or contact us online for a free consultation with one of our Newark motorcycle accident lawyers.

What Kind of Injuries Do Motorcycle Accidents Cause?

Common motorcycle accident injuries can have a significant impact on victims, affecting their physical, emotional, and financial well-being.

Most motorcycle accidents involve collisions with passenger vehicles. The large size difference means that riders are much more at risk of injury than those driving cars. Riders can also fall from the seat of their bikes and sustain injuries colliding with the road. Common motorcycle accident injuries include:

• Abrasions and road rash
• Whiplash and neck injuries
• Bruises and soft-tissue injury
• Cuts and lacerations
• Broken bones
• Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries
• Torso injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Organ damage and internal injuries
• Amputations
• Burns and chemical exposure
• PTSD

Serious injuries and severe injuries, such as broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries, often result in significant medical expenses. Victims may require ongoing medical care, including physical therapy, to aid in their recovery and rehabilitation. In addition to physical harm, emotional trauma is a frequent consequence of motorcycle accidents, and it is important to recognize its impact when seeking compensation.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

One of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in Newark is driver negligence. A negligent driver is often responsible for causing motorcycle accidents. Motorcycles are small and difficult to see, and inattentive drivers may not notice them nearby. Examples of negligent driving behaviors might include:

• Distracted driving (e.g., texting, talking, eating, etc.)
• Speeding
• Impaired driving
• Following too closely
• Not signaling turns or lane changes
• Ignoring traffic signals
• Fatigued driving
• Driver inexperience

Such an accident can result in both serious injuries and significant property damage.

Defective Parts

Motorcycle accidents may also happen due to defective parts. Common defective motorcycle parts include:

• Tires
• Brakes
• Steering forks
• Frames
• Sprockets
• Fuel tanks

Motor vehicle collisions involving motorcycles and other vehicles are common in Newark.

Motorcycle accidents often have multiple causes from different sources. We will thoroughly investigate the accident scene, identify relevant causal factors, and trace them back to responsible parties.

Why Are Motorcycle Accidents So Deadly?

Motorcycles are exceptionally dangerous compared to other forms of transportation. Motorcycles make up less than four percent of vehicles on the road but represent 14 of traffic fatalities. You are more than 24 times more likely to die in a motorcycle accident than in a car accident per vehicle mile traveled.

The main reason for this stark difference is motorcycles’ lack of cabin protection. Riders don’t have the protective shell of a cabin and are completely exposed to collisions and crashes. Motorcycles notably lack traditional safety features like seatbelts or airbags. Helmet use can reduce the likelihood of fatalities from head injuries, but helmets will not protect from torso or limb damage.

Motorcycle Accidents and New Jersey’s No Fault Auto Insurance Laws

New Jersey is a no-fault state when it comes to motor vehicle accidents. This means that drivers file a claim through their own personal injury coverage after a collision, regardless of who’s at fault. It is important to understand your insurance coverage and how your insurance company processes claims, as this can impact your ability to recover compensation.

However, motorcycles in New Jersey are exempt from no-fault coverage, so you won’t be able to file a personal injury protection claim. Instead, motorcycle riders must file an insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to access insurance benefits and recover money for their medical bills, lost income, and other injury-related expenses.

The benefit of filing a traditional fault-based claim is that motorcyclists can recover compensation for noneconomic damages like pain and suffering. No-fault insurance, in contrast, only covers specific monetary losses. New Jersey law governs the statute of limitations and legal process for motorcycle accident insurance claims.

Can I Still Recover Compensation If I Am At Fault for a Motorcycle Accident?

In some motorcycle accidents, the rider and other motorist can both bear fault. However, sharing fault does not necessarily bar riders from recovering compensation. New Jersey’s comparative negligence laws allow victims to recover compensation for injuries, even if they are partially responsible. Even if you are partially at fault, you should still seek compensation for your injuries and losses, as you may still be entitled to recover damages.

Comparative negligence works by reducing any final settlement amount according to the victim’s percentage of fault. For instance, if you were 30 percent at fault for an accident totaling $100,000 in losses, you would receive $70,000. New Jersey laws let injured claimants recover compensation as long as they are less than 51 percent at fault. If their percentage of fault is any higher, they cannot legally pursue financial compensation. Given comparative negligence rules, it’s important that you work with an attorney who can minimize your liability. Experienced Newark motorcycle accident lawyers can help you achieve a fair settlement and guide you through settlement negotiations to pursue maximum compensation.

Unique Difficulties in Motorcycle Accident Claims

After a motorcycle accident, victims must handle a complex legal process and deal with the legal aftermath, which can involve multiple steps to secure compensation and protect their rights.

