In 2017, Motorcycle accidents increased by 15 percent in New Jersey but reduced in the rest of the country according to the 2018 Governor’s Highway Safety Association report. These types of accidents often lead to serious to fatal injuries because motorcyclists do not have adequate protection.
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NJ Motorcycle Accident Attorney
After most motorcycle accidents police reports often attribute a portion of the blame to the motorcyclist.
This happens because motorcyclists do not have the benefit of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits. The judge and jury may also have the misconception that being a motorcyclist is a thrill seeking sport. Your experienced New Jersey Motorcycle accident lawyer will remind the jurors and the judge that riding motorcycles is a safe and legal means of recreation and transportation in New Jersey.
Motorcycle Accident Injuries in New Jersey
A motorcyclist faces the risk of getting serious injuries even if the motorcyclist is wearing all the necessary protective gear. They do not have a metal shell protecting them like other motor vehicle drivers. Some of the catastrophic injuries that affect motorcycle riders include:
- Fractures
- Brain injuries including concussions
- Spinal cord damage
- Serious skin contusions
- Wrist sprains
- Muscle, tendon and nerve injuries
- Road rash
Some of these injuries may force the victims to use canes, special orthotic shoes or crutches just to be able to walk. Doctors need to use diagnostic imaging tests such as MRIs, CT scans, EMGs, X-rays and other tests to diagnose these injuries. The victims also have to see neurologists, emergency room doctors, chiropractors, orthopedic surgeons, pain management, and physical therapists. Even after these treatments and tests the patient may never recover or take a long time to recover. This is why you need to be compensated to be able to handle all these tests and treatments.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents In New Jersey
There are many causes of motorcycle accidents, but 56 percent of them involved another vehicle and a motorcycle according to the NHTSA. In fact, in 78 percent of the accidents involving another vehicle and a motorcycle, a car hit the motorcyclist head-on. Common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Car hitting a motorcycle when making a left turn
- Lane switching by cars
- Defects on the motorcycle
- Sudden stops
- Speeding
- Opening car doors
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Dangerous road conditions
- Improper motorcycle modifications
- Distracted driving
What Your Lawyer Can Do
A lawyer will review your case to determine how much your motorcycle accident claim may be worth. The lawyer will also conduct thorough investigation with the help of experts. In the investigation, accident scene photos, medical documents, the police report, and witness statements will be collected to determine who was responsible for the accident. To help determine who was at-fault in the accident, your lawyer hire qualified accident reconstruction experts.
So do not conduct solo negotiations with insurance companies because they may offer you a very small amount of compensation. To you the amount may seem substantial in the short term, but it may actually be too little to deal with all the long-term expenses that result from the accident your lawyer will negotiate with insurance companies for you to get maximum compensation you deserve.