Motorcycle Accident FAQs: Mercer and Middlesex County Attorneys Review
At Cohen & Riechelson, our team is experienced in representing clients in Trenton, Princeton, Hamilton, and the greater Mercer County area in personal injury claims resulting from a motorcycle collision.
Being out on the road submits you to the risk of being in an automobile accident, but if you are on a motorcycle, your chances of being in an accident are much higher. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), nearly 5,000 motorists were killed in accidents in 2018, and motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die in an auto accident than those in a passenger vehicle. In fact, there is an average of 88,000 motorcycle accidents per year, according to NHTSA.
Even a minor motorcycle accident can cause huge damages, and if you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, it is important to seek the support of a skilled personal injury attorney to recuperate the compensation that you are legally entitled to.
Motorcycle-specific Risks
Motorcycles are, of course, much less stable than their four-wheeled counterparts. Because of their instability and open exposure, motorcycles run certain risks that passenger vehicles face to a lesser extent:
- Condition of the roads – Motorcycles are much more at risk of getting in an accident due to road conditions, such as gravel, potholes, ice, and unexpected residue in the roads.
- Potential for non-visibility – One common cause of motorcycle accidents is collisions caused by a passenger vehicle or truck that does not see the motorcycle. The added navigating a motorcycle does between cars amplifies this risk.
- Dangerous driving – While not all motorcycle drivers are susceptible to this temptation, many drivers advantaged the potential for speed and agility that a motorcycle offers, and put themselves and others at risk of accident with dangerous driving behavior. Additionally, because managing the balance of a motorcycle requires training and practice, many novice drivers take to the road without knowing how to properly navigate a motorcycle.
How to protect yourself from injury on a motorcycle?
- Wear protective gear – The most important thing to protect while out on the road on a motorcycle is your head. The Centers for Disease Control reports that wearing a helmet reduces the risk of head injuries by 70 percent and the risk of death by 40 percent. Clearly, having a properly secured helmet can mean the difference between life and death in a collision. New Jersey abides by a universal helmet law, meaning that all motorcyclists on the road are required to wear protective headgear.
As if the cause for safety weren’t enough to remind motorcyclists of the need to wear a helmet, there may be financial implications to doing so. You can seek to increase the accident claim against the at-fault driver in a collision if you were wearing a helmet and still sustained head or neck injuries. In the absence of wearing a helmet, the other driver’s insurance adjuster could argue that your injuries were preventable.
Other protective gears such as leather jackets and clothing designed for motorcyclists cover your arms and legs, reducing your risk for certain injuries. Also, biking goggles or glasses are an essential element for the safety of any motorcyclist.
- Take to the road prepared – New Jersey requires a motorcycle license to drive on public roads. To get one, you will need to show that you have basic motorcycle skills. Not required, however, is professional motorcycle operation training. However, the risk of accident and injury is greatly decreased when professional training has been completed.
- Keep your motorcycle serviced – Having a properly functioning motorcycle is essential for your own safety and that of drivers around you. Have your vehicle regularly maintained to prevent accidents.
- Use extra precaution – Motorcycle drivers know that they pose a greater risk for injury in the case of an accident. If you are operating a motorcycle, be a particularly defensive driver.
What if I am in a Motorcycle Accident?
If you are in a collision, immediately call 911 or have an available party call. Seek immediate medical support at the scene of the accident; motorcyclists are more likely to be injured in a collision, so even if it initially appears that you have only minor injuries, allow yourself to be checked. There could be unseen injuries such as internal bleeding that can be deadly if not treated immediately. If you do not go to the hospital directly from the scene of the accident, schedule a medical exam within 24 hours to ensure that you are physically safe. This medical evaluation will also show that your injuries were indeed sustained in the accident, a claim an insurance adjuster might try to deny if you do not receive immediate medical support.
Gather information at the scene of the accident if possible. Any evidence that could support your injury claim, such as the at-fault driver’s contact and insurance information, as well as witness contacts, is important to gather. Take photos of the scene from many angles, with timestamps if possible. Contact your personal injury lawyer to file a personal injury claim, and your insurance company to file an accident claim.
Contact a Mercer and Middlesex County Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
At Cohen & Riechelson, our team is experienced in representing clients in Trenton, Princeton, Hamilton, and the greater Mercer County area in personal injury claims resulting from a motorcycle collision.
To schedule a consultation with a member of our firm today and begin your road to recovering damages caused in your accident, please contact us online or through our Hamilton office at 609.528.2596.