New Jersey Motorcycle Accident Attorney

The Goldwater Law Firm Fights for the Best Interests of Victims

The Goldwater Law Firm has served injured accident victims for over two decades. We have a long history of getting results for clients and are one of the most widely recognized firms in the country. Our team believes in putting victims first and fighting for the money they may qualify to recover.

We are here to help during some of your life’s hardest, most challenging days. We know you are likely scared, angry, and frustrated. You can trust our team to treat you with compassion, empathy, and respect. During your initial consultation, we can assess your crash case and answer your questions for free.

We do not believe insurance companies should be able to pay victims less than the value of their losses, or that injured individuals should lose money because of an accident they did not cause. Our firm works with co-counsels across the country to help victims get fair compensation. Call us today to learn more.

Our Team Connects Victims With Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in New Jersey

Our team works with law firm partners to serve crash victims in all 50 states. We have strategic partnerships with many large, successful firms that work based on contingency to help victims recover fair compensation. When a victim calls us, we assess the case and connect them with one of our co-counsels in their area.

This process allows the victim to get the legal representation and advocacy they need and pursue the money they may qualify to recover. Our law firm partners investigate these cases, develop strong legal strategies, identify liable parties, and seek payouts to compensate them fairly.

Our co-counsel also has access to a robust network of experts and specialists who can help build and support a compelling claim. This network includes accident reconstruction experts, economists, medical experts, and more.

Your Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Will Understand the Auto Insurance Laws in New Jersey

At The Goldwater Law Firm, we work with trusted law firm partners who know how to build a case and successfully navigate the claims process to secure compensation. In New Jersey, motorcycle accident claims are handled differently from other traffic accidents.

Under New Jersey law, motorcyclists do not have personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. This mandatory no-fault policy required for most drivers is not available for motorcyclists. This distinction means motorcyclists must file a claim against the at-fault driver to recover damages.

To recover money for medical bills, lost pay, property damage, and pain and suffering, a motorcyclist must be able to show:

• The other driver violated a traffic law
• The other driver’s traffic violation caused the crash
• The crash caused their injuries

When you work with an attorney, they will manage the claims process for you. They will investigate what happened and determine the direct cause of the collision. They will document the damages and demand fair compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company or sue the driver in civil court on your behalf.

It is also important to understand that New Jersey follows comparative negligence to determine damages based on N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.1. This doctrine means the money you could recover will be reduced by the amount of fault assigned to you, if any. If you are more than 50 percent liable, you cannot recover compensation in the case.

Many New Jersey Motorcycle Accident Victims Suffer Serious or Catastrophic Injuries

Motorcyclists have a much higher risk of severe injuries than victims hurt in other types of vehicles. This is partly because of the high rate of ejection from the motorcycle. The lack of an enclosed frame, seatbelts, and other safety equipment results in bikers and their passengers impacting the ground, other vehicles, trees, guardrails, and many other hard surfaces during a crash.

Some possible motorcycle accident injuries include:

• Severe fractures and crush injuries, especially to the legs and pelvis
• Broken arms, ribs, hips, and other bones
• Dislocated joints
• Traumatic amputation or injuries requiring amputation
• Severe lacerations
• Road rash and other burns
• Internal injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and concussions
• Spinal cord injuries
• Other neck and back injuries

In a serious motorcycle accident, victims often have life-threatening injuries. This risk increases when they are not wearing helmets and other protective equipment. Many victims require emergency stabilization or other life-saving actions. Ambulance or medevac airlift transportation is common.

Many receive treatment in one of the state’s three Level I trauma centers, located in Newark, New Brunswick, and Camden. If necessary, some might also be transferred to a trauma facility in another state. These hospitals can handle the most serious injuries and provide surgical treatment, therapies, and around-the-clock care for traumatic injuries.

How Much Compensation Will an Injury Lawyer Pursue in a Motorcycle Accident Case?

Each accident case is unique. The injuries, expenses, and losses you endured because of your accident will determine the potential value of your case. Your personal injury attorney will work to gather documentation of your expenses and losses to date and work with experts to estimate your future costs. This assessment is key to securing the compensation you may qualify to recover.

Some of the types of damages available to motorcycle accident victims hurt in a crash include:

• Current and future medical care and related expenses
• Lost income and reduced earning capacity
• Repairs for your motorcycle, equipment, and other personal property
• Our-of-pocket costs
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and trauma
• Permanent disability or disfigurement

Wrongful Death in a New Jersey Motorcycle Accident

If your loved one died from motorcycle accident injuries in New Jersey, an attorney from one of our law firm partners can work with the executor of the victim’s estate to pursue compensation. They can file wrongful death and survival actions to recover compensation for a wide range of damages.

Your New Jersey Collision Lawyer Will Build a Compelling Case for Compensation

A motorcycle accident claim or lawsuit aims to secure fair compensation for the expenses and losses incurred. To do this, an attorney must gather evidence, develop a strong case strategy, and convince the insurance company or jury that you have a right to compensation based on the facts of your case.

The available evidence in these cases varies widely but could include:

• Police reports that document what occurred and any citations issued
• Eyewitness statements gathered during interviews with all drivers, passengers, and other witnesses
• Accident scene photographs
• Documentation of vehicle damage
• Skid marks and other similar physical evidence
• A survey of the accident scene
• Footage from dashcams or nearby cameras
• Relevant medical records
• Accident reconstruction expert testimony
• The driver’s admission of fault or related statements

Other evidence not listed here might be crucial in proving fault and liability in your case. Your attorney will know what to look for and how to preserve evidence held by the liable party. You can trust them to develop the strongest case possible while you continue your treatment and healing.

Deadlines for Pursuing Compensation in a New Jersey Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycle accident lawyers often negotiate settlements to close these cases. They can present compelling evidence to convince the insurance company that they do not want to go to trial. The insurance adjuster will increase their settlement offer, and they will reach an agreement.

This does not happen in every case. Sometimes, a lawsuit is necessary. Most cases still reach a settlement after filing a lawsuit. However, it is imperative to meet the applicable statute of limitations when preparing and filing a complaint against the at-fault driver. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2, you typically have two years to file a lawsuit with the local courthouse.

Exceptions exist to the two-year deadline to file a lawsuit. However, some of these exceptions shorten the period you have to sue. Hiring an attorney to manage your case as early as possible will protect your rights.