Princeton Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle accidents are not “accidents”. They are caused by negligence. Most motorcycle crashes happen because other drivers made a mistake that led to a motorcycle rider sustaining serious injuries. However, the police often believe the careless driver and blame the motorcyclist. The good news is that we as experienced motorcycle injury lawyers know better because, unless a police officer actually was an eyewitness to the motorcycle collision, his report will not be admitted as evidence to prove fault.

Because of that, one of the first things we tell victims of motorcycle accidents who come into our office for their initial free consultation is: that it’s not your fault.  As lawyers, who hold motorcycle licenses, we know that most motorcycle riders generally operate their bikes with extreme care, safety, and caution, nevertheless, they are still unfairly blamed for crashes. We know how to establish the facts to show that you were not at fault, and we can help you seek monetary damages from the negligent party.

If you’re facing skyrocketing medical bills, reduced earning capacity, and a lower quality of life as a result of a Princeton motorcycle crash, you’ve come to the right place. 

At Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., we have a winning track record of success in helping injured motorcycle riders recover. Call us or contact us online for your free consultation today. 

Why Choose Our Princeton Motorcycle Accident Attorneys?

We have the results and experience needed to win motorcycle accident cases in Princeton, New Jersey. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped clients recover over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts to cover our past client’s personal injury losses and damages. 

This includes victims of motorcycle accidents. We helped an injured motorcyclist recover a $5.75 million settlement after an accident with a bus. We also recovered $4.5 million for a motorcyclist injured in an accident with an ambulance.

We’ve built a reputation for aggressive representation, and we will not back down. If we cannot reach a settlement, our 12 Certified Civil Trial Attorneys have actual courtroom experience, and we know how to get results. We have over 28 experienced personal injury lawyers on our team, and we’ve helped more than 35,000 families recover money after serious accidents or injuries. You can trust that we will fight hard for you.

We want to make things as easy as possible for you, so we’re happy to meet with you at one of our many offices across New Jersey or virtually via FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype. Our team includes Spanish speakers and translators for 11 other languages, so you can get help no matter who or where you are. 

Get the results you deserve. Go with the team that knows how to win.

Types of Damages Available in New Jersey Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits

If you’re recovering from a motorcycle accident injury, you might be entitled to pursue money from the at-fault party for your losses, such as: 

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering and disfigurement
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life 
• Negative effects on your relationship

Our Princeton motorcycle accident attorneys can calculate your losses and determine how much you could potentially receive in a verdict or settlement. 

Proving Fault in NJ Motorcycle Accident Claims

In a New Jersey motorcycle accident case, you must prove that another party’s negligent actions caused the crash. Proving fault is crucial to any motorcycle accident claim or potential lawsuit. Your lawyer can determine who was at fault, prove your claim, and protect your rights by:

• Collecting and examining evidence, such as accident reports, photos and videos, and witness statements
• Obtaining proof of your injuries and their effects on your ability to work and do daily tasks
• Understanding New Jersey laws and meeting court deadlines and responsibilities
• Engaging subject matter experts, including accident reconstructionists and medical professionals who can speak to the severity of the injury
• Negotiating with the insurer to reach a fair settlement
• Reducing medical liens and compromising your medical bills 
• Presenting your case in court if your case cannot settle

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Any motorcycle wreck has the potential to be devastating. A few common causes of motorcycle accidents include: 

