New Jersey Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

The Governors Highway Safety Association reported that New Jersey had 69 fatalities related to motorcycle riding in 2016, which accounted for 11.8% of the total motor vehicle fatalities in 2016 within the state. If you, a loved one, or someone you know has been involved in an accident involving a motorcycle, the trusted New Jersey personal injury legal team at Cerussi & Gunn, P.C. can help you navigate through the often complex issues that arise in a case involving a motorcycle.

Motorcycles and Auto Insurance

One of the biggest issues involving motorcycle accidents concerns determining who is going to pay for the medical bills that arise out of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. New Jersey is a no-fault state when it comes to car insurance, motor vehicle accident, and the payment of medical expenses. This means that any coverage for medical expenses is provided by your own insurance carrier through your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. A person’s medical bills are not paid for by the insurance policy of the at-fault driver.

However, injuries from motorcycle accidents are not covered under a motor vehicle insurance policy. Therefore, if you have health insurance, your health insurance carrier will pay for your medical bills. When a health insurance carrier pays for your medical bills arising out of a motorcycle accident the insurance carrier may be entitled to be reimbursed, an issue that the attorneys at Cerussi & Gunn, P.C. have dealt with extensively.

If you do not have health insurance, then there are other avenues for payment of your medical expenses. The attorneys at Cerussi & Gunn, P.C. are very experienced at dealing with these issues and they can assist you in getting your medical bills paid.

Common Causes of New Jersey Motorcycle Accidents

Most motorcycle accidents involve another driver, and in most of these accidents, the driver is in a passenger vehicle. More than half of the time, the motorcyclist even had the right of way. Some of the most likely reasons for accidents involving motorcycles include:

• Not seeing the motorcycle – Motorcycles are smaller than your average vehicle on the road, which means they often fall victim to the mental blind spots of other drivers.
• Drunk driving – Impaired drivers are one of the greatest threats on the road and motorcycles are even more at risk of collisions with these drivers due to their small profile.
• Poorly maintained roads – Due to their design, motorcycle are particularly susceptible to road defects like potholes, loose or cracked gravel, and uneven surfaces in the road. In some cases, the government agency responsible for road maintenance may be held responsible for the happening of the accident.
• Quick stops – Motorcycles stop much faster than normal vehicles, which can surprise motorists, and lead to being rear-ended by another vehicle.
• Speed misjudgment – Many motorists are not able to accurately judge the speed of a motorcyclist, leading to actions that end up in a collision.
• Defective parts – Sometimes the issue is with a defective design or manufacturing process that can make the bike itself dangerous to the rider.
• Discrimination against motorcycles – Some drivers may have prejudices against motorcyclists due to past experience or their portrayal in media. This can make drivers commit unsafe or even malicious actions that lead to an accident.

Types of Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents

As you can imagine, with so little protection, a motorcycle accident can leave a rider with serious or multiple injuries. Common injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident are:

• Death
• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Broken Bones
• Disfigurement and Facial Fractures
• Road Rash
• Internal Injuries
• Limb Amputations
• Shoulder Injuries
• Nerve and Tendon Damage

New Jersey Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Help

At Cerussi & Gunn, we are committed to ensuring that our clients receive the best possible representation and strategic, personalized resolutions to the issues that arise out of motorcycle accidents. The motorcycle accident lawyers at Cerussi & Gunn, P.C. pursue compensation for our clients and we will fight to ensure that your rights as a victim are fully protected. Our New Jersey office is conveniently located in Shrewsbury, NJ.