While many people consider driving a motorcycle to be a dangerous proposition, they may not realize that the danger often comes from other motorists, and not from the motorcycle rider themselves. The vast majority of motorcycle accidents occur because other drivers do not see the motorcycle, and pull in front of the motorcycle or change lanes into the motorcycle.
In situations where the driver responsible for a motorcycle accident acted recklessly or negligently (e.g. disobeying traffic laws, driving while intoxicated, etc.), the injured parties may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, emotional and physical pain and suffering, and other related damages through a personal injury claim.
Contact our office today to discuss your unique needs and concerns with a Bloomfield motorcycle accident lawyer.
Motorcycle Insurance Policies and Injury Claims
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident as a motorcyclist, it can be particularly difficult to recover full financial compensation for your damages due to how New Jersey motorcycle insurance policies work. Specifically, New Jersey motorcycle insurance companies do not offer Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance.
This means that you may have very limited coverage through your own insurance policy. You may instead have to rely on an injury claim against the insurance provider of the party responsible for your motorcycle accident.
For a better understanding of your own motorcycle accident policy and what exactly it may cover, contact our Bloomfield attorneys to discuss your situation in a free and confidential consultation.
Partial Fault and Comparative Negligence
One of the tactics used most often by insurance companies during a motorcycle accident claim is to try to assign fault to the injured party. This is because New Jersey’s comparative negligence laws state that compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault that the injured party is determined to have.
Insurance companies may falsely claim that you were driving recklessly, speeding, or failing to obey traffic laws in order to lower the total amount of compensation they will have to pay. This is one of the most important reasons to retain the legal counsel of an experienced Bloomfield motorcycle accident injury attorney during the claims process. Your attorney can help protect you from being assigned fault where no fault exists, and ensure that you receive fair and just compensation for your injuries.
How Are Motorcycle Accidents and Car Accidents Different?
When it comes to car and motorcycle accidents in New Jersey, there are several key differences in the severity of injuries that are often sustained, as well as how insurance policies work for each type of vehicle, and how and when third party claims can be filed.
- Motorcycle accident injuries are often more severe than car accidents because bikers are more susceptible to traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, paralysis, loss of limb, and other serious injuries. These injuries can often have lifelong consequences, making it even more important to recover full and fair compensation.
- Motorcycle insurance is much less comprehensive than auto insurance. Protections such as Uninsured Motorist, Underinsured Motorist, and Personal Injury Protection are not available to motorcycle owners. This can complicate the recovery process.
- The differences between laws regarding cars and motorcycles can be difficult for juries to understand and quantify when coming to a verdict.
These differences are another one of the many reasons you should consult with an experienced Bloomfield attorney anytime you have been injured in a car accident or motorcycle accident that was caused by the reckless or negligent actions of another person or party.
Contact Our Bloomfield Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Today
With more than 50 years of experience helping clients across New Jersey, the personal injury team of Fredson Statmore Bitterman has the legal knowledge, training, and compassion you need to help you recover compensation in the event of a motorcycle accident.
Our offices allow us to represent and successfully recover compensation for injury victims and their families for a wide variety of car accident, truck accident, and motorcycle accident cases, and we are ready to put that experience to work for you and your family today.
Led by a New Jersey Supreme Court-certified civil trial attorney, our team takes all cases on a contingency basis, and we are happy to come to you should your injuries prevent you from meeting with us in our office.
To schedule a free and confidential consultation with a Bloomfield motorcycle accident lawyer today, please contact us online or through our offices.
