Motorcycle Accidents Attorney in Newark, New Jersey

The state of New Jersey has a number of different motorcycle laws that were designed to improve the safety of motorcyclists and mitigate or prevent the occurrence of motorcycle accidents with other vehicles on the road. Some of the most notable motorcycle laws include the following:

Lane splitting can be described as a traffic maneuver that involves a motorcyclist driving in-between two lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. New Jersey law does not explicitly address the legality of lane splitting. However, since lane splitting is often considered dangerous and unsafe, the practice isn't encouraged.

According to the New Jersey Revised Statutes Section 39:3-76.7, "No person shall operate or ride upon a motorcycle unless he wears a securely fitted protective helmet of a size proper for that person and of a type approved by the federal DOT. Such a helmet must be equipped with either a neck or chin strap and be reflectorized on both sides thereof."

Additionally, motorists in New Jersey are required to have a minimum liability insurance coverage of:

• $15,000 liability coverage for bodily injuries to one person per accident
• $30,000 liability coverage for total bodily injuries to two or more persons per accident
• $5,000 liability coverage for property damage per accident

New Jersey is considered a "no-fault" auto insurance state. This means that each driver's insurance coverage (PIP coverage) will pay for their own medical bills after a traffic crash, up to the policy limit, regardless of who was at fault. However, the accident victims may be unable to recover non-monetary damages or compensation for their pain and suffering under the no-fault/PIP claim.

New Jersey law does have a "limited right to sue" statute that allows a person to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party if the victim suffered any of the following injuries from the accident:

• Loss of a body part
• A displaced fracture
• Significant scarring
• Substantial disfigurement
• Loss of a fetus
• Permanent injury, or
• Death

In New Jersey, the "unlimited right to sue" statute ensures that an accident victim can step out of the no-fault/PIP claim restraints and file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver, regardless of the extent of the resulting injuries. The unlimited right to sue provides accident victims with the option to recover full compensation after an accident, including economic and non-economic losses.

New Jersey operates under the "modified comparative negligence" rule and sets the limit at 50%. This means that an injured person may have their compensation reduced if they are found to hold some level of fault for an accident. Additionally, the injured victim will not be able to recover damages if they were more than 50% responsible for the accident.

For example, if you were in an accident and found to be 10% at fault for the accident because you were speeding at the time, your injury settlement will be reduced by 10% to account for your level of fault. This means that if the court awards you $100,000 in compensation for your injuries, you will only be eligible to receive $90,000. As stated above, if the court finds you to be more than 50% at fault for the accident, you will not be allowed to recover any compensation for your injuries.

Being involved in a motorcycle accident can be a difficult and overwhelming experience. If you're unlucky enough to sustain severe injuries, such an accident can affect you physically, financially, and mentally. Thankfully, you don't have to face these challenges on your own. Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney is the first step you can take toward protecting your rights and pursuing fair compensation.

For more than 30 years, I have devoted my entire career to handling personal injury cases and helping motorcycle accident victims seek the compensation they deserve for their injuries. As your legal counsel, I can:

• Fight vigorously to protect your rights and represent your best interests
• Review and investigate every last detail of your accident
• Gather relevant information and document required evidence, including police reports and other necessary documentation
• Work to prove fault and establish liability
• Determine the full magnitude of your injuries and estimate case-value
• Help negotiate a fair settlement with any insurance companies involved
• Take additional legal action if necessary