There is nothing like riding a motorcycle on the open road, with the wind in your face and the bugs smashing into your visor. However, a breezy joyride can quickly turn to tragedy in the blink of an eye.
Motorcycle crashes are a frequent occurrence on roads across the country for a multitude of reasons. If you are involved in a motorcycle accident in New Jersey and incur injuries, you may be able to pursue legal action against the at-fault party.
After getting into a motorcycle crash, a victim will need a strong personal injury attorney who can provide guidance. To find the right lawyer or law firm for your case, you can search online for “injury attorney near me” or ask your loved ones for recommendations.
When you begin your search for a motorcycle accident attorney in New Jersey, it is important that you find an attorney with whom you feel comfortable and confident.
Here are key tips to bear in mind as you do:
If you follow these tips, it can be easy to hire a lawyer for motorcycle accident assistance in New Jersey with whom you truly feel comfortable and confident. Then, the two of you can move forward together as allies who are committed to achieving justice following the devastating accident.
Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
Collisions with another vehicle. These types of accidents most often occur at intersections, when the motorcycle makes a left turn in front of a car that is coming from the right, or vice versa. A strong headlight and additional high-beam lights on cars may reduce the frequency of this type of accident.
Loss of control while turning, especially when the road surface is slippery or uneven. Motorcycle tires have a relatively narrow contact patch, which provides little traction on dirt or gravel. Some riders whose bikes are not correctly equipped to deal with adverse road conditions may be thrown from their bikes when they lose control. Care must be taken on surfaces with poor traction due to oil, gravel, loose sand, or other debris.
Excessive speed. The danger of a rear-end collision is often the result of a rider’s failure to control their speed while approaching and going around blind corners, including intersections.
Reckless passing or being overtaken by another vehicle. This is particularly risky when the vehicle to be overtaken is approaching an intersection, because the vehicle may turn right at any time without warning. Also note that passing can be risky even if there are no intersections in sight if traffic conditions make it impossible for the passing vehicle to return to its original lane in time.
Collisions with animals. Wild animals and even pets can be unpredictable and cause a motorcycle accident. If the animal is large, such as a moose or cow, the rider’s injuries will often be severe or fatal. Even smaller animals, such as dogs and cats, may jump into the path of an oncoming motorcycle and cause a serious accident.
Blown tires or other mechanical failures. Malfunctions may happen suddenly and with little or no warning. A tire blowout may result from overinflation, underinflation, improper or insufficient lubrication, bad tire design, a tire puncture, or a foreign object embedded in the tire’s tread.
Sunlight glare from wet roads. This is particularly hazardous because motorcycles do not have windshields that can protect the rider from glare, forcing them to avert their eyes from the road to see properly.
Alcohol and other drugs. These substances can impair riders’ judgment and reaction time, as well as their ability to manage or control their motorcycles. In some cases, even small amounts of alcohol or other drugs can have a strong effect on a rider’s performance.
Fatigue. Riding a motorcycle requires more physical effort than driving an automobile, and it is easy for riders to become fatigued during long rides, especially if they are not conditioned to long hours in the saddle or bad weather conditions. Riders should schedule sufficient rest periods between trips to avoid fatigue.
If another person who failed to maintain their motorcycle or equipment properly, or who operated their bike under the influence of drugs or alcohol, is responsible for your injuries, you should contact a motorcycle accident lawyer right away. An attorney for motorcycle accidents can be especially important if the at-fault party or their insurance company refuses to offer a reasonable settlement after the initial investigation is complete, as often happens in such cases.
An accident that results in death or permanent disability can have long-lasting effects on the rider’s family. The cost of medical care and lost income alone may be overwhelming, never mind other expenses such as property damage.
If the accident is the fault of another person, you should seek financial compensation to cover your losses and any additional damages you may suffer because of the accident. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can help you determine where to find information about insurance policies and other factors that may affect your claim.