Marlton, NJ Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Bikers are some of the most vulnerable people on New Jersey’s busy highways. A crash is 28 times more likely to be deadly for motorcyclists and five times as likely to cause an injury. In many cases, motorcyclists aim to drive as safely as possible but still fall victim to much larger vehicles on the road. This is especially when other motorists are drunk, distracted, or otherwise negligent. Over two-thirds of all motorcycle collisions in New Jersey take place when drivers of other, larger vehicles fail to notice the motorcycles around them.
Driving safely and defensively is your best bulwark against injury from dangerous crashes. However, it is not always possible to stay safe if other drivers are responsible for a crash, and you might be entitled to seek compensation for your injuries. Our Marlton, NJ motorcycle accident lawyer, Jerry Friedman, offers free legal consultations. A free case consult can help you learn more about filing a lawsuit for compensation and getting the help you need after a serious motorcycle crash. For your free legal consultation, call us today at 1-800-LAW-4-HOGS.
Proving Fault in Motorcycle Accidents in Marlton
Marlton itself is home to more than 10,000 residents, including many bikers. The town is also part of the wider South Jersey, which is full of busy highways and active motorcyclists. When other drivers fail to keep safety as their top priority, they could easily cause a crash. If you were hit by another driver on the road, one of the biggest hurdles to getting compensation will be proving that they were at fault.
In many accident cases, the core cause of the crash will be somewhat obvious, especially to the people injured in the crash. If the other driver ran a stop sign or a red light, you will be able to point to those facts when you claim that they caused the accident. Similarly, if the other driver was texting while driving, was driving under the influence, or was speeding, you can also use those facts to help you prove fault.
In a legal sense, most auto accident claims are based on a theory of “negligence.” A claim like this says that the at-fault driver owed the victim some legal duty that they breached, resulting in injuries. The legal duty in most auto accidents can be found by looking at the rules of the road. Traffic control devices, NJ traffic laws, and standard safe driving practices all help explain what the duty was. Your testimony and other evidence will help prove how the other driver breached that duty.
Suing for Injuries in a Motorcycle Crash in Marlton, NJ
Many people automatically think that injury claims and claims for vehicle repairs should be filed with insurance after a crash. In cases where injuries were very minor or there is only property damage, an insurance claim will often be enough. However, cases involving serious medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages might get more compensation if filed as a lawsuit instead.
Insurance claims are typically limited in the damages they can pay. First, the terms of the insurance policy often leave off the ability to claim damages for pain and suffering. That means that you are automatically leaving a lot of money on the table by filing an insurance claim. Second, insurance policies will also limit what percent of damages can be paid for medical bills and lost wages. That could mean your damages will once again be limited.
In a lawsuit, you can typically claim the full cost of expenses and economic damages you faced. You can also claim non-economic damages to cover your physical pain, mental and emotional suffering, and other damages not typically paid through insurance.
When you file a lawsuit, you will also have a New Jersey motorcycle accident lawyer with you who can represent you and your best interests. Even your own insurance company might be more concerned with how much they have to pay. In contrast, your attorney will work to maximize the damages you will be paid and fight to get you the best settlement or in-court award the law will allow.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Crash in Marlton, NJ
If you were seriously injured in a crash, you should have already been taken for treatment at a hospital. This is the right move: the most important thing to do after a crash is to get safe and get your injuries taken care of. If you did have time to get pictures of the scene of the crash and get contact information for the other driver and witnesses, that is an excellent start to your case.
In most cases, the police who respond to the crash will file a police report detailing who was involved and what happened, to the best of their knowledge. Getting a copy of the police report will be an excellent step toward figuring out whom to sue and how to argue that they were at fault. It will also be good if you can get any red-light camera or security camera footage from the area where the crash occurred. Your lawyer can help you with this.
Ultimately, your next step in what to do after a crash will be to call a lawyer. After you call us, we can take care of the rest of the research. We will also ask you for any additional information we need, such as testimony about how the crash happened and how your injuries affected your life.
Call Our Marlton, NJ Motorcycle Accident and Injury Lawyer for a Free Case Consultation
Jerry Friedman represents injured motorcycle riders after accidents, and he fights to get them the maximum compensation they are entitled to. This compensation can often cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. For a free legal consultation on your case, call our Marlton, NJ motorcycle accident lawyer today at 1-800-LAW-4-HOGS. Jerry has over 40 years of experience handling motorcycle accident cases and might be able to take your case, too.