• Ignoring Stop and Yield Signs – It is common for drivers not to notice oncoming motorcyclists, especially when riding in a group. If the truck and bus drivers do not come to full stops, it can cause cyclists to crash into their vehicles or intentionally drop their bikes to save their lives.
• Left-Turn Crashes – When cars turn left across multiple traffic lanes without having the right-of-way, a motorcyclist can end up severely injured. 
• Distracted Driving – A distracted driver always presents a danger to other motorists, but motorcyclists are distinctly at risk when a driver isn’t paying attention to the road. 
• Dooring Accidents – When parked drivers swing open their car doors into the path of an oncoming biker, motorcyclists cannot avoid the crash, which can result in a serious head injury. 
• Speeding – If a motorcyclist is involved in a collision with a speeding vehicle, it can increase the severity of the damage. 
• Blind Spot Invisibility – Because motorcycles aren’t as large, they can easily be missed in a vehicle’s blind spot, causing merging or lane-switching cars to hit unsuspecting motorcyclists. Sightline obstruction caused by bushes can also create roadway hazards.
• Rear-End Crashes – Motorcycles do not have thousands of pounds of metal protecting them. Motorcyclists can be directly hit by a car, making rear-end collisions even more dangerous. 
• Impaired Driving – Over 32 percent of motorcycle fatalities involved drivers found to be legally intoxicated. Operating any vehicle under the influence can increase the risk of a serious accident. 
• Unsafe Roads – Loose utility hole covers, accumulated pavement oil, uneven or cracked roads, debris on the roadway, and a lack of guardrails are common road hazards motorcyclists frequently encounter that can cause an accident. 

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Because of direct exposure and lack of a vehicle passenger compartment, motorcycle accident injuries can be quite serious and often severe. These injuries often require hospital admissions and surgery racking up huge medical bills often not covered by insurance.  

Injuries that can result from motorcycle crashes include: 

• Head and Brain Trauma – Motorcyclists are at high risk of experiencing severe brain concussions causing unconsciousness and other head and brain trauma in a crash. Injuries like traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) causing brain swelling can be fatal for motorcyclists. 
• Spinal Cord Injuries – Most spinal cord injuries require costly treatment. Their severity can range from a herniated disk to partial or total paralysis, requiring home modifications and lifelong quadriplegic care.
• Fractures – Often, injuries occur to a person’s extremities, such as the arms and legs.  Some of the worst injuries are caused by a motorcycle getting T-Boned at an intersection. Fractures may require surgery including implantation of hardware.
• Road Rash and Burns – Motorcyclists are uniquely susceptible to road rash as they can be thrown from their bikes and skid across the road, causing painful bruising and lacerations. Severe road rash treatment might include skin grafts. 
• Whiplash – Motorcycle riders can experience whiplash if rear-ended or suddenly thrown from their bike. 
• Chest and Shoulder Injuries – Fractured ribs, punctured lungs, internal bleeding, dislocated shoulders, and broken collarbones are serious injuries that often require long-term recovery. 
• Death – Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents are often fatal, requiring investigation by the County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Accident Unit or the New Jersey State Police. Claims involving death are called wrongful death claims.  

Medical Treatment and Recovery After a Motorcycle Crash

Your healthcare provider will have a specific treatment plan for your injuries after a motorcycle accident. You may require any combination of the following: 

• Emergency Medical Attention – This includes visits to the emergency room. 
• Surgery – Your injuries may require one or multiple surgeries, raising hospital stay, anesthesia, and post-operation recuperation costs. 
• Physical or Occupational Therapy – Your recovery may require extensive physical rehabilitation to regain strength, mobility, and muscle control. You might need to reorganize your life after a crash to manage daily tasks and skills for independent living. 
• Mental Health Care – Motorcycle crash victims may experience anxiety, depression, or PTSD and require professional help dealing with these symptoms. 
• Rehab Inpatient Treatment – Victims of motorcycle accidents often find it beneficial to transfer to a rehab facility such as Kessler Institute or Helen Hayes Hospital for the specialized physical and occupational therapy they require. 

What To Do After a Motorcycle Crash in New Jersey

RULE # 1

IT’S NEVER TOO SOON TO HIRE AN EXPERIENCED INJURY LAWYER 

WHO IS AN EXPERT IN MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT CASES.

