What Types of Damages Can You Receive After a Motorcycle Accident in New Jersey?

Motorcycle accidents tend to be very damaging for victims, leaving them to wonder what expenses and losses they can recover if they file lawsuits against negligent drivers.

You can recover compensation for all financial and intangible damages you incur from a motorcycle crash due to negligence in New Jersey. Regarding economic damages, these should cover your medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and any other costs we confirm stem from the crash. Comparatively, non-economic damages attempt to compensate victims for the physical pain and mental suffering they endure, which are subjective. Jerry will focus on maximizing the damages you receive at the end of your lawsuit, whether they come from an out-of-court settlement or jury award.

For a free case assessment from New Jersey motorcycle accident lawyer Jerry Friedman, call 1-800-529-4464 today.

What Types of Damages Can Victims Get After Motorcycle Accidents in New Jersey

When filing a lawsuit against a negligent driver for a motorcycle accident, our goal is to make the plaintiff whole again by recovering compensation for all damages they have incurred, starting with financial expenses. We will also assert your need for non-economic damages throughout your case and can go to court if punitive damages are likely based on the defendant’s conduct.

Economic Damages

The first set of recoverable damages from motorcycle crashes is economic damages. Any financial losses or expenses you have incurred due to negligence, such as medical damages, will fall into this category. We will note the cost of all treatments you receive immediately after the collision and in the following days and weeks so we can accurately tally your losses.

In addition to the cost of your injuries, we can confirm the total property damage to your motorcycle to recover repair or replacement costs. When victims need to take time off of work as they physically recover, they might suffer lost wages. We can use paystubs and recent income statements to confirm your previous earnings so that you do not have to face the financial consequences of being temporarily disabled.

Furthermore, suppose you require transportation accommodations to and from the hospital for treatment, home alterations to accommodate permanent injuries, or additional in-home medical support. In that case, we can estimate the cost of these expenses and seek relief for them in your lawsuit against a negligent driver.

Non-Economic Damages

Unlike economic damages, which can be proven using bills and invoices, non-economic damages are subjective. They are based on an individual victim’s pain and suffering from their specific injuries. For example, a permanent brain injury during a motorcycle accident could have life-long consequences, lowering the quality of a victim’s day-to-day life. Many motorcycle accident injuries are physically painful and difficult to heal from, contributing to the emotional distress and mental suffering victims experience following collisions. Estimating your intangible losses before settlement negotiations is crucial so that you do not unintentionally accept a lowball offer that doesn’t consider your pain and suffering.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are awarded when plaintiffs prove defendants acted with actual malice or wanton and willful disregard for others’ safety. For example, drunk drivers hitting motorcyclists might lead to punitive damages when victims go to court and prove defendants’ liability for their injuries and actual losses. New Jersey limits punitive damages to the greater of $350,000 or five times the compensatory damages awarded in a case, according to N.J.S.A. § 2A:15-5.14(6)(b), and we can explain whether or not you are eligible for punitive damages when initially reviewing the defendant’s conduct.

Can You Receive Compensation for Future Damages from a Motorcycle Accident?

While many victims are most concerned with covering expenses they have already incurred from a motorcycle accident, it is also important to consider upcoming damages so they are also recouped, whether in a settlement or jury award.

When initially making requests for relief in injury complaints, Jerry will factor victims’ future damages into our calculations. For example, it’s not uncommon for motorcycle accident victims to need multiple surgeries or, at the very least, follow-up visits with physicians to monitor their physical recoveries. They may need to undergo many sessions of physical therapy, see specialists, or engage in other rehabilitative treatments, some of which might be scheduled long after lawsuits end.

With this in mind, Camden, NJ motorcycle accident lawyer Jerry Friedman may have the physicians who have treated you and other qualified medical experts give statements explaining the upcoming care you will need, why it is necessary, and how much it will cost.

We can approach your lost wages similarly, heeding doctors’ assessments of your permanent injuries and how they will affect your earning capacity in the long term.

How to Receive the Types of Damages You Need After a Motorcycle Accident in New Jersey

To get the damages you need after a motorcycle accident, we will start by filing the case on time. The statute of limitations for motorcycle injury cases is generally two years under § 2A:14-2(a). The longer you wait to file, the more questions could arise about the severity of your injuries and your need for compensatory damages, so do not hesitate to initiate your claim.

In addition to filing the lawsuit before the statute of limitations runs out, you will need to present evidence of your damages to support relief requests made in the complaint. For economic damages, evidence comes in the form of bills, invoices, proof of previous income, and expert statements. For non-economic damages, evidence comes in the form of victims’ personal statements and expert witness testimony. Our team can use this evidence to support counters during settlement negotiations or to guide jury awards when lawsuits go to trial.

Call Jerry to Talk About Your Motorcycle Crash in New Jersey

Call Atlantic City, NJ motorcycle accident lawyer Jerry Friedman today at 1-800-529-4464 for help with your case.