10 Key Facts About Motorcycle Accident Injury Claims in New Jersey

Motorcycle accidents often result in severe injuries, and the costs of recovering from these injuries can be substantial. If you have been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in the Paramus area, here are 25 key facts about your claim for financial compensation:

1. Motorcycle Accidents are Becoming More Common in theNew Jersey.

According to data from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), motorcycle accidents are on the rise. Over the past few years, we have consistently seen more serious and fatal motorcycle accidents in and around Paramus.

2. Motorcycle Accidents are Far More Likely than Other Types of Accidents to Result in Severe Injury or Death.

IDOT’s data also indicate that nearly 99 percent of motorcycle accidents result in injuries or death; and, while motorcycle accidents account for just over one percent of all vehicle collisions, they account for more than 14 percent of all accident-related fatalities.

3. Practicing ATGATT Can Help Protect You, but It Will Not Prevent All Injuries.

While it is recommended that all motorcycle riders follow ATGATT (which stands for “All the Gear, All the Time”), doing so will not necessarily protect you in the event of a crash. Broken bones, road rash, loss of limbs, and other types of severe traumatic injuries can occur even if you are fully clad in high-quality motorcycle riding gear.

4. Even if You Wear a Helmet, You Could Still Suffer a Concussion or Other Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

Likewise, while wearing a helmet can greatly reduce your risk of a severe or fatal head injury, riders who go down can still suffer concussions and other types of traumatic brain injuries (TBI). If you are experiencing symptoms of a concussion or other TBI, it is important that you seek medical attention right away.

5. Motorcycle Riders have the Same Legal Rights as Other Motor Vehicle Drivers and Passengers.

As a motorcycle rider, you have the same legal rights as everyone else on the road. Among other things, this means that you have the right to occupy your lane without interference from other vehicles, and you have the right to recover just compensation when a “cage” driver causes an accident.

6. The Process for Filing a Motorcycle Accident Claim is Similar to Filing a Car Accident Claim.

The process for filing a motorcycle claim is largely the same as the process for filing a car accident claim as well. You should report the accident to your insurance company promptly; and, if the driver who hit you was at fault, his or her insurance company should “subrogate” your insurance company for any amounts paid to you directly.

7. Unfortunately, Many People have a Bias Against Motorcycle Riders.

However, securing payment after a motorcycle accident is rarely this straightforward. In fact, due to the bias against motorcycle riders, securing financial compensation after a motorcycle accident can often be more difficult than securing compensation after any other type of vehicle collision.

8. After a Motorcycle Accident, it is Up to You to Protect Your Legal Rights.

As a result, as an injured motorcycle rider, it is up to you to protect your legal rights. You need to be prepared to fight for what is right, and the best way to do this is to hire an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer to advocate on your behalf.

9. Regardless of the Type of Accident, You May be Entitled to a Financial Recovery.

When seeking compensation for injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident, the nature of your accident is not nearly as important as the cause. High-side accidents, low-side accidents, rear-end collisions, T-bone collisions, and all other types of motorcycle accidents can support claims for financial compensation.

10. There are Some Steps You Need to Take as Soon as Possible.

In addition to speaking with a New Jersey attorney as soon as possible, there are some other steps you should take after a motorcycle accident in NJ as well. These include seeking prompt medical attention, following your doctor’s advice, and writing down as many details about the accident as you can remember.

Get Started with a Free Initial Motorcycle Accident Consultation at Vacardipane & Pinnisi, PC

To schedule your free initial consultation with a New Jersey motorcycle accident attorney, please call (866) 643-1026 or contact us online. One of our attorneys will be happy to meet with you in person to discuss your legal rights in confidence. Remember, you pay nothing unless we win.

Author

Dawn M. Pinnisi is a Managing Partner of the Firm.  She was born and raised in Brooklyn and attended Brooklyn Law School.  Ms. Pinnisi predominantly handles injury claims in New York and New Jersey on behalf of victims of product liability, professional malpractice, and negligence.  She has twenty years of litigation experience advocating for injured clients and has recovered millions of dollars in jury verdicts, settlements, arbitrations, and mediations on behalf of injury victims.