Trenton NJ Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys
Representing Accident Victims in Mercer County and Across New Jersey
Many times, a motorcycle accident is caused by another driver who is negligent or careless. Negligent drivers often fail to adhere to traffic laws. This increases the likelihood of a serious accident. Additionally, it can be difficult for other drivers to recognize motorcycles on the roadway. That’s because motorcycles are smaller than cars and tend to be obscured by other vehicles. However, even if the other motorist did not see your motorcycle, they might still be liable for the resulting motorcycle accident.
Cohen & Riechelson is a highly respected law firm with a rich tradition in New Jersey. Our litigation team has successfully filed personal injury claims on behalf of injured motorcyclists throughout Mercer County, including Lawrence, Hamilton, and West Windsor. We thoroughly prepare every case for trial because we believe that every client deserves the best possible legal representation. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident due to someone else’s negligence, call CR today to find out about your legal options.
High Rate of Motorcycle Accidents in New Jersey
Motorcyclists comprise only 3% of all registered vehicles in the United States but also make up 14% of traffic fatalities. According to Motorcyclist Magazine, a major factor in these cases is due to motor vehicle driver’s negligence. Deaths have increased from 11% to 14% over the last year.
75% of motorcycle accidents occur when a passenger vehicle is involved. Negligent behavior on the part of the motor vehicle driver, such as failing to see the motorcyclist or seeing them too late, advancing improperly to pass the motorcyclist, speeding, distracted driving, and driving while under the influence are the most common reasons the driver of a vehicle causes an accident with a motorcyclist. A motorcyclist will likely be injured at 96% to 98% for multiple and single vehicles, respectively.
In triage, nearly half of those injured were categorized as medium to severe injuries. Injuries to the ankle, knee, hip, foot, calf, and thigh made up 65% of the injuries, and severe injuries to the head, neck, back, and chest were the most life-threatening. The leading cause of death for motorcyclists is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
Negligent Drivers Cause Motorcycle Accidents in Mercer County NJ
When another driver violates your right of way, the end result could be an accident that causes significant property damage and serious injuries. Of course, there are many different kinds of negligence that can cause a motorcycle accident, including all of the following.
Distracted Driving: Many inattentive motorists simply fail to see a motorcycle on the road before making a left turn. In fact, this is one of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents. Moreover, far too many drivers on NJ roads are busy talking on a cellphone, texting, taking photos or filming, eating or drinking, and even putting on make-up while they drive. This can result in a distracted driving accident that causes serious injuries. Distracted driving is one of the most common motives for accidents. With all of those distractions, it is a wonder they can see the other cars around them, let alone a motorcycle.
Drunk Driving: When the driver of a motor vehicle is intoxicated, they pose a serious threat to motorcycle riders because motorcycles are already difficult to spot on the road. When a car weighing approximately 1.5 tons is being operated by someone whose ability to drive is inhibited by alcohol or drugs, there is a definite risk of an accident. Motorcycles are harder to see on the road, and a nighttime jaunt after drinking could be just the ticket for a devastating accident.
Speeding: Speeding is another problem, and it is more serious than most would think. Many motorcycle accidents are caused by motor vehicle drivers who are in a rush and driving at an excessive speed. When you consider the speed limit of an area, do you know how it is determined? Engineers go over every turn, hill, curve, and plain, calculating the safest speed while contemplating entrances and exits of businesses, school zones, parks, and neighborhoods. Sometimes, going 40mph in a 30mph zone can create a dangerous situation. It is about having enough braking time, a speed safe for a curve, and keeping enough distance from the motorcycle in front of you when they slow down to turn. Frequently drivers forget that a posted speed limit isn’t a suggestion; it’s the law.
Failure to Yield: One of the leading causes of negligent drivers causing motorcycle accidents is the failure to yield. It is not uncommon for a motor vehicle driver to cause a motor vehicle accident when they fail to yield. Unfortunately, their failure to yield stems from a belief that motorcycles do not have the same right to the road as operators of cars. Car drivers mistakenly believe that motorcyclists are obligated to yield to them all of the time, which is not valid. Motorcyclists have the same requirements when it comes to who is yielding to whom.
Aggressive driving: This is another among the most frequent causes of accidents between vehicles and motorcyclists. Drivers of passenger cars feel more protected inside their cars and are, therefore, more apt to act aggressively toward motorcyclists who upset them in one way or another. Were it not such a dangerous circumstance, one would say that behavior is not so bad. Tailgating, maneuvering recklessly, brake checking, and other hazardous behavior may lead a driver to cause an accident.
Running a Red Light or Stop Sign: A driver who runs a red light or runs through a stop sign can hit a motorcycle and cause serious injuries.
Rear-End Collision: Motorcycles are capable of stopping much quicker than cars, which means that rear-end collisions are often caused by drivers of automobiles.
Let’s face it, motorcycles are smaller than cars, and sometimes they are not seen by drivers of passenger vehicles, and when drivers are distracted, speeding, under the influence, or otherwise negligent while operating their vehicles, the risks are much higher that an accident will occur.
Securing Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Negligence in Hopewell Township NJ
A negligent or careless driver can be held legally responsible for the damages suffered by other people in an accident. In fact, drivers who cause motorcycle accidents need to be held accountable so that all drivers understand that they must pay attention while on New Jersey roadways.
Additionally, keep in mind that New Jersey is a comparative negligence state. This means that even if both drivers were partially at fault for the accident, you can still sue the other driver.
What Are Some Key Questions That A Lawyer Will Want You To Answer after a Motorcycle Crash?
Obviously, your lawyer’s first concern is your health and well-being. They will need your permission to see your medical records and/or speak with your doctors to get an idea of how severe your injuries are and the treatment you will require. They will ask you about your job if you can work, and how much you make a week or month to estimate damages.
Your lawyer will ask many questions about what happened before, during, and after the accident. Was there anything you did that contributed to the accident? Do you have the other driver’s information? Were there witnesses? Where did it take place? What were the road conditions? How fast were you going? What caused the accident? What did the police say? Has the insurance company contacted you? What are some of your economic losses thus far?
As the case continues, more specific questions will be asked to fill in the gaps or take the case in a direction that is more beneficial for you.
Call for a Free Consultation with Princeton NJ Motorcycle Accident Negligence Lawyers
The motorcycle accident lawyers at Cohen & Riechelson will fight at the negotiating table and in court, if necessary, to protect your legal rights and maximize your compensation. Our attorneys will build your case in such a way as to obtain the maximum damages available to you. Your medical expenses, material losses, lost wages, and pain and suffering should be addressed. A negligent driver should be held responsible for their careless behavior. We are skilled negotiators who play hardball with insurance companies. We are not afraid to go to litigation if we feel their offer is unfair.
Getting back to your everyday life after an accident can be exhausting. We will take up this fight for you and let you focus on healing. Our motorcycle injury lawyers will keep you informed as we build your case piece by piece in Windsor, Ewing, Hopewell, Lawrence, Hamilton, Burlington, Trenton, and across Mercer County and Southern New Jersey.
Call us now to discuss your motorcycle accident claim, or fill out the online contact form to arrange a free, no-obligation meeting at our offices in Hamilton or Pennington, NJ.
