Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in New Jersey

When a motorcycle collides with a car or truck, the unprotected rider almost invariably suffers injuries, which are typically severe. The following are some of the most common injuries sustained in a motorbike accident:

• face fractures as a result of road rash
• Bruises, 
• burns, 
• limb loss, 
• spinal cord injuries, 
• paralysis, 
• traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Injuries can range from minor to severe, but they all result in medical expenditures and lost work time, which can be financially draining. An competent attorney can be extremely beneficial in this situation.

The number of fatal motorcycle accidents outnumbers the number of motorbikes on the road as a percentage of all vehicles. So, why are there so many motorcycle fatalities every year?

The solution is straightforward. Motorcyclists, on the other hand, are extremely vulnerable in the event of an accident. They are not protected by the metal, cushions, or tonnage provided by other vehicles. Furthermore, all motor vehicles on the road outweigh motorbikes, resulting in a higher impact on the motorcycle in the event of a collision.

Motorcyclists might be seriously hurt or killed if they are hit by other vehicles or thrown off their motorcycle.

Furthermore, many motorcyclists do not use sufficient protection gear. Helmets for motorcycles protect riders from head injuries. While they are compulsory for riders under the age of 21, riders over the age of 21 are exempt if they purchase a $10,000 medical insurance policy.

Motorcycle accidents are very common. The Fort Myers area recorded 296 motorcycle accidents in one recent year. That’s more than five accidents per week, just in our area. Ten of these accidents claimed a life.

In the entire state, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles recorded 9,122 motorcycle accidents in just one year. A total of 531 of those accidents claimed a life. That’s more than 5 percent.

Nationwide, fatal motorcycle accidents have spiked in the last two decades. Deaths in motorcycle accidents constituted 14 percent of all deaths from motor vehicle accidents in one recent year, which is more than double the deaths from ten years ago, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). Across the U.S., 4,985 fatal motorcycle crashes occurred in one year.

Motorcycle accidents are very common. The Fort Myers area recorded 296 motorcycle accidents in one recent year. That’s more than five accidents per week, just in our area. Ten of these accidents claimed a life.

In the entire state, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles recorded 9,122 motorcycle accidents in just one year. A total of 531 of those accidents claimed a life. That’s more than 5 percent.

Nationwide, fatal motorcycle accidents have spiked in the last two decades. Deaths in motorcycle accidents constituted 14 percent of all deaths from motor vehicle accidents in one recent year, which is more than double the deaths from ten years ago, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). Across the U.S., 4,985 fatal motorcycle crashes occurred in one year.

Motorcycle accidents are very common. The Fort Myers area recorded 296 motorcycle accidents in one recent year. That’s more than five accidents per week, just in our area. Ten of these accidents claimed a life.

In the entire state, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles recorded 9,122 motorcycle accidents in just one year. A total of 531 of those accidents claimed a life. That’s more than 5 percent.

Nationwide, fatal motorcycle accidents have spiked in the last two decades. Deaths in motorcycle accidents constituted 14 percent of all deaths from motor vehicle accidents in one recent year, which is more than double the deaths from ten years ago, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). Across the U.S., 4,985 fatal motorcycle crashes occurred in one year.

