Jersey City Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Being in a motorcycle accident in Jersey City can turn your life upside down. You may suffer severe injuries that require weeks or months in recovery, along with expensive medical bills and missed time at work. At Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC, we represent motorcyclists injured in New Jersey by the careless and reckless acts of others. We can help you pursue the financial compensation and justice you deserve. Learn what to do if you’re in a motorcycle accident in Jersey City. Call (201) 997-0030 today for a free initial consultation.
Motorcycle Accident Guide:
- Do I Need a Jersey City Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
- Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
- Compensation Available in Jersey City Motorcycle Accidents
- Partial Fault in Motorcycle Accidents
- Will Insurance Cover My Claim?
Why You Need a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Hiring a personal injury lawyer can make your motorcycle accident claim more efficient and effective. Your lawyer will know how to navigate the justice system for the best possible results, all at minimal time, cost, and impact on you. A Jersey City personal injury lawyer can take over complicated legal processes for you, such as:
- Investigating your motorcycle crash
- Preserving and collecting evidence
- Identifying the defendant
- Completing claims paperwork
- Hiring qualified experts
- Building a compelling case claim for damages
From negotiating with an auto insurance company to addressing your questions and concerns, your attorney can handle many important matters for you while you concentrate on healing.
New Jersey Motorcycle Accidents
In 2019, 5,014 motorcyclists died in crashes in the United States according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This accounted for 14% of all traffic fatalities. Many accidents were caused by a lack of helmet use.
In 2018, there were 564 people killed in New Jersey due to fatal vehicle crashes. Of those, 53 were motorcycle fatalities. Over 35% of motorcycle drivers were under the influence of alcohol.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle accidents are often catastrophic in terms of the injuries they inflict, meaning a victim may experience the aftereffects of the injuries for life. Motorcyclists are at a much higher risk of death in motor vehicle accidents than passenger vehicle occupants. With little to no protection, a motorcyclist can easily suffer life-changing injuries, including:
- Bone fractures
- Crush injuries
- Lower extremity injuries
- Muscle, tendon, and other soft-tissue injuries
- Head trauma and concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Nerve damage
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Road rash and friction burns
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
A motorcyclist can sustain severe injuries even with protective gear such as a helmet, boots, jacket, and vest. Accident injuries can cost thousands of dollars in medical care, especially if the injury is permanent and will require ongoing treatment or rehabilitation. Even a minor motorcycle accident injury can result in significant physical pain and medical expenses.
How to Pursue Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident in Jersey City, NJ
After a motorcycle accident in New Jersey, you may be able to obtain financial compensation from one or more parties for your injuries and losses. To hold someone else legally responsible, or liable, for your accident, you will have to qualify to file a lawsuit outside of New Jersey’s no-fault insurance system.
The no-fault system requires an injured person to seek financial compensation from his or her own auto insurance provider, regardless of fault for the collision, unless the victim’s injuries are serious enough or the victim has purchased “unlimited right to sue” insurance. State law gives an accident victim the right to file a third-party claim for injuries that are significant or permanent. Although “unlimited right to sue” insurance is more expensive than “limited right to sue,” it can enable you to hold someone else liable for a crash.
If you qualify, a motorcycle accident attorney can help your case by going up against the at-fault party, such as a careless or distracted driver, in pursuit of compensation. An experienced motorcycle and delivery vehicle accident attorney in Jersey City can help you pursue financial compensation for your present and future medical bills, lost wages, motorcycle repairs, out-of-pocket expenses, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and more.
Types of Compensation Available for a Motorcycle Crash
There may be various types of compensation available to motorcyclists who sustain injuries caused by the actions of another driver in Jersey City. Our motorcycle accident attorneys work diligently to recover maximum compensation on behalf of our clients, and this includes both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages refer to the calculable expenses that a person incurs after a Jersey City motorcycle accident. These are calculable because we can look at bills and receipts that come in after the incident occurs, and commonly include the following:
- Past, current, and future expected medical bills
- Lost income if a motorcycle crash victim cannot work
- Property damage expenses
- Medical devices and prescription medications
- Physical therapy or rehabilitation
- Any out-of-pocket expenses caused by the crash
Non-economic damages refer to more immeasurable losses a Jersey City motorcycle crash victim is likely to experience. There may not be direct bills or receipts that can be added up to calculate certain types of expenses, including a motorcycle crash victim’s:
- Physical pain and suffering damages
- Emotional and psychological distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
There is no set amount of compensation available for Jersey City motorcycle crash victims. Rather, how much money a person receives for a successful claim will vary depending on several factors, including the severity of the injuries, the level of property damage, whether or not there was any shared fault between multiple parties and more.
What if You Were Partially At-Fault for the Crash?
In the event you were partially responsible for causing a motorcycle crash, you may still be able to recover compensation. New Jersey operates under what is called a “modified comparative negligence” system. This means that a person can recover compensation so long as their own negligence is not greater than that of the other person and so long as they are not 50% or more responsible for causing the incident.
However, the total amount of compensation available in these circumstances will be reduced depending on the person’s percentage of fault. For example, if an individual sustains $200,000 worth of medical expenses and property damage losses, but they were found to be 10% responsible for causing the incident due to equipment failure, they would receive $180,000 instead of the full $200,000 to account for their percentage of fault.
Will Your Insurance Cover the Claim?
Every motorcyclist in the state of New Jersey is required to carry insurance to remain legal on the roadway. Under New Jersey State law, motorcyclists must carry the following types and minimums:
- $15,000 for bodily injury per person
- $30,000 for bodily injury to two or more people
- $5,000 for damage to property
This insurance is in place to cover a motorcyclist if they cause an accident on the roadway. However, if a motorcyclist is injured due to the negligent actions of another driver, they will turn to the other driver’s insurance carrier to recover compensation for their medical bills and property damage expenses. Additionally, some motorcyclists choose to carry uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, even though this type of coverage is not required by state law. These additional types of coverage do provide significant protection in the event you are struck by an uninsured driver or if the other driver’s insurance policy limits are not enough to cover your expenses.
Injured in a Jersey City Motorcycle Accident? Help Is Available
If you or a loved one has serious injuries from a recent motorcycle accident in Jersey City or, contact us today. At Brady Reilly & Cardoso, LLC, we offer initial consultations for free and operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay your attorney a cent in legal fees unless he or she wins your case. That’s our no-fee guarantee. We can answer your questions and address your concerns in the confusing aftermath of a motorcycle crash in New Jersey. Call (201) 997-0030 to speak to one of our attorneys today.