North Arlington Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle accidents often leave victims with significant injuries and extensive damages to cover. The best way to get compensation for your losses is by filing a lawsuit.

Jerry has spent years helping his clients get justice for negligent drivers. As a rider himself, he understands the challenges victims face in getting the compensation they deserve. He knows how to fight negative stereotypes and biases against riders that have no place in deciding a lawsuit. With his help, you can get a full accounting of your damages. You can pursue damages for losses like your medical bills and lost wages. However, you can also claim the non-economic losses that usually stem from a motorcycle accident, like physical pain and emotional suffering.

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

How to Keep Track of Your Damages After a Motorcycle Accident in North Arlington, NJ

While liability is the paramount issue in a lawsuit, proving it will mean nothing if you do not have evidence of your damages. “Damages” are the losses you suffered as a result of another person’s negligence. The two types of damages that are typically awarded in a motorcycle accident claim are economic and non-economic losses.

Most people are familiar with the first type, as most victims will be thinking about how to cover costs like their medical expenses. The second type, non-economic damages, is a little more misunderstood. The last form of damages you could get in your case is “punitive” damages, which are rare.

As a motorcycle accident lawyer with years of experience, Jerry can help accurately assess all your damages. This way, you understand what you claim is worth and do not have to settle for less than that. The following are the damages you should keep track of in North Arlington so you do not miss out on any of the compensation you deserve:

Economic Losses

Economic damages are the losses most people think of when they consider filing a lawsuit. These are the damages that victims usually feel the most immediate impact from. Economic losses include medical expenses from your emergency room visit, hospital stays, medications, and surgeries. However, motorcycle accidents often leave victims with long-term injuries. Fortunately, Jerry can also help calculate your future medical care needs so those expenses are included in your claim.

Your injuries might also prevent you from working, either temporarily or permanently. Your lost wages will also be included in your economic losses. In some cases, you might have been completely out of work for a length of time. If so, Jerry can assess your daily wage to determine a value for your settlement. However, you can also be compensated for the difference in pay if you go back to work but in a limited capacity. In other cases, you might never be able to work again because of your injuries. In these cases, Jerry can help negotiate a satisfactory amount to compensate for your inability to work.

You can also claim property damage to your bike. Even minor motorcycle collisions can cause severe structural damage to your motorcycle. If you need a replacement or significant repairs to get it back on the road, Jerry will include those costs. Out-of-pocket expenses like travel costs while your bike was being repaired and other costs will also be included if they were part of dealing with your case.

Economic damages are relatively simple to calculate. In most cases, you will have bills, invoices, and receipts for these expenses. That is why it is important to keep records of every provider and business you visited in connection with your accident claim. Your lost wages can usually be shown with paystubs and tax records. The other half of your damages will be non-financial, which is more difficult to document.

Non-Economic Losses

Non-economic damages will typically make up the other portion of the compensation you receive for your injuries. Not all injuries are physical. Most people understand that victims will have some measure of “pain and suffering” when they endure a traumatic event. If your pain and suffering were caused by another person, they should be responsible for compensating those losses just as they should for economic damages.

However, these damages are harder to calculate and, thus, harder to keep track of. Still, the drop in your quality of life will likely be noticeable after the accident. For instance, you might wake up every morning with physical pain from your injuries, even though your doctors have told you they have done everything they can. You might also have severe anxiety or PTSD, especially when thinking about getting back on your bike.

Not being able to ride might mean missing out on quality time with friends and family. This causes depression for many motorcyclists, along with a loss in their enjoyment of life. A victim might also feel humiliated every time they cover up if they have scarring or are disfigured. You can be compensated for these emotional losses and more.

While these damages are hard to quantify, they are commonly awarded in motorcycle accident lawsuits. The best way to prove these damages is with your own testimony. You will be able to explain best how your injuries have impacted your life. If it has strained your relationships with friends and family or caused you to miss out on once-loved hobbies, it will come out in your statements. It is also worth keeping a journal or seeking mental health counseling, as these records can support your claims of pain and suffering.

Punitive Damages

In some motorcycle accident lawsuits, it will be necessary to make a claim for “punitive” damages. Known as exemplary damages in New Jersey, these damages are not considered “compensatory” like the damages above. Instead, these damages are intended to punish the defendant for the actions that caused the accident. According to N.J.S.A. § 2A:15-5.10, punitive damages can be claimed if there were aggravating circumstances giving rise to the accident. They are also intended to deter the defendant from behaving the same way in the future by making the mistake costly.

“Aggravating circumstances” can include behavior that shows a willful disregard or reckless indifference to the likelihood of harm they could cause. For example, drunk driving would fall under this definition. Punitive damages will also be awarded if the defendant’s acts showed “actual malice.” This means a deliberate attempt to cause harm, such as when a driver purposefully runs a motorcycle off the road. Jerry can review your case to see if these damages should be claimed.

Our North Arlington, NJ Motorcycle Accident Attorney is Ready to Help You Today

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