As a New Jersey motorcyclist, you need to be aware of the insurance coverage you’re required to carry by law. New Jersey’s insurance laws can be complicated and can make it difficult for accident victims to recover the compensatory damages they deserve, so motorcyclists need to know what to expect.
In New Jersey, motorcyclists are required to carry liability insurance in the event of an accident. While motorcyclists may also have personal injury protection (PIP) insurance for their cars, that coverage doesn’t cover their injuries from a motorcycle accident. Because of this, motorcycle accident victims should hire an attorney after a collision to help get damages for their injuries. Whether you choose to file a claim with a negligent driver’s liability insurance or a lawsuit against a negligent party, an experienced lawyer can help you get the damages you deserve.
For a free case evaluation with New Jersey motorcycle accident lawyer Jerry Friedman, call today at 1-800-529-4464.
Key Motorcycle Insurance Requirements in New Jersey?
Like typical auto insurance, motor insurance comes with bare minimum requirements that all riders and insurance providers must abide by. Violations of these requirements may lead to serious penalties.
Mandatory Insurance Coverage
If you are a motorcyclist in New Jersey, you must carry liability insurance. This may shock motorcyclists who already have personal injury protection insurance for their cars. Regardless of whether you have PIP, you will need to carry liability insurance for your motorcycle. That insurance, however, doesn’t cover your injuries if you’ve been in a motorcycle accident. It covers the other person’s injuries if you are deemed at fault.
Proof of Insurance Requirements
After you purchase motorcycle insurance, you are required to carry proof of that insurance every time you ride your motorcycle. If you have a standard driver’s license and drive a car, this rule should sound familiar. If the police stop you without any proof of insurance, you may be ticketed and fined, even if you are fully insured.
Minimum Insurance Coverage
In New Jersey, motorcyclists must carry liability insurance in case of an accident. The following is the current minimum requirement for motorcycle liability insurance in New Jersey:
- $5,000 for property damage
- $15,000 per bodily injury
- $30,000 per accident
Additional Insurance Over the Minimum Requirements
Motorcyclists can get additional liability insurance to more adequately cover another party’s medical expenses or property damage from an accident if they so choose. This liability insurance exists solely to help cover damages to other individuals and won’t cover any damages to yourself.
Motorcyclists in New Jersey don’t have to carry additional insurance to cover the cost of their own injuries during a motorcycle accident. However, purchasing additional coverage, like MedPay or some other no-fault policy, can help you pay for your own costs after an accident.
Remember, liability insurance for motorcyclists won’t protect you in case of an injury. It won’t cover any of your costs associated with a motorcycle accident in New Jersey, whether they relate to property damage or bodily injury.
How to Get Compensation for Your Motorcycle Accident Injuries
New Jersey is a no-fault state for car accidents. That means drivers must carry personal injury protection insurance to cover their damages after a car accident, regardless of who is at fault. However, PIP only covers injured drivers in cars and pedestrians, not injured motorcycle riders, who must seek other means of compensation.
No PIP Requirements for Motorcycles
If you are a motorcyclist in New Jersey, you don’t have to carry personal injury protection insurance. In fact, there is no PIP coverage for motorcyclists in New Jersey at all. So, if you are injured in a motorcycle accident and don’t have health insurance, your only path to compensation may be to file a claim with the other driver’s liability insurance.
Before getting compensation, you must prove to the other driver’s insurance company that they are at fault for the accident, which may require a lawyer’s help.
File a Lawsuit
Remember, there is no personal injury protection insurance for motorcyclists. Therefore, if you don’t have health insurance and a negligent driver is uninsured, filing a lawsuit may be necessary to recover compensatory damages.
It’s important to note that injured motorcycle accident victims only have two years from a collision to file a lawsuit. So, quickly hiring an Atlantic City motorcycle accident lawyer is crucial.
Penalties for Not Having Motorcycle Insurance
If you are in an accident or pulled over by the police and you do not have motorcycle insurance, you may face various penalties.
