New Jersey Motorcycle Accident Laws and Statistics
Riding a motorcycle is an inherently dangerous activity. Consider the following motorcycle accident statistics in New Jersey: in 2006, motorcycle accident fatalities represented 11 percent of the state’s total motor vehicle accident deaths*. If you have suffered personal injury or the tragic loss of a loved one in a motorcycle accident, our motorcycle accident attorneys can help. Serving clients throughout New Jersey, our law firm is committed to helping crash victims understand their rights as defined by the law. When you secure our services, our motorcycle accident attorneys will work diligently to assert your rights while aggressively pursuing the compensation to which you are entitled.
Motorcycle Accident Laws and Victims' Rights
Motorcycle accident law allows motorcyclists who are injured because of another party’s negligence to seek financial compensation for their injuries by filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, a number of parties – including the motorcycle designers, manufacturers, and distributors, motorists, and even the injured motorcyclist himself or herself – can be held liable. When victims are able to prove that another party was at least partially responsible for their injuries, they can obtain financial compensation for their injuries. The handling of a victim’s claim depends largely on state motorcycle accident law and on the particulars of the victim’s case.
Types of Injuries
Depending on the circumstances surrounding the crash, a motorcycle accident injury can be relatively minor – for example, “road rash” and broken bones. However, because motorcycles offer no external protection for riders in the event of a crash, injuries are often catastrophic – for example, back, burn, spinal cord, and brain injury. In the most tragic cases, a motorcycle accident can cause wrongful death.
Motorcycle Accident Compensation
A motorcycle accident settlement or jury award can include compensation for the victim’s medical and rehabilitation expenses, the costs of maintaining his or her household during recovery, decreased income and earning potential, and other losses and expenses. The size of the settlement or jury award depends on a number of factors, including the circumstances of the crash, the severity of the motorcyclist’s injuries, and the skill of his or her lawyer.
Filing a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
The process of filing a lawsuit after a motorcycle collision is one best undertaken by an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. Proner & Proner’s lawyers have years of experience handling motorcycle accident claims and a track record of successful case resolutions. If you believe you have grounds for filing a personal injury lawsuit, contact Proner & Proner to schedule a consultation with one of our motorcycle accident attorneys. Our law firm serves clients throughout New Jersey.
Learn more about New Jersey motorcycle accident laws.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
The following motorcycle accident statistics reflect accident and injury trends in New Jersey and throughout the nation since 1998*:
- In 1999, there were 2,472 motorcycle accident deaths, and 50,000 motorcycle injuries, in the U.S. – 8 and 2 percent increases, respectively, from 1998 death and injury rates.
- Between 2004 and 2006, the number of motorcycle accident fatalities in New Jersey increased (from 78 in 2004 to 87 in 2006), as did the number of total motor vehicle fatalities (which increased from 723 in 2004 to 772 in 2006).
- In 2005, motorcycle fatalities in New Jersey accounted for 8 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities and 4 percent of motorcycle registrations that year.
- Of the 747 highway traffic fatalities in New Jersey in 2005, 29 percent (217 deaths) involved driver impairment. Of the 61 motorcycle accident fatalities in 2005, 83 percent of victims were helmeted, 21 had a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .01 or more, and 40 had no BAC.
- In 2007, there were 79 motorcyclist fatalities in New Jersey. Of these victims, 83 percent were wearing helmets, 28 percent were driving with a BAC of .08 or higher, and 36 percent of which had a BAC of 0.01 or higher.
- New Jersey is one of 20 states with a universal helmet law; 17 with education programs intended to increase helmet use; and 27 with anti-impaired riding education programs.
Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
If you have suffered personal injury in a motorcycle crash, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Contact Proner & Proner to schedule a free case evaluation or to obtain more information about motorcycle accident statistics. Our attorneys serve clients throughout New Jersey. When you secure our services, we will provide the aggressive legal counsel you need and deserve.
*Motorcycle accident statistic references: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Statistics, and Governors Highway Safety Association websites.
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