• • Collisions. Collisions with other vehicles account for more than half of all motorcycle fatalities. A motorcycle can be hit from the side, rear-ended, side-swiped, or hit head-on in a collision. Motorcycle riders are frequently killed in head-on incidents.
  • Accidents involving left-hand turns. Left-hand turns are responsible for about 40% of motorcycle accidents. Many motorists fail to notice the presence of a motorcycle in the same manner that they do cars. A car may be facing a motorcyclist who has the right-of-way to go straight through a stop sign, yet will nevertheless make a left turn directly into the motorcycle’s path. When a motorcyclist passes by the intersection from which the vehicle intends to turn, left turning drivers can be risky since they may turn directly into the motorcycle (or into its path) without seeing it.
  • Splitting lanes. It’s unsafe to drive between lanes of stopped or even slowing automobiles. Why? Not all vehicles will be able to see your motorcycle. They may change lanes or swerve close to the lane’s outer boundary, striking you. Furthermore, even if other vehicles see you, they have significantly less room to swerve to avoid you if you’re traveling between lanes.
  • Speeding. Speeding causes accidents because it makes it more difficult to navigate or stop in time if another vehicle or obstruction arrives. Speeding increases the likelihood of a motorcycle colliding with another vehicle, an item, or the road. According to III, speeding is a factor in 17 percent of all accidents.
  • Alcohol or other narcotics Alcohol or other drugs can impair your judgment, ability to navigate safely, awareness of danger, and reflexes if consumed in excess. According to III, 26% of motorcyclists killed in collisions with other vehicles had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08, the legal limit for intoxication. At that level or greater, motorcyclists might be arrested for driving under the influence. In single vehicle fatal motorcycle accidents, 39 percent of the riders had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or above.
  • Objects that cannot be moved. Motorcyclists are at risk from a variety of stationary objects, including barricades, trees, poles, parked automobiles, and so on. While they are dangerous to all motorists, they are especially dangerous to motorcyclists, since the rider can easily be thrown from the bike or collide with the objects. Collisions with stationary objects account for roughly 25% of fatal motorcycle accidents.
  • Hazards on the road Motorcyclists might be put in risk by everyday road conditions. Cars can safely drive on wet or icy pavement with care; however, the same conditions are significantly more dangerous for a motorcycle rider. Motorcycles can also skid or spin off on roads that are in bad condition, including potholes, uneven levels, and unrepaired places.
  
  

  Motorcyclists may also hit with roadside objects such as old tire tread, animals struck by vehicles, or truck cargo that has fallen. All of these things can endanger a motorcycle rider.

Injuries that could occur include:

• Cuts
• Bruises
• Sprains
• Rashes on the road
• Bones are broken.
• Injuries to the spinal cord
• Various types of traumatic brain injuries
• Damage to the nerves
• Internal wounds
• Loss of limbs is a common occurrence.
• Damage to or loss of vision
• Scarring and deformity are common side effects of surgery.
• Burns 
• Coma

Motorcyclists involved in an accident should follow the same rules as all other drivers in New Jersey. If you are conscious, call 911 (or local law enforcement) right away to report the accident.

Do not flee the area. Leaving the site of an accident that has resulted in injury, death, or property damage is illegal in New Jersey. All motorists should pull over to the side of the road, offer reasonable aid to those who are hurt, and present their identification and insurance information.

When you dial 911, emergency first responders will be dispatched to a major accident. Allow them to take you to an emergency room if they think you need to go (the laws against leaving the scene of an accident do not apply in this case).

Stay at the site to speak with law enforcement if the emergency team judges that you are not enough harmed to need emergency hospital treatment. They’re going to file a police report. Make certain you have a copy.

To law enforcement, show your driver’s license and registration.

All other drivers should exchange contact and insurance information.

Take pictures of the accident site, including the location, weather, and all vehicles, if you have a smartphone. Taking pictures of your injuries is also a good idea.

If you don’t have access to a smartphone, make notes on the accident as soon as possible, including what happened, what you recall, and the extent of your injuries.

If there are any eyewitnesses, you should also get their contact information.

After you’ve done that, make an appointment with a doctor as soon as feasible. Even if you don’t feel or appear to be hurt, do this. Concussions and broken ribs are examples of injuries that don’t show symptoms for a long time. Only a doctor can tell if you’ve been hurt or not.

Keep all accident records, including police reports, information from other drivers, eyewitness accounts, photographs, and medical records.

The laws governing motorbike insurance in New Jersey are complicated. Before registering a vehicle with four or more wheels, the state requires that the driver acquire personal injury protection and property damage liability auto insurance. For these vehicles, the state uses a no-fault insurance system, which means that in the event of an accident resulting in harm, drivers must first contact their own insurer for coverage.

Motorcycles are subject to many of the same insurance regulations as cars in many states. New Jersey, on the other hand, does not. Motorcycles are not covered by no-fault legislation because they are not four-wheeled vehicles.

As a result, if you are wounded in a motorbike accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you can either seek compensation from the responsible party’s insurance provider or file a personal injury lawsuit.

The term “negligence” refers to the failure of the other party to exert the level of care that a reasonably sensible person would have exercised. For example, a speeding driver who rear-ends you is arguably negligent because speeding is both illegal and dangerous. Negligent parties are liable—financially liable—for the damages that their acts produce.

