Englewood, NJ Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Riding your motorcycle around Englewood is often a pleasurable experience. However, driver negligence might give you cause to file a lawsuit.

Negligent drivers are a serious problem for riders in Englewood. Fortunately, Jerry has decades of experience getting justice for motorcyclists and their families. You have every right to use the road safely and with respect. If another driver does not pay you the attention you deserve or actively tries to deny you use of the road, Jerry can help you get compensation for your injuries. After the initial meeting, his firm will begin collecting important evidence to prove your claim. He will be sure to get your testimony to add to the other pieces of evidence used to prove the harm you suffered.

For a free case evaluation today, call experienced motorcycle accident lawyer Jerry Friedman at 1-800-529-4464.

How Motorcycle Accidents Typically Happen in Englewood, NJ

There is a misconception that many motorcycle accidents are the rider’s fault. The truth is that the majority of these accidents are caused by negligent drivers. Still, defense lawyers and insurance companies will rely on the mistaken belief that motorcyclists are more careless as a cover to lower your compensation. As an experienced rider himself, Jerry can help you fight these baseless claims. His team is experienced with how motorcycle accidents occur and how to prove them in court. The following are common ways riders are injured in Englewood:

Distracted Driving

Texting and driving is a serious problem in Englewood and throughout New Jersey. When you combine this with speeding, deadly motorcycle accidents can happen. It only takes a split second for a driver to take their eyes off the road and crash into a motorcycle.

However, it is not the only way for a driver to get distracted behind the wheel. Some drivers are too busy having lunch while driving or even recording videos to stream to the internet. Passengers can also add to the distraction, pulling at the driver’s attention.

Not Giving Motorcycles Respect on the Road

Sometimes, motorcyclists are flat-out not given the respect they deserve from other drivers in Englewood. Riders have the same rights as any other driver and are owed a duty of care from them. Some drivers act so aggressively that they might push you out of a lane or tailgate you as intimidation. In reckless cases, a driver might run you completely off the road and cause you to crash.

Many of these driving behaviors go beyond mere negligence. Instead, they exhibit the driver’s reckless disregard for others. If your accident was caused like this, our lawyers can typically pursue “punitive” damages to punish the defendant’s egregious behavior.

Not Checking for Motorcycles

Other drivers might have no problem with motorcycle riders and their lifestyle, they just fail to check carefully for them before acting. Cars can have numerous blind spots, which are areas that block certain angles of the driver’s view. However, drivers cannot claim that they failed to notice a motorcycle because they did not check their blind spots. Drivers are required to make sure the circumstances are safe before changing lanes, including looking past areas that block their view.

It is also common for drivers to make illegal turns, cutting off riders trailing behind. This can lead to deadly accidents because the rider might T-bone the car, causing them to skid across the pavement. Jerry can help you prove it was the other driver’s fault for not looking out for your motorcycle.

Malfunctioning Motorcycles and Parts

While rare, there might not be another driver involved in your motorcycle accident. That is because some accidents are caused by defective motorcycles. Accidents of this nature typically occur because there is some flaw in the design or manufacture of the motorcycle. In those cases, we might file a claim against a motorcycle company, such as Harley-Davidson or BMW.

If the accident was caused by a specific part of the bike that was not manufactured by the motorcycle company, we might still be able to pursue compensation from the company that produced the part. Our team has the experience to overcome the challenges and complexities that often arise in these cases.

Driving Under the Influence

Drunk driving has the potential to result in catastrophic and life-ending motorcycle accidents. Those driving drunk react slower and might not attempt to avoid the accident before it happens. Even braking and swerving out of the way at the moment of impact can save a rider’s life. But with drunk drivers, much of the damage is done before they realize the gravity of the situation. The court also considers this behavior reckless and will usually award punitive damages in DUI cases.

Evidence that Can Prove Your Motorcycle Accident Claim in Englewood, NJ

Winning a motorcycle accident claim usually requires various forms of evidence. Our team can track down the following evidence and put it to use for you:

Accident Reports

The police will almost always investigate a motorcycle accident. After they do, they will file a crash report. This report can be helpful to your case in many ways. It will contain the potential defendant’s information and observations made by the police. While the report usually cannot be evidence in a trial, it can support insurance negotiations.

Photos

Photos of your accident and injuries will also help back up your testimony. Photos also help the court better understand how the accident occurred. Pictures from different angles of the accident scene and nearby landmarks give more context to the crash and can contradict the claims the defendant makes.

Medical Records

Medical records will be critical to your claim. Your medical evidence is what the court will assess to determine if your injuries are as serious as you claim. If you failed to make scheduled appointments or did not get care until long after the accident, your medical records could be used against you.

Testimony

Personal testimony is often necessary to establish the elements of a case. You will likely testify about how you were injured on your motorcycle and identify for the court as the defendant that caused the accident. In most cases, you will also need to testify as to your “pain and suffering.” This means explaining to the court how your injuries have impacted your life. This testimony can be sensitive, but we can help you prepare.

Witness testimony can also be important. If witnesses exchanged contact information with you or we identified them in your police report, we can arrange for them to testify on your behalf.

Our Englewood, NJ Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Are Ready to Fight for You

To schedule a free case review, contact motorcycle accident lawyer Jerry Friedman by calling 1-800-529-4464.