Motorcycle Accidents

If you ride a motorcycle or have a loved one who does, you know that there are many reasons why people choose motorcycles as their preferred method of transport—and sometimes as their favorite hobby. Motorcyclists will tell you that there’s nothing quite like the open road, and if you’ve ever ridden on one, you know that they have a point.

Unfortunately, motorcycles are very accident-prone. Moreover, because motorcycle riders are far less protected than car drivers, motorcycle accidents often lead to far more grievous injuries for riders and their passengers than car accidents do—even when the accident wasn’t their fault. In fact, studies have shown that in accidents where there are multiple vehicles involved, car drivers tend to be at-fault more than motorcycle riders. Still, motorcycle riders take on far more casualties and serious injuries: the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that motorcycle accident deaths occur around 28 times more frequently than car accident deaths.

What Types Of Injuries Are Most Common In Motorcycle Accidents?

Motorcycle accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, ranging in severity from scratches and bruises to death. The most common injuries between those two extremes include:

• Soft tissue injuries (such as “road burn” or “road rash”)
• Spinal injuries
• Head and neck injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Back injuries
• Hip and pelvis injuries
• Injuries to the hands (including fingers and wrists), feet (including ankles and toes), and knees
• Crush injuries and internal organ damage
• Burn-related injures

Depending on the severity of the injuries and the trauma incurred during the accident, survivors may come away from motorcycle accidents with lifelong, debilitating conditions. This may include physical conditions, such as paralysis, immobility, chronic pain, and TBI-related cognitive impairment, as well as emotional and psychological injuries, up to and including PTSD and reduced quality of life.

If I Have Been Injured In A Motorcycle Accident And It Wasn’t My Fault, Can I Make A Personal Injury Claim?

Yes, you can make a personal injury claim for motorcycle accidents, especially those in which you were not at-fault. These claims can be brought by the injured person, or—if the injured person passes away—by a family member or spouse of the deceased.

What Sort Of Damages Are Available In A Motorcycle Accident Personal Injury Case?

Each personal injury case is unique, but there are generally a range of damages available to survivors of motorcycle accidents. These may include:

• Medical expenses (including both past medical expenses and in some cases, future projected medical expenses)
• Lost wages (including both lost wages to-date and in some cases, projected future earnings)
• Compensation for pain and suffering caused by the injury, including emotional distress.
• Loss of consortium damages (awarded to the injured or deceased person’s spouse for loss of services that the person once provided and is now unable to provide)

In rare cases where the responsible party acted with extreme or egregious recklessness, you may also be able to pursue punitive damages, which exist to punish that sort of behavior.

Is There A Time Limit For Filing A Motorcycle Personal Injury Case In New Jersey?

Yes: in the State of New Jersey, you have two years from the date of the motorcycle accident and injury to file a personal injury claim. If you miss this deadline, you will lose your chance to file your claim.

I Was Injured In A Motorcycle Accident And Want To Seek A Personal Injury Claim. What Do I Do Now?

If you or a loved one was injured in a motorcycle accident and you believe that you have a personal injury claim, it is absolutely essential to reach out as soon as possible to an experienced, knowledgeable personal injury attorney who is well-versed in New Jersey motorcycle-based personal injury cases.

In Haddon Heights, New Jersey, the attorney to call is Robert Simons. Attorney Simons has handled many motorcycle personal injury cases in Camden County, and knows what it takes to get results for his clients. Reach out to Attorney Robert Simons today for a free consultation on your motorcycle personal injury case.