Financial Relief After A Motorcycle Accident
We love to ride in New Jersey. Motorcyclists enjoy the freedom of taking their bikes down the state’s routes and city streets. Unfortunately, though motorcycles have the right to the road as much as four-wheeled vehicles do, far too many careless car and truck drivers crash into riders each year.
Motorcycle accident victims in Ocean and Monmouth counties trust Bedell & Stripto to get the rightful compensation for their injuries. We take pride in getting the job done for all of our clients with efficient and aggressive legal support.
Why Motorcycle Accidents Happen
Some drivers fail to respect motorcyclists’ safety. Here are just a few common causes of motorcycle crashes:
- Cars changing lanes without signaling or looking carefully enough first
- Drivers who try to make a left turn without yielding to an oncoming motorcyclist
- Drivers who fail to notice that the motorcycle in front of them has stopped or slowed down
All of these scenarios have one thing in common: Car and truck drivers either fail to notice that a motorcycle is nearby or fail to acknowledge the rider’s right of way. No matter how defensively and alertly riders act, sometimes they cannot avoid getting hit by a much larger vehicle.
Drivers Vs. Riders
The rider is almost always the most seriously hurt in a motorcycle crash. Virtually all four-wheeled vehicles have seat belts, airbags, crumple zones and other safety equipment. Motorcycles have none of these. Even with helmets, riders are vulnerable to severe brain trauma, spine injuries and other debilitating bodily harm.
Motorcycle Helmet Law In New Jersey
When riding your motorcycle, wearing a helmet can be key to minimizing undue damage to your health if an accident were to unfortunately occur. Never take this simple contraption for granted, as it saves lives. That being said, the type of helmet you choose makes a difference as well, as not all are created equal. In accordance with New Jersey law, all individuals operating or riding as passengers on a motorcycle are mandated to wear a helmet that meets the standards set by the Department of Transportation. These helmets must include a neck or chin strap to ensure secure placement during use. It is also imperative that helmets are reflectorized on both sides to enhance visibility, thereby contributing to the safety of the rider.
While helmet use is compulsory, riders are strongly encouraged to adopt additional protective measures to further safeguard their well-being while navigating New Jersey roads. The use of specialized eye protection, such as goggles or face shields, is recommended to shield against debris and adverse weather conditions. Moreover, clothing designed specifically for motorcycle riding, including jackets, pants and gloves, can significantly reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accident.
Increasing Your Visibility And Other Safety Measures
Motorcycle accidents often occur because drivers of larger vehicles, like buses and trucks, fail to notice motorcycles on the road. To mitigate this risk, it is advisable for motorcycle riders to wear bright clothing and use reflective materials that boost their visibility to other drivers. Additionally, riders should be well-informed about the locations of vehicle blind spots and strive to remain clear of them, thereby diminishing the likelihood of collisions.
In addition, motorcyclists are subject to the same traffic regulations as other road users. Compliance with these rules is crucial in minimizing liability and enhancing safety. Riders should exercise due diligence to observe speed limits, traffic signals and other pertinent regulations. Furthermore, ensuring that motorcycles are equipped with essential safety features is vital. This includes the installation of functional rearview mirrors and properly maintained headlights and taillights to optimize visibility and communication with other road users.
By adhering to these guidelines and recommendations, motorcycle riders in New Jersey can significantly bolster their safety and reduce the probability of accidents.
Answering Your Questions
Many injured drivers have a lot of questions about their accidents and resulting claims, and we have taken the time to answer some of the most common questions we get here:
What should I do immediately after a motorcycle accident?
After an accident, your health should be your first priority. Call the police for the medical attention you or anyone else needs and to receive a police report for the accident. Next, if you are able to safely move about the accident, take photos and videos of the crash and gather recordings of any witness testimony. Be sure to collect the license, insurance and car information of the driver who hit you. Finally, contact our team for the representation you deserve.
What information should I exchange with the other motorist following the accident?
Some information is vital to obtain after an accident, so make sure you exchange contact and address information, insurance details, vehicle information, details of the accident and any information you collected with the other driver. By doing this, you ensure everyone has the information they need after an accident.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident claim in New Jersey?
A victim of an accident has two years from the date of the incident to file a claim, though they should act as soon as possible to file a claim. The sooner you file a claim, the stronger the evidence in your claim can be and the sooner you receive the outcome you deserve in your claim.
What types of compensation can I pursue after an accident?
The goal of a personal injury lawyer is to maximize the compensation their clients earn in their claims. While every settlement in these cases should include the economic and noneconomic costs of the accident, in addition to pain and suffering, we can fight to see that that includes consequences like lost income, loss of earning potential, medical bills, loss of limb, loss of child, loss of consortium and other factors.
How is fault determined after a motorcycle accident?
New Jersey uses the comparative fault system to determine who is at fault in these accidents. As long as someone is more than 50% liable for the accident you are in, they are at fault for your injuries. Insurance findings, police reports and footage of the accident can help determine what percentage of fault each party has in an accident.
Take The First Step Today. Talk To A Skilled Lawyer.
For a free initial consultation with one of our attorneys, please call our office at 732-348-3439. If you prefer, you can email us instead to schedule an appointment. Our office is in Brick, New Jersey, and Toms River, New Jersey, and we represent clients throughout Ocean and Monmouth counties and the Jersey Shore area.