Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents frequently cause catastrophic injuries that change the injured rider’s life forever. If a negligent motor vehicle driver caused the accident, New Jersey laws may enable the motorcyclist to recover compensation from the driver.

At Injury Lawyers of NJ, motorcycle accident lawyers Sheri Breen and Natalie Zammitti Shaw apply more than 50 years of combined personal injury experience to obtain maximum compensation for injured motorcyclists and offer every client extraordinary personal attention and support throughout the entire legal process.

Proving Liability of an At-Fault Motor Vehicle Driver

For a motorcyclist to recover compensation from an at-fault driver, New Jersey law requires the injured victim to prove:

1. The driver owed and breached a duty of care
2. The injuries were caused by the accident
3. The money you deserve for your damages

Establishing these requirements demands specialized legal knowledge and the ability to investigate every detail of the accident.

When a negligent driver was responsible for the accident, an injured motorcyclist can file a claim with the liability insurance company of the driver. Having a skillful and knowledgeable personal injury attorney handle the claim and settlement negotiations is crucial to ensure you receive the maximum compensation possible. Our motorcycle accident lawyers negotiate aggressively with the insurance company, and are prepared to take the case to court if the negotiations do not provide the desired result.

Proving Your New Jersey Motorcycle Accident

Our motorcycle accident lawyer team has the experience and skill to:

• Conduct an investigation
• Analyze the police and accident reports
• Interview witnesses
• Obtain video surveillance in the area
• Recreate the accident scene if necessary
• Hire experts in motorcycle accidents
• Collect and review medical records and reports with your medical experts
• Aggressively negotiate with insurance companies for a settlement you deserve

If you suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident, you need attorneys that are familiar with motorcycle cases and have the specific knowledge to handle the complexity of a motorcycle claim. We understand the negative undertones that go along with being a rider.

New Jersey Comparative Negligence Rule

A complicating factor in a motorcycle accident case is that the New Jersey modified comparative negligence rule, which applies in personal injury cases in the state, may be raised as a defense by the driver. Under the rule, any fault by the motorcyclist may reduce or eliminate compensation, even when the driver was negligent. Insurers actively use comparative negligence issues to try to reduce or deny compensation.

For example, the rule applies if you were not wearing a helmet, which is mandated for all New Jersey motorcycle riders. If you are not wearing a helmet, the insurance company will use that against you to argue your injuries could have been less severe.

Our motorcycle accident lawyer team knows how to address comparative negligence issues during settlement and at trial.

Medical Insurance Coverage in Motorcycle Accidents

New Jersey requires motorcyclists who register a motorcycle to have specific liability coverage, but the state’s no-fault auto insurance laws do not apply to motorcycles and motorcycle accidents. Most motorcycle insurance companies do not even offer optional medical bill coverage called Personal Injury Protection / PIP for motorcyclists. Unless a motorcyclist has voluntary, optional PIP coverage on their motorcycle insurance policy, the injured victim must use their health insurance coverage first to pay for medical and treatment expenses.

Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Fighting for Maximum Compensation — Bridging the Gap from Victim to Victor

Injury Lawyers of NJ is committed to obtaining maximum compensation for our clients. Determining damages in a motorcycle accident case involves calculating damages based on a wide-range losses, including both economic and non-economic losses, such as:

• Permanent disability or disfigurement, such as traumatic brain injury, neck and spinal injuries, fractured bones, paralysis, road rash, and wrongful death
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of consortium (loss of marital companionship and services)
• Past, current, and future medical and treatment bills and expenses
• Current and future lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Cost of long-term rehabilitation treatment
• Property damage, including repair or replacement of the motorcycle

Our motorcycle accident lawyers know how to collect and analyze evidence of how the accident impacts the victim’s well-being and quality of life, in addition to computing the medical and other financial expenses resulting from the accident.

In most motorcycle accident cases, victory comes through a negotiated settlement, rather than in a courtroom verdict. However — unlike many motorcycle accident lawyers who try not to take a case to trial — our attorneys at Injury Lawyers of NJ never hesitate to try a case to verdict when court proceedings are necessary to secure the full compensation the client deserves.

The remarkable proven success of the negotiation and litigation skills of our lawyers is one of the most notable distinctions that sets us apart from other law firms. Our motorcycle accident lawyers also provide every client with the highest level of personal attention and support throughout representation.

What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident

1. Seek medical attention immediately
2. Keep the motorcycle for examination by an expert
3. Photograph and video the accident scene, vehicles and injuries

Time Limit For Filing a Motorcycle Accident Claim

In New Jersey, a two-year statute of limitations applies to motorcycle accident claims. Generally, if you do not file a claim within two years of the date of the accident, you lose the ability to pursue a legal action. Contacting a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible after the accident is the best way to protect your legal interests and recover full compensation.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a NJ Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident, contact our experienced personal injury attorneys to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your case. Our aggressive motorcycle accident lawyer team is here to protect the rights of riders and help clients throughout the State of New Jersey. We are also licensed in the State of New York. For families who lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, our lawyers help with wrongful death claims.

If you retain us to represent you, we take the case on a contingent fee basis. You do not pay us any legal fees unless we recover compensation for you. We welcome you to use the online contact form to schedule a no-cost consultation to discuss your case.