Motorcycle accident claims have some unique challenges compared to typical auto claims:

• Policy Limits. Motorcycle accidents have high costs that may exceed available insurance policy limits, especially when rehabilitation costs are substantial and may exceed available coverage. This problem is more pronounced if the other motorist only carries the minimum amount of liability insurance. An attorney can investigate other options for compensation, such as underinsured motorist coverage or suing other liable parties.
• Shifting Blame. Insurance companies might also try to push blame onto the rider. They may claim that a person who rides a motorcycle is assuming risk by doing so, and that the victims are responsible for their own injuries. An attorney can use the available evidence to argue against your relative fault and properly apportion blame.
• Accident Complexity. The other driver could be at fault for the crash. A faulty part on the motorcycle or on the other vehicle could have contributed to the crash. Poorly designed or maintained roads and road surfaces could have contributed. Tracing the ultimate causes of the crash requires a thorough investigation. It is crucial to gather evidence and collect evidence such as accident reports, police reports, and medical records to support your claim and establish liability.
• Bias Against Riders. There is also a large amount of bias against motorcyclists. Riders are perceived as risk-takers, and many automatically assume they must be responsible for accidents. Overcoming this bias can be a challenge for motorcycle injury cases that end up in front of a jury.

Legal proceedings after a motorcycle accident can be lengthy and require professional legal guidance.

How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in New Jersey?

Every state has a time limit on bringing civil lawsuits. This statute of limitations exists to maintain fairness and efficiency in the civil court system. In New Jersey, the statute of limitations for all personal injury claims allows an injured person two years to file suit. Under New Jersey’s statute, this two-year timeframe applies to motorcycle accident lawsuits as well. It is crucial to be aware of Jersey’s statute of limitations to preserve your right to file a claim. Once two years elapse, you won’t be able to file a lawsuit.

Two years might seem like a long time. However, evidence from your case can be lost or destroyed quickly, and it gets exponentially harder to make a claim the longer you wait. By speaking to an motorcycle accident attorney in Newark ASAP, you can start building your case right away and minimize the chances of any payment delays or denials. It is important to act within the timeframe set by New Jersey law to seek compensation for your injuries and losses.

Motorcycle Accident FAQs

Our clients frequently ask questions about motorcycle injury claims and accident liability. If you would like more specific information, contact a motorcycle accident attorney in Newark at Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers. We can answer all your questions and provide guidance on your legal issues.

What Steps Should I Take After a Motorcycle Accident in Newark to Strengthen My Case?

After checking yourself for injuries and contacting the emergency authorities, the next step you should take is to start documenting the accident scene. It is crucial to gather evidence and collect evidence at this stage, including taking photographs, obtaining accident reports, and making sure a police report is filed. Take pictures of vehicle damage and your injuries, as well as important features of the accident scene. Obtain the other motorist’s insurance information and try to get eyewitness contact info in case you need them to make a statement.

Next, schedule a doctor’s appointment. Be sure to obtain and organize your medical records, as these are essential for supporting your insurance claim and establishing the extent of your injuries. You will need a formal diagnosis and copies of your medical documentation when you submit a motorcycle liability claim. Once you have seen a doctor, contact a personal injury attorney at Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers. We can initiate the next steps of the claims process and represent you in insurance negotiations.

How Can a Newark Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Assist Me If My Injuries Are Long-Term or Permanent?

Long-term and permanent injuries have a much higher cost, so motorcycle claims often involve high monetary amounts. These injuries frequently result in significant medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and the need for ongoing physical therapy, all of which can place a heavy financial burden on victims. This fact means motorcycle compensation claims often face intense scrutiny.

Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers will assess the totality of your losses so we can pursue the compensation you deserve. We will push back against insurance companies’ attempts to dispute or deny expenses relating to long-term or permanent injuries. We can also work with expert medical testimony to demonstrate typical costs and limitations associated with permanent motorcycle accident injuries. For complex or permanent injury cases, it is crucial to work with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer to help secure full compensation for your losses.

What Types of Compensation Can I Pursue After a Motorcycle Accident in Newark?

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you can file a motorcycle accident claim to recover damages such as:

• Emergency medical bills and other medical expenses
• Lost work income (e.g., hourly pay/salary, bonuses, commissions, tips, etc.)
• Lost wages
• Differences between pre- and post-injury lifetime expected earnings
• Out-of-pocket injury expenses
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Quality of life reductions

We will search for both typical and atypical sources of remuneration. An attorney can help you pursue a motorcycle accident case to secure insurance benefits and fair compensation for your injuries and losses.

Trusted Motorcycle Accident Representation in Newark

A single bad motorcycle accident can completely change your life for the worse. But there are options for relief, and help is available. As experienced motorcycle accident attorneys at reputable law offices and a leading law firm, Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers has decades of experience working with motorcycle injury clients and can provide legal support when you need it most. Our attorneys have recovered over $500 million for clients, with some of our largest cases involving motor vehicle accidents. Our law firm has the knowledge, resources, and tenacity to pursue your claim to the fullest extent, regardless of the challenges, and are committed to securing maximum compensation for our clients.

Contact Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers online or reach out by phone today at (973) 364-8300 for a free case consultation with an experienced motorcycle crash lawyer. We are available 24/7, so feel free to call whenever is convenient for you. For a free case evaluation with a Newark motorcycle accident attorney, contact our law offices today.

Written by: Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers Last Updated : June 4, 2025