Are You Required to Have Motorcycle Insurance in New Jersey?
As a New Jersey motorcyclist, you need to be aware of the insurance coverage you’re required to carry by law. New Jersey’s insurance laws can be complicated and can make it difficult for accident victims to recover the compensatory damages they deserve, so motorcyclists need to know what to expect.
In New Jersey, motorcyclists are required to carry liability insurance in the event of an accident. While motorcyclists may also have personal injury protection (PIP) insurance for their cars, that coverage doesn’t cover their injuries from a motorcycle accident. Because of this, motorcycle accident victims should hire an attorney after a collision to help get damages for their injuries. Whether you choose to file a claim with a negligent driver’s liability insurance or a lawsuit against a negligent party, an experienced lawyer can help you get the damages you deserve.
For decades, Jerry Friedman has been helping motorcycle accident victims throughout New Jersey navigate lawsuits against negligent drivers. For a free case evaluation with New Jersey motorcycle accident lawyer Jerry Friedman, call today at 1-800-529-4464.
Do Motorcyclists Have to Carry Liability Insurance in New Jersey?
If you are a motorcyclist in New Jersey, you must carry liability insurance. This may shock motorcyclists who already have personal injury protection insurance for their cars. Regardless of whether or not you have PIP, you will need to carry liability insurance for your motorcycle. That insurance, however, doesn’t cover your injuries if you’ve been in a motorcycle accident.
In New Jersey, motorcyclists must carry liability insurance in case of an accident. The following is the current minimum requirement for motorcycle liability insurance in New Jersey:
- $5,000 for property damage
- $15,000 per bodily injury
- $30,000 per accident
Motorcyclists can get additional liability insurance to more adequately cover another party’s medical expenses or property damage from an accident if they so choose. This liability insurance exists solely to help cover damages to other individuals and won’t cover any damages to yourself. Motorcyclists in New Jersey don’t have to carry additional insurance to cover the cost of their own injuries during a motorcycle accident.
Remember, liability insurance for motorcyclists won’t protect you in case of an injury. It won’t cover any of your costs associated with a motorcycle accident in New Jersey, whether they relate to property damage or bodily injury.
Are New Jersey Motorcyclists Required to Have Personal Injury Protection Insurance?
New Jersey is a no-fault state for car accidents. That means drivers must carry personal injury protection insurance to cover the cost of their damages after a car accident, regardless of who is at fault. However, PIP only covers injured drivers and pedestrians and not injured motorcycle accident victims.
If you are a motorcyclist in New Jersey, you don’t have to carry personal injury protection insurance. In fact, there is no PIP coverage for motorcyclists in New Jersey at all. So, if you are injured in a motorcycle accident and don’t have health insurance, your only path to compensation may be to file a lawsuit against the responsible party.
That being said, victims can only file a lawsuit in certain circumstances. If you’re unsure whether or not your motorcycle accident injuries permit you to sue a negligent driver for compensation, reach out to our New Jersey motorcycle accident lawyer. It’s important to note that injured motorcycle accident victims only have two years from a collision to file a lawsuit. So, quickly hiring an Atlantic City motorcycle accident lawyer is crucial.
Remember, there is no personal injury protection insurance for motorcyclists. Therefore, if you don’t have health insurance and a negligent driver is uninsured, filing a lawsuit may be necessary to recover compensatory damages.
How Do You File an Insurance Claim After a Motorcycle Accident in New Jersey?
Filing an insurance claim after a motorcycle accident in New Jersey can be complicated. Because New Jersey motorcyclists can’t file a personal injury protection claim as drivers can, they may be unsure how to proceed. Suppose you were recently injured in a motorcycle accident in New Jersey and want to file an insurance claim. In that case, you should consult an attorney right away.
What Insurance Covers
Although PIP doesn’t protect New Jersey motorcyclists, victims may be able to file an insurance claim with a negligent driver’s liability insurance. In New Jersey, drivers are required to carry a minimum of $15,000 per bodily injury and $30,000 per accident in liability insurance. Suppose a negligent driver only carries the minimum amount in liability insurance. In that case, that may not be enough to cover the cost of your injuries.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Unfortunately, some New Jersey drivers ignore the law and choose to drive without adequate liability insurance. Suppose a negligent driver hits you while you are riding your motorcycle, and they’re uninsured. In that case, it’s crucial to contact a New Jersey motorcycle accident lawyer immediately. Remember, New Jersey motorcyclists aren’t protected by PIP even if they have such coverage for their cars. Your attorney can help you file an uninsured motorist or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) claim with your insurance.
After a motorcycle accident, you can’t file a claim with your own motorcycle liability insurance. Your only chance at recovering compensatory damages may be to file a claim with a responsible driver’s liability insurance or your own UM/UIM coverage. If your injuries require substantial compensatory damages, our Cherry Hill motorcycle accident lawyers can help you file a lawsuit against a negligent driver.
Negotiating Settlements
It’s important to note that insurance companies don’t want to pay victims what they’re entitled to. Even if a negligent driver’s liability insurance is above the minimum coverage, that doesn’t mean an insurance company will offer an adequate settlement amount. To avoid accepting a settlement amount that’s less than you deserve, hire an Elizabeth, NJ motorcycle accident lawyer to help you through settlement negotiations.
Call Jerry Friedman After a Motorcycle Accident
When you need access to compensatory damages after a motorcycle accident, Jerry is here to help. For a free case evaluation with Trenton motorcycle accident lawyer Jerry Friedman, call today at 1-800-529-4464.
