Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle Accident Attorney in West Orange, NJ
Motorcycles let riders experience the freedom of the open road. However, they can also be extremely dangerous. If you received an injury from a motorcycle accident that wasn’t your fault, you may deserve compensation. The Law Offices of Mitchell Friedman is a firm that has helped clients resolve their motorcycle accident claims for more than 30 years. Attorney Mitchell Friedman has a reputation in the Hudson County, NJ area as a skilled lawyer for motorcycle accidents. You can trust him to provide professional, competent representation in any of these areas:
- Essex County, NJ
- Newark, NJ
- Morris County, NJ
- Orange, NJ
- Union County, NJ
- Passaic County, NJ
- East Orange, NJ
- Monmouth County, NJ
- West Orange, NJ
- Bergen County, NJ
- Middlesex County, NJ
- Ocean County, NJ
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle riders are often accused of unsafe driving due to their increased risk of accidents and serious injuries. However, that is not always the case. Car and truck drivers have an advantage because of the size and weight of their vehicles. They also have blind spots that motorcycles don’t and may fail to notice riders when switching lanes. Common types of motorcycle accidents include:
- Head-on collisions
- Cars making left-hand turns
- Collisions between motorcycles and fixed objects, including road dividers or guardrails
- Road hazards, including unsafe weather conditions or potholes
- Motorcycle lane splitting
- High-speed sport or super-sport motorcycles
Common Injuries Resulting From Motorcycle Accidents
There are about 90,000 injuries and nearly 5,000 deaths from motorcycle crashes in the US each year, according to the National Highway Transit Safety Association. Motorcycles lack many of the basic safety features found in cars like seatbelts and airbags. Because of this, motorcycle accidents can lead to serious injuries:
- Head and neck injuries
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions
- Severe road rash
- Loss of limbs
- Significant scarring
- Muscle and soft tissue damage
- Psychological damage
- Back or joint injuries
A lawyer can help you pursue financial compensation for costs arising from these kinds of injuries. Because of the catastrophic nature of the injuries related to motorcycle accidents, the costs that these injuries incur can be very high.
Damages That Can Be Recovered in Motorcycle Accident Cases
Damages from motorcycle accidents can range from minor property damage to hefty medical expenses. However, state and federal laws allow riders to make motorcycle accident claims and pursue fair compensation for damages. Common damages our attorneys help recover include the following:
- Repairing or replacing motorcycles and other personal property damaged during the crash
- Medical bills, including ambulance rides, hospital stays, diagnostic services, prescriptions and additional doctor fees
- Ongoing injuries requiring short- or long-term rehabilitation services or follow-up doctor appointments
- Lost pay from missing work due to injuries or disabilities caused by the accident
Additionally, your injuries or disabilities must be proven and valued before compensation is awarded. However, an experienced motorcycle accident attorney can evaluate and present your unique damages based on similar cases.
Motorcycle Accident Cases Can Become Wrongful Death Cases
If a motorcycle accident results in fatalities, it shifts from an accident case to a wrongful death case. The unexpected death of a loved one can place a financial burden on family members, making it challenging to afford funeral or burial expenses. Our attorneys in West Orange, NJ, can alleviate this burden by pursuing coverage for these expenses, allowing you to focus solely on grieving and honoring your loved one’s legacy.
Comparative Negligence in New Jersey Law
New Jersey’s Comparative Negligence Act permits insurance companies to determine which party bears responsibility for a car accident. The insurer reviews the evidence and assigns a percentage of liability to parties based on contributing factors, including failing to notice and avoid the other vehicle, sound the horn, apply brakes, or swerve. In the case of more than one defendant, defendants found less than 60% at fault are only required to pay their assigned percentage in damages. However, defendants incurring over 60% at fault can result in them paying the injured person their full amount in damages.
Your Search for A Motorcycle Accident Law Firm Is Over
A lawyer has two specific responsibilities in a motorcycle accident case. First, they’ll need to prove that the accident was the defendant’s fault. They’ll also need to demonstrate that the defendant acted negligently. If an attorney can prove both of these factors, they’ll likely win a motorcycle accident lawsuit. However, that’s not as easy of a task as it may sound at first glance.
To prove fault, a lawyer needs to demonstrate that the defendant’s actions caused the accident to occur. They’ll need to collect evidence from police reports, parties, witnesses, and insurance claims to succeed in this task. Establishing negligence is a bit more complex. The lawyer needs to demonstrate that the defendant had a responsibility to act a certain way, but failed to do so. Because of this failure, their actions caused an otherwise avoidable accident.
Contact Us and Consult with Our Motorcycle Attorney Today
If you need a lawyer with decades of experience helping clients win their motorcycle accident claims, attorney Friedman can help. He has spent more than three decades helping clients collect the financial compensation they deserve. He has years of proven real-world experience trying motorcycle accident lawsuits. Because of this, the Law Offices of Mitchell Friedman has established a reputation as a reliable law firm for motorcycle accident cases in the Hudson, Essex, and Union County, NJ, areas. If you need help, he’ll be there for you. Don’t wait. Call the Law Offices of Mitchell Friedman today.