Bergenfield, NJ Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Many people use motorcycles either as their main motor vehicle or as a recreational one. People run errands, travel across the country, and do all manner of other things on motorcycles. This also means, though, that motorcyclists will get into accidents every so often. Victims of motorcycle crashes can end up seriously injured and in need of financial compensation.
To get that compensation, you are going to need experienced legal help. Jerry Friedman can help you get the evidence you need and advocate for you in court to get you the financial compensation you deserve after a motorcycle accident. Jerry has a passion for motorcycles, so we know how important these cases are to motorcycle riders, and we will work hard to get you up and running again.
Get a free review of your case from motorcycle accident lawyer Jerry Friedman by calling 1-800-529-4464.
Who Can You Sue in Bergenfield, NJ, Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits?
You have to be specific about who you are suing in a personal injury lawsuit. The law only allows you to recover damages from parties that actually caused your injuries, so you should not cast an unduly wide net when you file your claim. That being said, you do not need to sue only one party. You can sue any party that you think had a hand in causing your accident, and Jerry Friedman can help you determine the right parties to sue so that you do not waste time going after parties from which you cannot recover damages.
Other Drivers
It is very likely that you will be suing another motorist in your lawsuit. For example, if an oncoming car hit you, they probably had a hand in causing the accident, so they should be held responsible in court.
To hold a driver liable for your injuries, you need to prove that they were negligent. This can be established in two main ways. First, you can demonstrate that the driver violated a traffic law or rule. For example, if they were speeding when they hit you, that shows that the driver was negligent. The other way to prove driver negligence is to show that they did not act as a reasonable driver would have under the circumstances. Ultimately, it is up to the jury whether a driver acted reasonably or not, and that determination is also contingent on the specifics of your situation, so Jerry will work hard to show that the defendant did not act reasonably and should, therefore, pay you damages.
You can also sue more than one driver if it makes sense under the facts of your case. For example, if two drivers were racing each other and one of them hit you, both drivers may have had a hand in causing your accident, so including both in your claim makes sense.
Vehicle Designers and Manufactures
Sometimes, accidents happen for reasons out of a driver’s control. A common reason for this is because one or more of the vehicles involved in the crash is defective. A vehicle is considered defective when it is dangerous to use in its correct, intended manner. For example, a car with a weak rear axle that makes it prone to spinning out of control would be considered defective.
Defects can arise at many different points. The problem could be due to a bad repair job, a mistake in building the vehicle, or the defect could even be inherent in the vehicle’s design, such that even one made “correctly” will be dangerous.
Who you sue for a vehicle defect depends on where the defect came from. So, if a bad repair job resulted in a defective vehicle, you sue that repair shop. However, if the problem is in the vehicle’s design, you sue the vehicle designer, which could be the name-brand of the vehicle or a third-party design firm.
Damages in Bergenfield, NJ Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits
When you file your claim, you will need to ask for a certain amount of financial compensation and also explain the basis for why you should be awarded that compensation. When courts award damages, they do so based on the defendant’s unique situation, so no two awards are ever exactly the same.
Medical Expenses
Medical bills for motorcycle crashes can be quite high because the injuries motorcyclists receive are often very serious. Paying for surgery, pain medication, and long-term care can become a significant financial burden. Accordingly, the court can compel the defendant to compensate you for medical expenses if you prove that they are liable for your injuries.
Lost Income
If you are hurt in a crash, there is a chance that you missed, or are going to miss, time at work. If you are not getting paid during the time that you are recovering, that can factor into your financial compensation. Similarly, if you have to take a less well-paying job because of your injuries or can no longer work at all, you can get damages based on the difference in income between jobs or your projected income for the rest of your career, respectively.
Pain and Suffering
Not all injuries are shown in bills or X-ray scans. Indeed, the physical pain and mental anguish brought on by serious injuries can often be worse and longer lasting than the injuries themselves. Thus, you can ask for compensation for these things as damages.
While something like medical treatment will have a bill associated with it, there is no bill for the mental and emotional toll that motorcycle crashes can take. Therefore, you will have to figure out the value of these things for your case and convince the jury of their worth.
Get Started on Your Bergenfield, NJ Motorcycle Accident Claim Today
Motorcycle accident attorney Jerry Friedman provides free case reviews when you call our office at 1-800-529-4464.