Fines and Costs
Riding your motorcycle without proper insurance can be extremely expensive if the police stop you for any reason. If you cannot present proof of insurance, you may be fined at least $300 and up to $1,000 for a first offense. You may also face a $250 surcharge each year for 3 years.
If you are cited for operating a motorcycle without insurance for a second or subsequent offense, the fines and costs will increase.
License Suspension
You may lose your license if you are operating your motorcycle without insurance. Generally, for a first offense, you may lose your license for up to a full year. Subsequent offenses may result in longer suspensions.
Community Service
Often, riders found guilty of riding without insurance are ordered to perform community service. A first offense may lead to community service for a time to be determined by the court. A subsequent offense may lead to at least 30 days of community service.
How Do You File an Insurance Claim After a Motorcycle Accident in New Jersey?
Filing an insurance claim after a motorcycle accident in New Jersey can be complicated. Because New Jersey motorcyclists can’t file a personal injury protection claim as drivers can, they may be unsure how to proceed. Suppose you were recently injured in a motorcycle accident in New Jersey and want to file an insurance claim. In that case, you should consult an attorney right away.
What Insurance Covers
Although PIP doesn’t protect New Jersey motorcyclists, victims may be able to file an insurance claim with a negligent driver’s liability insurance. In New Jersey, drivers are required to carry a minimum of $15,000 per bodily injury and $30,000 per accident in liability insurance. Suppose a negligent driver only carries the minimum amount in liability insurance. In that case, that may not be enough to cover the cost of your injuries.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Unfortunately, some New Jersey drivers ignore the law and choose to drive without adequate liability insurance. Suppose a negligent driver hits you while you are riding your motorcycle, and they’re uninsured. In that case, it’s crucial to contact a New Jersey motorcycle accident lawyer immediately. Remember, New Jersey motorcyclists aren’t protected by PIP even if they have such coverage for their cars. Your attorney can help you file an uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) claim with your insurance.
After a motorcycle accident, you can’t file a claim with your own motorcycle liability insurance. Your only chance at recovering compensatory damages may be to file a claim with a responsible driver’s liability insurance or your own UM/UIM coverage. If your injuries require substantial compensatory damages, our Cherry Hill motorcycle accident lawyers can help you file a lawsuit against a negligent driver.
Negotiating Settlements
It’s important to note that insurance companies don’t want to pay victims what they’re entitled to. Even if a negligent driver’s liability insurance is above the minimum coverage, that doesn’t mean an insurance company will offer an adequate settlement amount. To avoid accepting a settlement amount that’s less than you deserve, hire an Elizabeth, NJ motorcycle accident lawyer to help you through settlement negotiations.
FAQs About Motorcycle Insurance in New Jersey
Are Motorcycle Riders Required to Have Insurance in New Jersey?
Yes. All motorcycle riders must have insurance specifically for their motorcycle. Additionally, you must carry proof of insurance whenever you ride your motorcycle.
Do Motorcycle Riders in New Jersey Need No-Fault Insurance?
No. No-fault insurance is not required for motorcycle riders in New Jersey. In fact, it is not even offered for motorcycles.
What if the At-Fault Driver in a Motorcycle Accident is Uninsured?
If the at-fault driver is uninsured, you may need to file a lawsuit or file a claim with your own insurance coverage to get compensation. While you likely cannot file with no-fault PIP coverage, you may have other optional policies, like MedPay, to help you.
How Do I Start an Insurance Claim After a Motorcycle Accident?
To start an insurance claim, document the accident and your injuries to the best of your ability. Contact an attorney right away and reach out to the at-fault driver’s insurance company to begin the claims process.
Can I Sue the At-Fault Driver in a New Jersey Motorcycle Accident?
Yes. Normally, no-fault PIP coverage restricts a driver’s ability to sue to a more limited extent. However, since this does not apply to motorcycles, you are free to sue.
What Are Claims in Motorcycle Accident Cases Usually Worth?
Motorcycle accident claims are often worth substantial compensation because riders tend to be more vulnerable and are frequently more severely injured.
Call Jerry Friedman After a Motorcycle Accident
For a free case evaluation with Trenton motorcycle accident lawyer Jerry Friedman, call today at 1-800-529-4464.