Hopewell NJ Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Personal Injury Attorneys with Offices in Hamilton and Pennington, NJ
Motorcycle riders have a right to the roadway. Unfortunately, many motorists do not feel that motorcyclists have the same rights at drivers of cars and trucks. This mentality can create dangerous conditions on the road and lead to motorcycle accidents. It is important for motorcycle drivers to understand how they are perceived by other drivers. It is also important for motorcyclist drivers to be aware of the most common types of motorcycle accidents so that they can take precautions and stay safe while driving. Although motorcyclists are often unfairly blamed for causing motorcycle accidents, the truth is that many motorcyclists are injured in accident due to circumstances beyond their control. In fact, many motorcycle accidents are multi-vehicle accidents.
Cohen & Riechelson is a highly respected law firm with a rich tradition in New Jersey. Our personal injury lawyers have represented motorcycle accident victims in East Windsor, Lawrence, Hopewell, Burlington, Trenton, and everywhere else in Mercer County since 1972. Additionally, our litigation team includes a New Jersey Certified Trial Attorney, so we know how to get the job done in the courtroom. Call our Personal Injury Firm now at (609)-528-2596 now to start exploring your options.
Most Common Types of Motorcycle Accidents
A majority of motorcycle accidents in the State of New Jersey involve two vehicles. More than one-third of motorcycle accidents happen at intersections, especially those with stop signs. New riders are more prone to accidents involving yields and 4-way stops.
Head-on collisions occur when a vehicle hits the front end of a motorcycle. This can be caused when a motorist, when trying to pass another car, hits the motorcyclist or vice versa. These accidents are hazardous because they frequently occur at high speeds. These accidents can happen on sharp curves or if one of the participants is under the influence.
Left-hand turns are a danger and account for one-third of accidents and are particularly dangerous when a motorcycle is in the left lane or lane splitting and the vehicle turning left does not see them. Many of these multi-vehicle accidents are caused by motorists who have a bad attitude when it comes to sharing the road with motorcycles. Operators of cars and trucks might not feel as though motorcyclists have the same right to the road as they do. This kind of outlook can cause motorists to fail to take the necessary safety precautions to avoid a crash.
Rear-end collisions happen in busy traffic areas. The cause is usually distracted driving. A rear-end collision could result if a motorist does not realize the traffic has slowed down or stopped.
In the worst cases, motorcyclists are injured in hit-and-run accidents.
Of course, some motorcycle accidents are single-vehicle accidents. The number one cause of fatalities of motorcyclists is accidents against fixed objects such as parked vehicles, telephone poles, Jersey barriers, and other fixed structures. One-quarter of all motorcycle accident deaths result from this type of accident. These types of accidents are commonly caused by poor road conditions. Road hazards such as snow, ice, rain, gravel, wet leaves, and materials that fall from loading trucks, such as sand or dirt, can cause a motorcyclist to slide, lose control, and crash against other cars, fixed objects, or by themselves.
Unfortunately, DUI is also a major cause of motorcycle accidents. Both motorists and motorcyclists are sometimes to blame. Driving while under the influence puts everyone at risk. Response time is lessened, and the body’s perception of speed is affected. Thirty percent of road fatalities are due to people driving under the influence, and one-third of those were motorcycle accidents.
Lastly, accidents due to speeding are frequent and completely avoidable. Maintaining the posted speed limit keeps everyone on the road safer.
Who Can Be Liable For Different Types of Motorcycle Accidents?
For the most part, negligent motorists are those liable for motorcycle accidents. A driver may run a stop sign or a traffic light and cause a crash. Road rage incidents such as brake-checking, tailgating, or swerving at the motorcyclist to intimidate them are also dangerous behaviors that can cost someone their life. Distracted driving could cause a motorist to drift into another lane, thereby crashing into a motorcycle. Anyone driving under the influence is an accident waiting to happen as judgment and reaction time are hindered under those conditions.
The local government can be held liable if an accident is caused due to bad road conditions, such as large potholes or cracks in the road that could cause a motorcyclist to lose control.
The motorcycle manufacturer could be responsible for a defective part on the bike that caused an accident. This can range from faulty tires to a bad braking system. All automakers are required to n
How Can Negligence Be Established in These Types of Accidents?
All drivers and riders have a duty of care. This means that they must follow all traffic laws and act carefully to protect themselves and others on the road. To prove negligence, one must demonstrate how the at-fault driver or rider was careless or negligent and breached their duty of care. Once a breach has been identified, a direct link must be made between the accident and the victim’s injuries or property loss.
Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Trenton NJ
There is no feeling of freedom like there is when you ride a motorcycle. Feeling the wind blow around you, smelling the fresh air as you seemingly fly to your destination. Unfortunately, it can be a dangerous experience as well. Motorcyclists suffer more serious injuries in an accident than someone in a vehicle. Vehicles have airbags, seatbelts, and a metal frame to protect the driver and passengers, while motorcyclists’ only physical defense is their protective outerwear and helmet.
According to the NJ Department of Law and Public Safety, motorcyclists are almost thirty times more likely than motorists to die in an accident and five times more likely to suffer a serious injury. The latest statistics indicate that motorcyclists going at a speed of 30mph or lower still receive grave injuries. In New Jersey, in 2017, there were approximately 2,200 accidents involving motorcycles, resulting in 70 fatalities. From 2012 to 2017, nearly 12,000 accidents involved motorcycles.
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries. An experienced attorney can help you hold the liable parties responsible and get you compensatory damages for medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. An attorney can also help you seek punitive damages against any negligent parties who caused your motorcycle accident.
An attorney can also prove vital when dealing with complicated insurance issues that often arise in motorcycle accident cases. Insurance companies are notorious for contesting motorcycle accident injury claims. This is especially true when the crash was a single-vehicle accident. An attorney can fight on your behalf throughout the negotiation process and maximize the settlement offer you receive from the insurance company.
Contact a Princeton NJ Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorney for a Free Consultation
Have you been in a motorcycle accident? Do you know someone who was? The motorcycle accident attorneys at Cohen & Riechelson will guide you through the complex legal process and fight to get you compensated for your injuries. We have litigated many personal injury suits and have successfully provided our clients with the monetary award they need to get back on their feet.
Our attorneys are skilled investigators, and we can put your case together by gathering all of the evidence and incorporating the assistance of expert witnesses who will build a solid personal injury case involving a motorcycle collision. Our lawyers know that your lost wages and pain and suffering should be compensated. Additionally, we do not charge any legal fees until you win your motorcycle accident claim.
Call us today to discuss your case over the phone, or email us to schedule a free consultation at our Hamilton or Pennington offices.
