Motorcycles are deadlier than other vehicles because riders have little protection in a crash, they can be harder for other drivers to see, and are more difficult to control after hitting road hazards such as potholes or gravel.
In the absence of car safety features like airbags, crumple zones, and seatbelts, even minor crashes can cause deadly harm. Motorcycles are much more susceptible to a rider error or a mistake made by other vehicles or environmental factors.
If you or someone you love has been involved in a motorcycle wreck, taking legal help with a Jersey City motorcycle accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and options for seeking recovery.
Factors Contributing to Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycles are one of the most exciting vehicles to drive. But, like all vehicles, they pose risks because of the nature of the vehicle. For multiple reasons a number of risks come along with operating a motorcycle:
- Little protection: With no cabin shielding riders, motorcycles offer little protection. There are no seat belts or air bags to absorb the impact, leaving passengers vulnerable in a crash.
- Elemental exposure: Unlike a car, motorcyclists are regularly exposed to the elements in ways that can be quite dangerous if the weather is not suitable. If the rider can’t see well or they can’t effectively control the bike, an accident may happen.
- Difficulty balancing and staying steady on a motorcycle: Riding a motorcycle is hard. It requires good measurement control to balance and stay upright. Even the slightest of errors in balance can lead to a motorcycle accident.
- Low visibility: Motorcycles are far smaller than the average car, which means that they are harder to see for other drivers. Other drivers may not see motorcycles, causing collisions, particularly at intersections when cars are making left-hand turns and lane changes.
- Less protection if they crash: In the event of a crash, someone on a motorcycle usually hits the ground or another vehicle directly and suffers even worse injuries.
- Unstable by nature: A motorcycle is naturally less stable than a four-wheeler. Sudden braking, cornering, or poor road conditions may cause loss of control and accidents.
- Driving conditions: Bad road conditions due to weather, snow, or water, and bad road surfaces, which may be slippery or uneven, can also threaten motorcyclists.
It is also crucial for other road users, including motorcyclists, to be aware of these and be cautious to ensure road safety.
Navigating the Unique Legal Hurdles in a Motorcycle Claim
Motorcyclists may face complications when it comes to filing a personal injury claim after an accident. With motorcycle crashes, the game changes, there are special legal obstacles that can impact the outcome of your claim if not handled correctly. Some of the challenges unique to a motorcycle claim include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Fighting Rider Bias: Insurance adjusters and juries alike may assume that just because someone is a motorcyclist that they drove recklessly through traffic. An experienced lawyer can help dismantle such bias by presenting a clean driver’s record, safety course certifications, and expert testimony to demonstrate that you are a safe driver.
- Complex Accident Reconstruction: Establishing fault can be significantly more difficult in an accident that involves a motorcycle. A typical defense from other drivers is, “I just didn’t see them.” Our accident lawyers frequently work with accident reconstruction experts to analyze sightlines, vehicle damage, and roadway evidence to prove how the other driver’s negligence may have caused the incident.
- Complicated Insurance Issues: Motorcycle insurance policies generally have different rules than regular auto insurance policies, particularly concerning medical payment coverage (PIP). A seasoned accident attorney should know how to navigate these motorcycle-specific policies to determine all available sources for recovery, including the at-fault driver’s liability insurance and your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage.
- Securing Fair Injury Compensation: As motorcycle accidents often result in severe, life-altering injuries, establishing the full scope of your damages is crucial. This extends far beyond initial medical bills. It involves building a case for future medical needs, lost earning capacity, permanent disability, and the long-term impact on your overall quality of life.
Motorcyclists deserve fair compensation, but the legal system isn’t always rider-friendly. If you want to file a motorcycle accident claim, working with an attorney who understands these unique challenges can make all the difference. Don’t let bias or confusion reduce your rightful claim, get the help you need to ride forward.
Promoting Motorcycle Safety and Awareness
As motorcycle riding involves risks, it is important for the riders to follow the safety measures. Some steps that will help to enhance awareness and safety are as follows:
Protective gear: The motorcyclist rider must always wear a Department of Transportation (“DOT”) approved helmet, gloves, sturdy boots, and protective clothing. All these safety measures will help to reduce head injuries and abrasions after the accident.
Regular maintenance: Perform safety checks, such as brakes, tires, lights, and signals, on a motorcycle to provide a safe ride. Address issues promptly for reliability.
Rider training: Enroll in motorcycle safety classes at all levels and practice defensive riding, emergency maneuvers, and skills for adverse conditions.
Defensive riding: Being awake but also anticipating what other drivers are going to do and keeping a safe following distance. Wear reflective clothing and turn on lights when riding in the early morning, late evening, or when visibility is poor.
Why Are Motorcycle Accidents More Dangerous?
Motorcycle accidents are markedly more dangerous due to the substantial vulnerability of the rider and the dynamics of these incidents.
In New Jersey, motorcyclists are more than 28 times more likely to die and five times more likely to be injured in a crash compared to passenger car occupants, according to the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, citing National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.
From 2008 to 2017, motorcycle fatalities in the state ranged from as high as 93 deaths in 2011 to a low of 50 deaths in 2015. The data also highlights behavioral factors that amplify risks: in 2017, 32.5% of motorcycle fatalities involved riders who tested positive for alcohol, 26% were linked to unsafe speed, and 24% were tied to driver inattention.
What Your Accident Lawyer Can Do for You
Defective auto part manufacturers can also be found responsible for your injuries. Trucking or delivery companies hire drivers with bad driving records and put inexperienced drivers on the road who are unaware of the dangers of driving too fast despite the difficulties inherent in driving a commercial truck.
Once the investigation is thoroughly completed, your attorney will file your claim or lawsuit for the following types of damages:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced earning potential
- Disfigurement
- Reduced quality of life
- Wrongful death (where applicable)
Involved in an accident? Contact a lawyer
Motorcycle crashes are more fatal than car collisions in part because of exposure, instability, speed, and visibility. They can’t be totally eliminated, but the Omni Injury & Accident Law team can mitigate the risks with rider education, appropriate gear, defensive driving, and greater enforcement of safety laws.
Schedule a free consultation and get to know how to pursue compensation for your accident case or call us now at +1 646-736-4184.
FAQs
1 . Why are motorcycle crashes so much more deadly than car accidents?
Motorcycle accidents are more fatal because riders do not have the structural defense that a vehicle provides, leaving them more at risk for severe injuries and even death.
2. How are most motorcycle deaths caused?
Head injury is the most common cause of death and disability in motorcycle accidents, frequently resulting from no helmet or a poor-quality helmet.
3. Do helmets really save lives when motorcyclists crash?
Yes, it’s very true that wearing a DOT-approved helmet will greatly lower the chance of you receiving immediate fatal head trauma in a motorcycle accident.
4. Are motorcycle accident claims more difficult to win than car accidents?
Yes, motorcycle wreck claims can be more difficult because of insurance bias and assumptions that riders are reckless.
5. What is the survival rate of motorcycle accidents compared to car accidents?
A motorcyclist’s risk of death in a crash is 28 times that of a car occupant, according to the NHTSA, so protective measures and cautious riding are essential.