Injured in a Motorcycle Accident? Call (201-292-0341) Today to Speak with our Hoboken Motorcycle Accident Attorneys.
You pay ZERO fees unless we win. We have won Millions of Dollars in Verdicts and Settlements for Serious & Catastrophic Motorcycle Accident Victims.
Nothing quite compares to the freedom of the open road. Motorcycles have grown in popularity over the years, but that has also led to more motorcycle crashes. Many of these accidents leave victims with serious injuries, even if they wear the necessary protective gear. In fact, they are some of the deadliest accidents on American roads.
At Glugeth & Pierguidi, P.C., our Hoboken attorneys know this and understand how traumatic these crashes are for victims. That’s why we passionately fight for those injured by negligent drivers while riding. Jared Glugeth has spent the past decade representing people seriously injured in motorcycle crashes. He has personally recovered millions of dollars for his clients. Contact us today!
The Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
While not all motorcycle crashes happen the same way, many of them are caused by similar factors. Unfortunately, many of these accidents happen due to the negligence of another driver. In fact, some of the most common causes of motorcycle crashes include the following:
Improper Left-Hand Turns
When making a left-hand turn, some drivers think they can beat any vehicles traveling in the oncoming lanes. However, they sometimes don’t see motorcycles due to their size. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), around 42% of all fatal motorcycle accidents involving another vehicle in 2017 were due to improper left-hand turns.
Driver Inattention
Keeping an eye out for motorcycles already requires a lot of focus. Despite this, some drivers look at their phones or simply don’t take extra care when driving in low visibility conditions. In fact, the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety found that this is the second most-reported contributing factor in motorcycle crashes within the state.
Obviously, these aren’t the only causes of motorcycle accidents. However, they are the most frequently reported causes in both New Jersey and the United States. Regardless of what caused your accident, we recommend reaching out to a motorcycle accident lawyer.
Determining Motorcycle Accident Damages
In motorcycle accident cases, there are three types of damages that may apply. The first, known as economic damages, include any direct financial losses you incur due to the crash. Several things may count as a financial loss, including but not limited to:
- Hospitalization fees;
- Prescription medications;
- Medical treatment expenses;
- Vehicle and other property repairs;
- Lost wages during recovery; and
- Reduced earning ability.
To calculate your claim, an experienced motorcycle accident attorney may add up any bills, receipts, or invoices you have related to these losses. Reduced earning ability and lost wages aren’t as easily calculated, and an economic expert may be needed to estimate your future lost wages based on previous paychecks.
Non-economic damages are sort of the opposite of economic damages. Economic losses are tangible and can be measured by adding receipts and bills. Non-economic losses are intangible. There are no bills or invoices involved because the losses are subjective. Many non-economic losses are physical or emotional and have a tremendous impact on the victim.
They include things like:
- Lower quality of life;
- Pain and suffering;
- Mental or emotional anguish;
- Permanent disability; and
- Disfigurement
Calculating these damages isn’t straightforward. At Glugeth & Pierguidi, P.C., we work with the best medical experts to make sure your injuries are presented to the insurance companies or jury in a way that is compelling and straightforward.
The Role of Negligence in a New Jersey Motorcycle Accident Claim
The State of New Jersey follows what’s known as a comparative negligence law. This means that—even if the victim of an accident is partially at fault for the crash—they may still recover damages. However, their share of fault cannot be more than 50%. In addition, their award is reduced by their share of fault. So, let’s say you have $100,000 in damages and the insurance company finds you to be 30% at fault. This means you may recover a maximum of $70,000 in damages.
But remember, if your share of fault is more than 50%, you can’t recover any compensation under New Jersey law. This is why it’s important to start building your case from day one. The more evidence you have showing your side of the story, the better. This may be exceedingly difficult to do on your own during recovery, so we suggest contacting a Hoboken motorcycle accident lawyer.
What About No-Fault Insurance Claims?
New Jersey is one of the few states that has no-fault insurance claims. Essentially, this means that a victim may pursue compensation through their own auto insurance coverage. By default, standard auto insurance policies in New Jersey include what’s known as personal injury protection or PIP coverage. Policyholders may make a claim for economic damages through this coverage if someone injures them in an accident.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?
Every state has a statute of limitations or time limit for filing lawsuits. This time limit varies between case types, and not every state has the same limit. In New Jersey, victims have two years from the date of injury to file.
Unfortunately, if you don’t file by that deadline, the court will not hear your case. There aren’t many exceptions to this rule, so we urge you to contact a Hoboken, New Jersey motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible after your accident.
Injured While Riding? Our Hoboken Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Are Here for You!
If you ever sustain an injury while riding your motorcycle because of a reckless driver, we are here for you.
At Glugeth & Pierguidi, P.C., we have over 30 years of experience representing victims. When you hire us, we will not push your case off to an associate—your case will be handled by a partner with decades of experience. We are not “pencil pushers” who sit in our office every day.
We are seasoned litigators who know our way around a courtroom! That means that if the insurance company isn’t reasonable, we can take your case all the way through trial when and if that becomes necessary. In other words, we know how to fight for your rights. To schedule a free consultation with a New Jersey motorcycle accident lawyer, send us a message or call us at 201-699-5070.
