How Long Do You Have to Report a Motorcycle Accident Injury in New Jersey?
A motorcycle accident injury can be difficult to endure. It can be complicated for victims to determine the proper course of action. Many of those harmed in motorcycle accidents wonder how long they have to report their injury.
You should report your motorcycle accident injury to the police immediately after your crash. After the accident, you must remain at the scene until an officer arrives. Afterwards, you should quickly contact a motorcycle accident lawyer for help notifying your insurance company and filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit.
If you were injured because of a motorcycle accident in New Jersey, get help recovering the compensation you deserve. Contact an experienced New Jersey motorcycle accident lawyer by calling Jerry Friedman at 1-800-529-4464 for a free case review.
When to Report a Motorcycle Accident Injury to the Police in New Jersey
You should report your motorcycle accident injury to the police immediately after your crash. If you flee the scene of an accident, you may be charged with a hit and run. Drivers who flee the scene of an accident that causes an injury may be charged with a traffic offense under N.J.S.A. § 39:4-129, and a criminal offense under N.J.S.A. § 2C:12-1.1. The following penalties may accompany such charges:
- Jail time
- Points on your license
- Suspension of your license
- Fines
Accordingly, you should remain at the scene of your accident and report your injury to the police right away. After reporting your injury, an officer will visit the scene to create an official accident report.
An officer’s accident report can be very important when seeking financial compensation related to your injuries. These reports provide information that can help a Trenton motorcycle accident lawyer prove who was at fault. For instance, a report may contain the following information:
- Statements from drivers involved in a motorcycle crash
- Statements from eyewitnesses present at the scene
- Details regarding the location of the crash
- Details regarding the people and vehicles involved in the crash
- A diagram of the crash
- An officer’s notes on how or why an accident occurred
Accident reports are often one of the first pieces of evidence assessed by insurance companies when investigating an accident. Furthermore, even if an accident report is not admitted into court as evidence, it can be highly valuable when negotiating for a fair settlement before trial.
Therefore, you should report your motorcycle accident injury to the police right away. It is a necessary step towards recovering monetary damages related to your injuries.
What if I Did Not Report a Motorcycle Accident Injury to the Police in New Jersey?
In some cases, motorcycle accident victims may forget to call the police after suffering an injury. Furthermore, in rare instances, the police may fail to show up at the scene of your accident.
If the police did not arrive at the scene of your crash do draft an accident report, you may file your own report through New Jersey’s self-reporting system. You have 10 days after an accident to file your own accident report with the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT). The report may be submitted by following a link on the NJDOT website. A Woodbridge motorcycle accident lawyer can offer help when filling out your report.
When to Report a Motorcycle Accident Injury to Your Insurance Company in New Jersey
You will usually recover financial compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company after a motorcycle accident in New Jersey. However, you should still report your injury to your own insurance company as soon as possible after a crash.
You are not required by law to report your injury to your own insurer. However, many insurance policies require that all injuries be reported. Failing to report your accident to your insurer may cause your insurance rates to increase.
When reporting your injury to insurer, they will likely ask that you provide a statement. When providing your statement, you should avoid apologizing or admitting fault. Apologetic statements and admissions of fault can be used against you at a later date, even if they were spoken to your own insurer.
Additionally, you should not downplay your injuries when providing your statement. Some victims will suggest that they “will be fine” or that their injuries are “no big deal” when making a statement. Even if your injuries seem minor at the time, they have the potential to worsen. You should not make statements minimizing the severity of your injuries until after you have sought a medical assessment.
You can contact an experienced Middletown motorcycle accident lawyer for guidance and support when reporting your injury to your insurer.
When to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in New Jersey
The time limit to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit is established by New Jersey’s statute of limitations. According to N.J.S.A. § 2A:14-2, you will typically have two years after a crash to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit. However, you should not wait to file your claim. Crucial evidence can become difficult to collect over time. For instance, important witnesses can become difficult to contact and relevant physical evidence from the scene may become lost. By filing your case as early as possible, you can more easily gather the evidence required for your case to succeed.
Furthermore, there are numerous requirements that plaintiffs must comply with when filing a motorcycle accident case. For example, plaintiffs must have a complete and valid claim, attach necessary supporting documents, file their case in the correct court, pay any required court fees, and serve all defendants. Failure to meet any of these conditions could force you to re-file your case. The time it takes to re-file your case could cause you to miss the two-year deadline. Accordingly, you should also file your case early to afford yourself time to re-file if necessary.
If You Were Injured Because of a Motorcycle Accident in New Jersey, Our Lawyers Can Help
If you were injured because of a motorcycle accident, seek assistance from an experienced Atlantic City motorcycle accident lawyer by calling Jerry Friedman at 1-800-529-4464 for a free case review.
