Hopewell NJ Motorcycle Accident Damages and Compensation Attorneys
Motorcycle Accident Injury Lawyers with Offices in Hamilton and Pennington, NJ
Compensation for your motorcycle accident is supposed to make you whole. In other words, you should end up in the same position you occupied prior to the accident. Of course, this isn’t always possible. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced attorney who will argue on your behalf and help you maximize compensation. Additionally, your attorney should be skilled at negotiating because damages and compensation are often negotiated during a settlement process that occurs before the case is tried in court.
Cohen & Riechelson is a highly respected law firm with a rich tradition in New Jersey. We have more than 40 years of experience assisting motorcycle accident victims in Mercer County, NJ, including Hamilton, East Windsor, and Hopewell Township. Our litigation team includes a New Jersey Certified Civil Trial Attorney. Call CR today at (609) 528-2596 to speak with one of our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys about your case. We are pleased to provide you with a free consultation.
Types of Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Mercer County, New Jersey
The compensation for a motorcycle accident varies, depending upon the nature of the accident and the severity of your injuries. If you were involved in a motorcycle accident in New Jersey, you may be able to file a claim for damages, including:
Medical Bills
Serious motorcycle accidents often result in injuries which require immediate, and expensive, medical treatment. Beyond the emergency room visit, you might also need extensive rehabilitative care. Medical bills stemming from a motorcycle accident often place a severe burden on the victim and their loved ones. Medical bills related to the injuries sustained in the accident, including emergency room fees, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, medications, and ongoing medical treatment, are common damages.
Future Medical Care
The most serious motorcycle accidents can result in chronic injuries. These injuries generally require ongoing care, which can be extremely expensive. In addition to requiring long-term physical therapy, you might need crutches braces, a wheelchair, and constant pain medication.
Lost Wages
If you or a passenger is unable to work due to the injuries sustained in the accident, you can seek compensation for lost wages and any future loss of earning capacity. You may be unable to work for several months, and when you go back to work, changes may need to be made to accommodate a temporary or permanent injury. If you are temporarily unable to perform essential functions of your job, you might go without a paycheck in the weeks and months that follow your motorcycle accident. If the motorcycle accident results in a permanent injury, you might find it difficult to continue working at all. An attorney can make sure that income continuation is factored into your compensation.
Physical Pain and Suffering
If your motorcycle accident caused painful physical injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for your physical and emotional anguish. Compensation can be awarded for physical and emotional pain and suffering caused by the accident, including the loss of enjoyment of life and any future effects of the injuries.
Emotional Trauma
If your motorcycle accident injuries are severe and long-lasting, you might suffer emotional and psychological trauma. Many motorcycle accident victims have to deal with depression and anxiety in the months and years after the accident. If you need help with the stress, anxiety, or depression that frequently accompanies an accident, you can request payment for treatment for that as well.
Loss of Companionship
When a motorcycle accident causes catastrophic injuries, it might become difficult, or even impossible, to maintain a healthy relationship with your spouse. In these cases, you might be entitled to compensation for loss of companionship. When your injuries are particularly grave, leaving you disabled, you can also seek damages for loss of companionship. Catastrophic injuries such as brain injuries that cause cognitive problems, mobility issues such as spine or neck damage causing paralysis, or others that contribute to the detriment of a healthy relationship with your partner, you may receive compensation for the loss of companionship.
Property Damage
Motorcycle accidents often result in significant damage to the motorcycle. Property damage to the motorcycle, other vehicles involved in the accident, and any other property damaged in the accident can be included in your request to pay damages. If your motorcycle was damaged in the accident, you will need compensation to cover the costs of repairs. Motorcycles usually have much more damage when compared to that of a vehicle. You might also be entitled to the costs of a rental vehicle while you wait for the repairs. If your motorcycle was destroyed in the accident, you may be entitled to compensation for motorcycle replacement.
Wrongful Death
If your loved one was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident, you may need to pursue a wrongful death claim against the negligent driver. These are damages awarded to the family or estate of the deceased person to compensate for the losses resulting from the death. These losses may include funeral expenses, medical expenses, lost income, and other costs associated with the death, such as loss of consortium. The loss experienced by a family in terms of companionship, child care, child raising, and support is part of the loss of consortium.
Punitive Damages
In some cases, punitive damages may be awarded in addition to compensatory damages to punish the at-fault party for extreme reckless or intentional behavior, as in the case of road rage or racing.
Keep in mind that the amount of damages you can recover may be affected by New Jersey comparative negligence laws. This means that if you were partially responsible for the motorcycle accident, you might be limited in the amount of compensation that you can obtain.
Who is Responsible for Paying Damages in a Motorcycle Accident Case?
In determining fault and liability for a motorcycle accident, negligence will be a crucial factor that the courts will consider. The party who was negligent and, therefore, responsible for the accident, may be required to compensate the injured party for their damages.
Negligence can play a significant role in motorcycle accidents. When a person’s actions or lack of actions fall below the level of care that a reasonable person would take, they can be considered negligent. This negligence can cause or contribute to an accident.
In the context of a motorcycle accident, negligence can take many forms. For example, a driver who fails to check their blind spot before changing lanes and collides with a motorcycle in the next lane can be considered negligent. Similarly, a driver distracted by their phone or other devices and hits a motorcyclist can be held accountable for their negligence.
Motorcyclists can also be considered negligent in some cases. For example, a motorcyclist who is speeding or weaving in and out of traffic can be held responsible for an accident they cause.
Impact of Insurance Coverage on Motorcycle Accident Settlements
All vehicles in New Jersey must be insured. Motorcyclists need minimum liability coverage of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for bodily injury, allowing $5,000 for material damage. Many insurance companies offer options for greater amounts that protect your losses and medical coverage of up to $25,000. Some health insurance companies will pay for some of your medical treatments.
Additionally, underinsured or uninsured coverage will pay for your damages if you are in an accident with someone without insurance or whose coverage isn’t enough. This kind of insurance can make a big difference in the amount you can get for compensation.
Importance of Causation when Seeking Motorcycle Accident Damages
Determining the cause of a motorcycle accident is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it can help you understand what happened and how the accident occurred. This understanding can help you identify any contributing factors and any actions that could have been taken to prevent the accident.
Secondly, identifying the cause of the accident can help you determine who is at fault. If the accident was caused by the negligence of another party, such as a driver of a car or a truck, then they may be held liable for your damages. If the accident was caused by your own negligence, then you may be partially or fully responsible for the damages.
Thirdly, determining the cause of the accident is essential for pursuing compensation for your injuries and damages. If you can prove that the other party was at fault, you may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages related to the accident.
Finally, understanding the cause of the accident can help prevent future accidents. If the accident was caused by a road hazard, such as a pothole or loose gravel, then reporting it to the appropriate authorities can help prevent future accidents. Similarly, if the accident was caused by another driver’s negligence, raising awareness about the importance of sharing the road safely can help prevent similar accidents from occurring.
Speak with a Trenton NJ Motorcycle Accident Injury Lawyer Today
Cohen & Riechelson is ready to assist you with your motorcycle accident claim and help you secure compensation for your injuries in Lambertville, Princeton, Burlington, Woodbridge, Lawrence, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Burlington County, and throughout New Jersey.
Moreover, we handle all personal injury cases on a contingency basis; we only get paid if you get paid. Call CR now to discuss your motorcycle accident case with one of our experienced litigators. Simply call (609) 528-2596 now for assistance. You can also fill out the online contact form to schedule a free consultation at our Hamilton or Pennington office.
