Carteret, NJ Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
When motorcycle accidents happen, victims are often left with life-altering injuries. Fortunately, there is a path to recovery for such victims in Carteret.
Motorcycle accidents can lead to a variety of serious injuries, such as paralysis, head injuries, and broken bones, among others. Upon begin injured in a crash of this type, you should call local law enforcement. Officers will complete a crash report for your motorcycle accident, which you can get at a later date. Obtaining your medical records will also be important, so go to the hospital after your accident. To recover compensation, you must provide proof of damages in addition to proving the defendant’s fault. This will require documentation of your losses, both economic and non-economic. While rare, punitive damages might be available in some motorcycle accident lawsuits, such as cases involving intoxicated drivers.
To get help with your case from Carteret, NJ motorcycle accident lawyer Jerry Friedman, call 1-800-529-4464 now.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Carteret, NJ
There’s no way to get around it: motorcycles are dangerous. Even the most experienced motorcyclist might be injured in a crash if struck by a negligent driver. Because motorcycles are not as protective to riders as cars are, injuries sustained in these incidents tend to be severe.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA), 5,932 motorcyclists died in accidents in 2021. Motorcyclists accounted for 14% of all traffic fatalities in the year. Furthermore, 82,686 motorcyclists were injured in accidents during the same year.
Some of the most common injuries among motorcyclists are head injuries. Traumatic brain injuries can occur, even when motorcyclists wear the proper protective headgear during an accident. Other injuries, such as sprains, broken bones, internal bleeding, and spinal cord damage, are also common among motorcyclists. Even seemingly minor accidents can cause life-altering injuries to motorcyclists because of their lack of protection from vehicles. Because of this, motorcyclists should always seek medical attention following a crash, even if they feel fine.
These types of accidents often happen at night when visibility is low. In such circumstances, it is easier for drivers to not see motorcyclists nearby. Motorcycle crashes also often happen at intersections.
Obtaining Documentation of Your Motorcycle Accident in Carteret, NJ
After being injured in a motorcycle crash in Carteret, it is important that you call law enforcement so that they can document the incident. You should then obtain the crash report for your accident. Getting the proper medical documentation of your injuries will also be important.
Upon arriving at an accident scene, police officers will begin completing an accident report. This report will contain information about your crash and the parties involved. You can obtain a copy of your accident report by contacting the Carteret Police Department. If you are having difficulty getting your crash report from law enforcement, Carteret, NJ motorcycle accident lawyer Jerry Friedman can do so on your behalf.
In addition to obtaining the police report for your motorcycle crash in Carteret, it is important that you also get the medical records regarding your visit to the emergency room. This will allow Jerry to gain deeper insight into your injuries and help prove that you sustained your injuries during a motorcycle accident involving a negligent driver. Keep getting treatment for your injuries and do not allow gaps in your medical treatment.
After obtaining such documentation, we can interview eyewitnesses to see if they can corroborate your statement regarding the motorcycle accident in question. Eyewitness testimony can be hugely beneficial to your compensation claim in Carteret.
Proof of Damages in a Carteret, NJ Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
When suing a negligent driver in a lawsuit for a motorcycle accident in Carteret, victims must provide proof of their damages. Submitting proof of damages will allow you to recover sufficient compensation for your losses after establishing that a defendant is responsible for your injuries.
Economic Damages
First, consider your financial losses. Proof of economic damages in a claim includes documentation of your medical expenses and lost wages. If you incurred additional out-of-pocket expenses because of a motorcycle crash in Carteret, keep records of those losses as well. We will then compile all of your financial losses to determine the damages you are entitled to. If you do not have evidence of your economic damages, it will be harder for a judge or jury to determine your award. Furthermore, without proof of economic losses, there is little reason for you to file an injury lawsuit and recover compensation.
Non-Economic Damages
Proof of non-economic damages is not so straightforward. Unlike their counterpart, non-economic damages do not have a financial value. Because of this, you cannot tally up your emotional damages like you can your financial losses. So, to prove the need for non-economic damages, victims typically must get witness statements. Statements from therapists can be very compelling, as a therapist can attest to your emotional state following an accident. Close friends and family can also provide similarly useful statements, explaining your current quality of life and possible emotional difficulties. If you sustained life-changing injuries in an accident, such as paralysis, it may be easier for a judge or jury to award non-economic damages without additional proof of damages.
Punitive Damages
To recover punitive damages in Carteret, you must establish that the defendant should have reasonably foreseen the consequences of their actions at the time of the motorcycle accident. So, suppose the negligent driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol when they struck your motorcycle. Because a person’s reaction time and overall capabilities are reduced when they are intoxicated, it is easier to conclude that they acted with gross negligence at the time, entitling the victim to punitive damages. Punitive damages are not always recoverable in motorcycle injury claims in Carteret.
Call Jerry to Discuss Your Carteret, NJ Motorcycle Accident
You can call 1-800-529-4464 to set up a free case review with motorcycle accident lawyer Jerry Friedman.