It’s also worth noting that motorbike accidents aren’t always caused by other drivers. Defective components and equipment can also cause motorcycle accidents, in which case the producer of the parts and equipment may be held accountable.

If you want to prove that another party was irresponsible, you’ll need records and other information. Keep all police reports and other information you get from the authorities. Keep all of your accident-related notes and photos. All medical records should be kept. All of these can be used to prove that someone was negligent.

The at-fault party’s insurance carrier must determine that its insured was at fault in order to get reimbursement, which requires evidence.

Insurance firms frequently argue that their insured was not at fault, even though they were. This is one of the reasons why persons who have been wounded should maintain all accident records. Insurance firms are also skilled at persuading insured customers to accept a settlement that is less than their claim is worth.

Victims might file a personal injury lawsuit if the insurance company refuses to settle for a reasonable price. In that situation, a judge and jury examine the evidence before deciding how much money the wounded individual should receive. A personal injury lawsuit frequently includes expert testimony about the victim’s injuries, prognosis, and the impact of the injuries on the victim’s life.

Insurance companies or litigation can often provide the following compensation to injured people:

• Expenses for doctor’s appointments, hospitalization, surgery, prescription medicine, physical therapy, and other medical services;
• Medical costs that will be incurred in the future;
• Wages lost as a result of the accident at work;
• Future earnings are likely to be lost as a result of work; and
• Suffering and pain.

While riding a motorbike can be risky, we understand that many individuals like riding their motorcycles beneath New Jersey’s blue skies on a spring day—or any other season.

By following these tips, you can make your ride safer.

• Put on a helmet. Although New Jersey motorcyclists aged 21 and up can opt out of the legislation requiring them to wear a helmet by acquiring medical insurance with a benefit amount of $10,000 or more, this is just not a smart idea. Motorcyclists have been shown to be safer while wearing a helmet. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it reduces the risks of a motorcyclist being killed by 37 percent in the event of an accident. Riding without a helmet puts you at danger of not just death, but also significant injury that can have a long-term impact on your life. Riding without a helmet increases your chances of suffering a TBI, skull fractures, head wounds, and other serious injuries.
• Wear protective gear. While not all riders are required to wear helmets, it is a global law to wear appropriate eye protection (as determined by the state Department of Transportation). Dirt, dust, wind, gravel, inclement weather, fog, and the sun can all damage your visibility and ability to operate the bike if you don’t use eye protection. These components can also cause substantial eye injury, whether or not they cause an accident—and they can easily induce a crash.
• It is not a good idea to drink and drive. If you’re driving under the influence, your chances of getting into an accident increase dramatically. The same goes for riding a motorcycle while under the influence of illegal drugs.
• Don’t drive while you’re distracted. Driving while distracted is dangerous. While New Jersey’s distracted driving legislation does not specifically include cell phone use, it does make it criminal to fail to pay attention to the road and other drivers. It makes it illegal to send or receive data using a digital gadget. Other sources of manual, visual, and cognitive distraction are also prohibited. To put it another way, don’t be so taken aback by New Jersey’s beauty that you don’t notice the road in front of you.
• Make yourself visible. Motorcyclists must increase their visibility because cars don’t seem to register motorcycles the same way they do other vehicles. At night, always drive with your lights on. Dress in vivid colors. Bright, reflective designs can be added to your helmet and bike.
• Driving defensively is a good idea. Defensive driving is usually a good idea, but it’s especially important for motorcyclists. Motorcyclists must consider what other drivers might do that could endanger them. Is it possible that you’re pulling out without recognizing you have the right of way? You’ve made the decision to change lanes into yours. Always be on the lookout for chances.

If you require any information, please contact our New Jersey motorcycle accident attorneys right away.

At David A. DiBrigida, LLC, this is never an issue. We take every New Jersey motorcycle accident case on a contingency basis, which means our clients pay no up-front or out-of-pocket expenses. You only pay us if your case is successfully settled or won. Even so, our charge is a percentage of the overall award. There’s nothing to lose!

During your free consultation, we will go over all of our billing practices in further detail before you sign anything or decide to hire us.