Paramus Lawyers Assist Victims of Motorcycle Accidents in New Jersey

Skilled attorneys aggressively pursue full, fair compensation

A motorcycle accident can change a rider’s life in seconds. A distracted driver makes an unsafe lane change or runs a red light, and the bike and its rider are subjected to the brutal force of a collision, followed by a potentially worse secondary impact against the hard pavement. Without a passenger vehicle’s protective shell, motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to catastrophic, permanent injuries. At Razi & Giampa Law, LLC in Paramus, our personal injury attorneys represent injured motorcyclists throughout Bergen County and New Jersey. We investigate the circumstances of the crash, identify potentially liable parties, preserve evidence, and pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.

What statistics say about NJ motorcycle accidents

Motorcycle crashes represent a significant highway-safety problem in New Jersey. According to the New Jersey State Police’s 2023 Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash Comparative Data Report, the state recorded 89 fatal motorcycle crashes and 90 motorcycle fatalities in 2023. This represents only a slight improvement over the 94 fatal crashes and 96 deaths in 2022, and 96 fatal crashes and 98 fatalities in 2021.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes that motorcycles provide virtually no protective structure in a crash and that their smaller size can make them less visible to other motorists. Federal data further show that motorcyclists are heavily overrepresented in traffic fatalities.

These statistics underscore an important reality: a collision that might produce relatively minor injuries for car passengers can cause devastating harm to an exposed motorcyclist.

Common causes of motorcycle accidents in NJ

Motorcycle crashes can result from rider error, but driver negligence accounts for many more. Drivers may cause serious accidents by:

• Turning left across a motorcyclist’s path
• Changing lanes without checking blind spots
• Following a motorcycle too closely
• Opening a vehicle door into a rider’s path
• Speeding or driving aggressively
• Driving while distracted by a phone or other device
• Failing to yield the right-of-way
• Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs
• Losing control and crossing into another lane

Intersections are particularly hazardous because motorists can misjudge a motorcycle’s speed or fail to recognize the motorcycle altogether. NHTSA specifically warns that the majority of multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes generally occur because another driver did not see the motorcyclist.

Dangerous roadway conditions can also contribute to crashes. Potholes, loose gravel, deteriorated pavement, standing water, inadequate drainage, debris, defective roadway design, and poorly maintained construction areas can create hazards that are particularly dangerous for motorcycles.

Serious injuries from NJ motorcycle accidents

Because a motorcycle provides little protection, riders can suffer severe injuries when they strike another vehicle, the pavement, a roadside object, or another hazard. Common injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Skull and facial injuries
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Neck and back injuries
• Broken bones
• Severe road rash
• Internal injuries
• Crush injuries
• Amputations
• Permanent nerve damage
• Psychological trauma

Some injuries require emergency surgery, hospitalization and lengthy rehabilitation. Others produce permanent disabilities that prevent a rider from returning to the same occupation or participating in activities they previously enjoyed.

The full consequences of a serious motorcycle accident may not be immediately apparent. For that reason, an injured rider should obtain appropriate medical care and avoid assuming that an insurer’s initial settlement offer reflects the full cost of future treatment and disability.

How NJ motorcycle law affects riders’ rights

New Jersey motorcyclists are subject to the state’s traffic laws and motorcycle-specific requirements. New Jersey law requires motorcycle operators and passengers to wear properly fitted helmets meeting legal requirements. State law also regulates passenger seating and equipment, including requirements concerning appropriate seats and footrests for motorcycles designed to carry passengers. Riders must comply with applicable licensing, registration, insurance, and equipment requirements while operating on New Jersey roads.

Compliance with these laws can be relevant after a crash, but a motorcyclist’s alleged violation of a traffic or safety requirement does not mean the rider caused the accident. A negligent driver may still bear responsibility for causing a collision, even if questions exist concerning the motorcyclist’s conduct. New Jersey uses a modified comparative-negligence system, meaning fault can be allocated among multiple parties, and a victim can only recover damages in proportion to the other party’s fault. However, if a victim is found to be 50% or more responsible for the accident, they cannot recover.

Proving liability in a NJ motorcycle accident case

A successful motorcycle accident claim requires evidence of how the collision occurred that indicates why another party should be held legally responsible. Our investigation may include:

• Police accident reports
• Photographs and video from the crash scene
• Surveillance and traffic-camera footage
• Eyewitness testimony
• Vehicle damage and physical evidence
• Cellphone and other electronic evidence, when relevant
• Data from vehicle systems
• Accident-reconstruction analysis
• Evidence concerning roadway design and maintenance

In some cases, liability extends beyond the driver who struck the motorcycle. A commercial employer, vehicle owner, contractor, manufacturer, or government entity responsible for an unsafe roadway might share liability, depending on the circumstances.

Prompt action is critical, since physical evidence disappears and witnesses’ memories fade. An early investigation can help preserve evidence and put witness recollections on record. Our firm is ready to go to work for you as soon as possible.

Contact Razi & Giampa Law, LLC in Paramus for a free auto accident consultation

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Paramus, Bergen County, or anywhere in New Jersey, Razi & Giampa Law, LLC in Paramus can provide the highly professional and personalized legal services you need. To schedule a free consultation at our office, in your home, or at the hospital, call us today at (201) 534-5011 or contact our firm online.