According to the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, there were 2,200 motorcycle crashes in New Jersey in 2016, 69 of which ended in a fatality. The Department also reports that, from 2013 to 2017, 82% of people involved in motorcycle crashes were injured.
If you are among the many motorcyclists who are injured in New Jersey every year, you may have legal options. If another driver’s negligence caused your accident, they may be liable for your injuries in a personal injury lawsuit.
A Jersey City motorcycle accident lawyer from Morelli Law Firm may be able to handle your case. This would allow us to pursue compensation on your behalf while you concentrate on recovering from your injuries.
For a free consultation on your case, call Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800.
Motorcycle Accidents Can Cause Significant Damages
The injuries from a motorcycle accident can be more catastrophic compared to those sustained in motor vehicle accidents. This is because the motorcycle victim typically experiences a direct impact to their body. Sometimes a vehicle can run over the motorcyclist in these accidents, causing severe injuries or even death.
Motorcycle accident victims may require ongoing medical treatment to recover from their injuries. Some victims sustain injuries that may disable them for the rest of their lives. Spinal injuries or imputations are amongst the types of disabling injuries that may occur in motorcycle accidents.
Victims of motorcycle accidents may not be able to work during their recoveries. In some cases, their injuries may permanently prevent them from working.
If another party’s negligence is responsible for your injuries, they may owe you compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Fault in a Motorcycle Accident
Establishing fault is an essential stage in a personal injury case. It may not be immediately apparent after a motorcycle accident who was at fault, especially if multiple vehicles or factors were involved in the accident. Sometimes, other party’s may deny their responsibility for the accident.
When a Jersey City motorcycle accident lawyer from Morelli Law Firm handles your case, we can investigate your crash and identify the liable party. We will also gather evidence of their liability to hold them responsible for their actions.
The liable party in a motorcycle accident can include:
Another Motorist
If another driver’s negligence caused your accident, they may be liable for your damages. Driver negligence can include:
- Speeding
- Drunk or intoxicated driving
- Running a stop sign or red light
- An illegal turn
- Distracted driving
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Failure to signal
- Swerving in front of a motorcycle
- Violations of traffic rules
Other Potentially Liable Parties
Depending on what caused your accident, the liable party for your injuries could also be:
- The repair shop that repairs and maintains the motorcycle or another vehicle
- The manufacturer of the motorcycle
- A motorcycle rental company
- The government entity responsible for ensuring the roads are in good and usable condition
- The manufacturer of a component of the motorcycle or safety equipment
It is possible to have multiple responsible parties in a motorcycle accident.
If you sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident, Morelli Law Firm may be able to help you to identify the proper defendants for your case. To discuss your legal options for free with a member of our team, call us today at (212) 751-9800.
Jersey City Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Proving Your Motorcycle Accident Case
A motorcycle accident case may require you to establish the negligence of the at-fault party.
There are four elements of negligence:
- Duty of care
- Breach of duty
- Causation
- Damages
A Jersey City motorcycle accident lawyer from Morelli Law Firm can gather evidence to demonstrate that these four elements of negligence were present in your case when we represent you. This evidence may include:
- Photos or videos from the scene of the accident
- Surveillance or traffic camera footage of the accident
- Witness statements
- Police reports
- Testimony from accident reconstruction experts
- Your medical records
- And more
We can also gather evidence that catalogs the extent of your damages.
Once our investigation into your case is complete, we will present the responsible party’s insurance company with our evidence in settlement negotiations. If they are unwilling to make you a fair offer, we can take your case to trial and defend your rights before a judge or jury.
Recoverable Damages in a Motorcycle Accident Case
The following damages may be available in your motorcycle accident case:
- Ambulance fees and emergency room care
- Medical bills, including all surgeries, treatments, and medications
- Estimated future costs of medical care
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capability
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- And more
To discuss what specific compensation may be available in your case, call Morelli Law Firm for a free consultation.
Contributory Negligence in New Jersey
New Jersey law applies contributory negligence to personal injury lawsuits, per New Jersey Statute (NJ Stat) §2A:15-5.1. This means that, so long as you were less than 50% responsible for your accident, you may be able to recover compensation from the primarily responsible party or parties.
However, your compensation may be reduced according to your percentage of fault. If a judge determines that you are 25% at fault for your accident and that your total damages are worth $400,000, your compensation may be reduced by 25% to $300,000.
Call Morelli Law Firm Today
Motorcycle accidents can have devastating consequences for the victims. If you were harmed in a motorcycle accident caused by another party’s negligence, you are not alone.
A Jersey City motorcycle accident lawyer from Morelli Law Firm can pursue compensation on your behalf when we represent you. We can handle all communications, legal deadlines, and paperwork in your case while you concentrate on recovering from your injuries.
To learn more about our legal services, call Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to Jersey City motorcycle accident victims.