NJ Lawyer for Fatal Motorcycle Accidents
The compensation for a motorcycle accident that has claimed the life of a loved one is often substantial, and insurance companies often fight back. They try every means necessary to either deny the claim or reduce it drastically. Some insurance companies will quickly offer you an out-of-court settlement with an amount far below the appropriate amount. Without the help of an NJ lawyer for fatal motorcycle accidents, you may be tempted to take this offer. By the time you find out the real amount you could have received, it might be too late.
Call Jerry Friedman today for help with a lawsuit for a fatal motorcycle accident case. Our attorney represents families and loved ones of riders who lost their lives in serious motorcycle crashes. We work to get you financial compensation for the effects on your family and the financial harm you face from the motorcycle accident death. To schedule a free case consultation, call our law offices today at 1-800-LAW-4-HOGS.
How to Sue for a Deadly Motorcycle Accident in New Jersey
When you involve an accident lawyer early enough, your attorney will be able to guide you through offers from the insurance company and the at-fault driver. Although we might not be able to predict the exact amount you deserve in the beginning of your case, our experience with similar cases helps us arrive at a good estimate. Then, we can start guiding you through your options for receiving compensation.
In most cases, insurance claims will fall short of full compensation. Instead, your case might be better if it is filed in court as a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver. Our attorney can help draw up the proper paperwork and submit your claim to help you and your family get the compensation you need.
Typically, these lawsuits can be filed on behalf of the victim’s immediate family, meaning that a spouse, child, or parent can file the lawsuit. Other individuals listed as heirs in the deceased’s will might also be able to make a claim.
As your case progresses, it is important to keep the case confidential. Any information you share could jeopardize your chances of winning. Insurance companies will often hire lawyers and investigators to help put holes in your case so they can avoid paying you the full amount. They will come to the scene of the accident, and they may interrogate you in a deposition to gain information about the case. Your lawyer will usually advise you not to make public comments on any legal issue, including social media posts.
Proving Fault for Fatal Motorcycle Accidents in NJ
The ultimate question in your claim will be the question of who was at fault. Many motorcycle accident cases occur between a rider on a motorcycle and a driver in another car. In many cases, crashes occur because the other vehicle’s driver was not watching for motorcycles. It is rarer that the motorcyclist would be in the wrong.
Traffic laws, such as laws against speeding, drunk driving, and distracted driving, are often useful in proving what the at-fault driver did wrong. In many cases, eyewitness reports, traffic cam footage, and testimony from other people involved in the crash can help prove what happened. This helps you hold the at-fault driver responsible for the crash.
What to Expect in a Wrongful Death Lawsuit for a Motorcycle Crash in NJ
After the case is filed, there will be a period where your case will be handled mostly by your lawyer. During this time, your lawyer and the lawyer for the other driver will submit various documents with the court. They will also seek court orders to collect evidence, get questions answered, and schedule depositions.
Your case might be adjourned several times, and it may require multiple court appearances. This may be difficult for you if your schedule is tight or your injuries are severe. Your lawyer can help with each appearance and give you feedback after every proceeding.
If the defendant offers a fair settlement before the case goes to trial, your lawyer will inform you and help you make a decision about whether to accept the settlement. In some cases, going to trial can be expensive. Additionally, no amount of evidence can ever guarantee a victory at trial. In many cases, negotiated settlement agreements are fair and help you maximize your compensation while cutting court costs and attorney’s fees. However, the right to settle your case or fight the case at trial is ultimately your decision. That means that your lawyer can only help you with the choice, not make it for you.
If your case does go to trial, your lawyer can present evidence of how the crash occurred, what your loved one went through in their final moments, and what the at-fault driver did wrong to cause the crash. If the jury believes your case, they should rule in your favor.
Damages in a Motorcycle Death Claim in New Jersey
The damages that you can claim in your case will vary depending on the specific facts of the case. In many fatal motorcycle crashes, the deceased is killed instantly. This means that there are no medical expenses or pain and suffering at the end of their life. However, if your family member lingered after receiving fatal injuries, the pain and suffering and the medical care costs could be substantial. These kinds of harms can be compensated in court through damages to the deceased’s family.
Your family will also face other harms – both economic and emotional – after losing a loved one in a motorcycle crash. The financial harm of losing someone who provided income to your family will mean that you need compensation for those lost wages. You will also need payments for other financial effects like lost inheritances, lost investments, and the cost of lost household services. The cost of burial and funeral expenses should be compensated.
The emotional pain of losing a loved one can also lead to damages. Although money cannot repair the loss, it can help you. Damages for lost companionship, lost spousal services, lost counsel, and other effects could be compensated. This is true even though there may be no fair way to put a price on these things.
As mentioned, it is not always immediately clear what damages you are entitled to in your case. Because of this, it is important to have a lawyer review your case to calculate your damages and expenses. Your lawyer will review the costs related to the accident and compare your family’s finances before and after the crash. These financial records will help supply evidence for use at trial.
In some cases, we may need to use financial experts to help go over your finances and make projections of future financial harm. This can help you claim damages for future lost wages. These are the wages that your loved one would have received had they continued working, been promoted, and worked until their expected retirement age.
Call Our NJ Lawyers for Motorcycle Accident Deaths for a Free Case Consultation
The aftermath of losing a loved one might be one of the hardest times of your life. It is important to start thinking about the financial effects of the loss and consider taking the at-fault driver to court. A wrongful death lawsuit can help you get compensation for your loved one’s death. If a loved one was killed in a fatal motorcycle accident, call Jerry Friedman today. To set up a free, confidential consultation with our NJ lawyer for fatal motorcycle accidents, call us at 1-800-LAW-4-HOGS