The aftermath of a motorcycle wreck can be confusing. You may not know what to do after a motorcycle accident and need help figuring out how or where to begin. You likely called the police right away and went directly to the hospital for treatment. If you didn’t, you should go to your doctor as soon as possible after the accident for a checkup, even if you feel fine. Your doctor can detect any non-symptomatic injuries before they become troublesome, and your medical records will begin a paper trail to document that your injuries were caused by the accident. 

Your next steps could include: 

• Follow Medical Direction – You may be referred to different specialists while recuperating from a motorcycle accident. Keep up with all treatments, including physical therapy. 
• Document All Medical Care – Be sure to keep all essential documents about your visits, treatment plans, and medical expenses. 
• Keep a Pain Journal – This can be useful for tracking changes in your injuries after a motorcycle crash. 
• Contact an Attorney – A motorcycle accident lawyer can ease your stress by taking care of your legal burden. They’ll evaluate your injuries and losses, calculate their value, negotiate adequate monetary damages to aid your recovery and file a motorcycle accident lawsuit if needed. The sooner you contact them, the sooner they can begin investigating the accident, tracking down witnesses, and building your case.

Statute of Limitations to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in NJ

The statute of limitations on personal injury claims in New Jersey allows two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. If you file your lawsuit after the deadline, the court will likely dismiss your case without a hearing. When that happens, you lose your best bargaining chip with the insurance company. Your best bet is to contact a lawyer as soon as possible after the crash.

Waiting too long to contact a motorcycle accident attorney and file a claim makes it challenging to:

• Preserve Evidence – Bad weather conditions, decay, or human error can erase critical proof. Many 18-wheeler tractor-trailers and other trucks have a data recorder similar to commercial jets that track speed and braking before a collision. Often there are intersection cameras and Ring doorbell devices that capture footage.
• Locate Eyewitnesses – It’s essential to contact and interview witnesses while their memory remains clear. Obtaining accurate witness statements becomes more difficult as time passes. 
• Reconstruct the Accident – Reconstructing an accident long after the original crash can be even more challenging. 
• Changing or Amending the Police Report – Often, victims of a motorcycle accident are in no physical or mental condition to give a statement to the investigating police officers while the at-fault driver is busy denying any blame. Police reports can be supplemented after the fact with your version of the events. 
• Governmental Notices – If a collision involves a city, county, or the State of New Jersey, or a New Jersey Transit bus, there is an absolute requirement to notify them in writing on special forms of your intention to make a claim. THIS MUST BE DONE WITHIN NINETY (90) DAYS FROM THE ACCIDENT. This includes cases involving DOT trucks, NJ and Parkway Authorities, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, NJ Transit, and cities and counties with potholes and other defects in their roadways.

An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can protect your rights and ensure you file your lawsuit within the timeline set by the statute of limitations.

New Jersey Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to New Jersey’s Division of Highway Traffic Safety, motorcyclists involved in accidents have an 82 percent chance of injury. 

Deaths from motorcycle crashes have steadily increased over the past few years, according to fatal crash data compiled by the New Jersey State Police. In one recent year, there were nearly 100 fatalities resulting from motorcycle accidents in New Jersey. 

Most motorcycle accidents involving other vehicles happen at intersections, and most drivers do not see the motorcyclist before the crash. 

Contact an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Princeton, NJ Today

A knowledgeable New Jersey motorcycle accident lawyer can make a substantial difference in your recovery. When you choose Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., you’re selecting decades of experience and success. 

Our office is also home to motorcycle enthusiasts, including attorneys Garry R. Salomon, Manuel Sameiro, and Sam Davis. Our passion for motorcycles and firsthand experiences with New Jersey roads give us unique insight into the hazards bikers face and motivate us to pursue the justice they deserve. We are proud to defend the two-wheeled motorcycle community and represent them in seeking justice against negligent and careless drivers.  We proudly sponsor and support motorcycle rallies and rides throughout New Jersey. Our mottos are We’re Here 4 You and Never Settle for Less than a Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. motorcycle lawyer. 

Your case is more than a legal matter to us. It’s about our commitment to your future well-being. 

Contact us today for your free consultation.