New Jersey Attorney for Spinal Injuries Caused by Motorcycle Wrecks
Riding a motorcycle is fun and exciting. Driving down an open road with just two wheels between you and the highway is thrilling. However, that freedom and exhilaration comes at a price. Motorcyclists are not as protected as someone in another vehicle. Because of this, when a motorcyclist is involved in an accident, they are liable to suffer devastating injuries. One of the more catastrophic injuries is damage to a rider’s spinal cord.
Our New Jersey attorney for spinal injuries caused by motorcycle wrecks has been fighting for the rights of riders and their families for years. Jerry Friedman, Esq. is not only an experienced personal injury attorney, he is an avid motorcyclist. He understands the highway’s call and the effects an injury can have on a rider and their family. If you or a loved one was hurt in a motorcycle crash, call 1-800-LAW-4-HOGS (1-800-529-4464) to schedule a free consultation.
Spinal Cord Injuries in New Jersey Motorcycle Accidents
Spinal cord injuries occur when the spinal cord or spinal column undergoes trauma or force. When a motorcyclist is involved in an accident with another vehicle, their body is exposed to significant pressure and forces without the aid of much protection.
When a rider’s back or neck is injured, they could suffer spinal cord damage. The severity of the injury often depends on the force of the trauma and the injury’s location. Your spinal cord consists of 33 individual segments that create a route for your nerves that transmit signals between your brain and the rest of your body. Therefore, where your spinal cord is damaged will impact what nerves are affected by the trauma.
Depending on where a motorcyclist’s spinal cord is damaged, they could experience neurological impairments that adversely affect their respiratory, gastrointestinal, or musculature systems. Because of the severity of many spinal injuries, motorcycle accidents victims often find that their ordinary life is drastically changed. It is not uncommon for the physical injuries associated with spinal cord damage to result in emotional, mental, and financial harm.
Not every spinal cord injury is apparent at the time of the accident. A motorcyclist might walk away from a crash with a bruise or slight discoloration of their back coupled with a bit of soreness. However, what appears to be only soft tissue damage could be a significant spinal cord injury. It is crucial to seek medical treatment after a motorcycle accident, even if you believe you did not suffer a serious injury.
Liability for a Motorcycle Accident and Spinal Injury in New Jersey
In many cases, when an accident occurs between a motorcycle and another vehicle, the motorcyclist is not at fault. However, motorcyclists have a reputation for being reckless and embracing danger. Jerry Friedman is a personal injury attorney and motorcyclist who understands both the law and the hurdles facing an injured rider.
To hold another driver liable for your injuries, you must prove four elements to establish that the defendant’s conduct was negligent.
First, there must have been a duty of care. Every motorist on the road owes everyone else a duty to operate their vehicle safely. Demonstrating that a defendant owed an injured motorcyclist a duty of care is typically not difficult.
Next, our New Jersey motorcycle accident attorney will have to show that the defendant breached that duty of care. When a driver is speeding, improperly changing lanes, ignoring traffic signals, or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they are breaching their duty to operate their vehicle safely.
Once a breach is established, our New Jersey motorcycle attorney will have to prove that the conduct caused your injury. If a driver makes an illegal turn and collides with a motorcycle, the injuries likely resulted from reckless behavior.
Finally, a motorcyclist must have sustained actual damages. If a motorcyclist suffers a spinal injury, they could be facing significant medical expenses, possible surgeries, physical therapy, and potentially a life-long disability that will impair their ability to earn a living.
Damages Available for Spinal Injuries Caused by a Motorcycle Wreck in New Jersey
Spinal cord injuries are serious and typically require intensive medical treatment and care, such as spinal surgery, physical therapy, and chiropractic treatment. The expense of this treatment could be devastating to a motorcyclist and their family. It is not uncommon for a victim of a spinal injury to need life-long assistance, such as a wheelchair or modifications to their home.
You are entitled to seek compensation for these expenses and more in a personal injury lawsuit. Some additional medical expenses that you could recover include the cost of the ambulance ride, emergency room care, follow-up doctor’s appointments, diagnostic tests, and even travel expenses to your doctor or the hospital.
In addition to the medical expenses, spinal cord damage could leave you paralyzed or otherwise disabled. If you cannot return to work, you could recover the income you would have earned if you were not hurt.
An injured motorcyclist is not limited to financial expenses. You could be awarded monetary compensation for your emotional and physical pain, including the loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, or mental distress.
Call Our New Jersey Attorney for Spinal Injuries Caused by Motorcycle Wrecks for a Free Consultation
Motorcycles present an added risk to their riders for various reasons, including their size and the lack of protection they provide. Unfortunately, when an accident occurs, a motorcyclist is more likely to suffer a devastating injury than a driver in a car or truck. Our New Jersey motorcycle accident lawyer for spinal injures caused by motorcycle wrecks understands the impact a catastrophic injury can have. Jerry Friedman, Esq. is dedicated to fighting for the rights of motorcyclists and their families. For a free consultation, call our office today at 1-800-LAW-4-HOGS (1-800-529-4464).
