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Team Law Motorcycle Accident Attorney Fights for Clients in Cases Involving the Most Common Motorcycle Accident Causes in New Jersey
No motorist is more at risk on the road than motorcycle riders. The statistics are staggering; motorcyclists are five times more likely to sustain injuries and over 26 times more likely to die in an accident. In 2013 alone, there were 88,000 motorcyclist injuries in the United States. New Jersey is no exception. Motorcycle injuries can happen anywhere in this state, but the highest incidences occur on the following highways: 287, 206, 295, 202, 1, 3, 9, 22, 70 and 78. The New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway are often the scenes of serious bike wrecks.
Motorcyclists enjoy a sense of freedom unknown to many others.Attorney Andrew Prince appreciates this passion for riding and he believes that proper education can significantly reduce the risk of injury and death. Mr. Prince serves to educate the NJ public on safe motorcycle riding, but he understands that accidents happen. When accidents do happen, injuries are often extremely severe. They take a serious emotional and financial toll on everyone involved.
Mr. Prince specializes only this area of the law because it is so complex, and he knows how to successfully fight for the compensation you need to get your life back. He will also review your motorcycle insurance policy for free to make sure you are fully covered. Contact him today for a free consultation about your accident. Mr. Prince doesn’t back down to insurance companies and will work tirelessly to get you compensated for your injuries.
New Jersey Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Helps with Most Common Motorcycle Accident Causes in Edison, New Brunswick, Newark and Across the State
It is a common misconception that motorcyclists are usually at fault in a motorcycle/vehicle accident. The opposite is actually true. Car and truck drivers are easily distracted. Between trying to keep their eyes on the road and navigate traffic, they are juggling their GPS instructions, lunch, cell phones, passengers and the radio. It’s not unusual to see a driver reading a paper during the morning commute on the NJ Turnpike or even applying makeup! When is the last time you saw a motorcyclist doing any of the above?
Cars and trucks also have blind spots that motorcycles do not. The distraction of car and truck drivers, along with a common failure to yield to motorcycles puts bikers at greater risk. Other factors that increase the level of risk are the motorcycle’s one headlight vs. a vehicle’s two and the lack of protection provided by the enclosed space of a car or truck.Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Head-on collisions – accidents involving motorcycles and other vehicles make up 56% of all motorcycle related deaths
- Cars making left-hand turns – the most dangerous situation for motorcyclists
- Motorcycle lane splitting – occurs when a motorcyclist drives between slowly moving car lanes (usually in a traffic jam)
- Collisions between motorcycles and fixed objects – this type of collision accounts for 25% of motorcycle accidents
- Road hazards – the motorcycle’s smaller size and less stable nature increase the risk of accident from potholes, uneven lanes, slick road conditions and other road hazards
- Supersport and sport motorcycles – the death rate of sport motorcycle riders is over 4 times higher than that of conventional motorcycle riders
Accidents can also be caused by a defect with the motorcycle itself. For example, the motorcycle might shake or wobble when driven at high speeds. If the motorcycle is, indeed, defective, you may have a product liability claim. There are two types of product liability claims when it comes to defective motorcycles. The claim can either be for a defectively manufactured motorcycle or parts, or it can be for an unreasonably dangerous design. In either case, if you believe a defective product caused your accident, it is best to work with a skilled motorcycle attorney like Andrew Prince. He will work hard in concert with his product liability colleagues at Team Law to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Like it or not, there is a definite prejudice toward motorcycle drivers in the US; this negative attitude can even carry over to the courts. Judges and juries often decide in favor of the car or truck driver simply because of the stigma attached to motorcyclists. Andrew Prince focuses his practices specifically on motorcycle injury law. He has an impressive record of obtaining compensation for his clients.
Andrew Prince will fight aggressively to protect your rights if you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident. He is a rider advocate and gives frequent educational lectures at his main office in Clark, NJ. Mr. Prince handles motorcycle accident cases throughout Union and Middlesex Counties and across all the counties in the state of New Jersey.With over 25 years of experience, he is extremely knowledgeable in motorcycle law and will work relentlessly to get you the compensation you deserve. If you or someone you love has been involved in a motorcycle accident, contact Mr. Prince today for a free consultation.
Most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Motorcycle Accident Causes in New Jersey
Statistically, motorcycle accidents do not occur more frequently than any other type of accident; unfortunately, however, they are more likely to have a result that involves serious injury or even death. That being said, people have a love of riding their motorcycles, and it does not seem like that passion is going to go away anytime soon. It is because of this that it benefits all motorcyclists to be aware of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents before they go out onto the road – in hopes of reducing their chances of ever being involved in an accident.
Who Is At Fault During an Accident Involving a Left-Hand Turn?
Accounting for 42% of all accidents between an automobile and a motorcycle, cars making a left-hand turn can be one of the most dangerous situations for a motorcyclist to encounter. This is because when someone riding a motorcycle is driving straight through an intersection or trying to pass or overtake a car, they can easily be struck by a car making a left-hand turn. Often, the motorist will not see the smaller vehicle on the road. Normally, when it is two cars in this set of circumstances, the vehicle making the left-hand turn will be considered at fault. Yet, if it is a motorcyclist who is hit, and they were driving too fast or they were not in the correct lane, they could be considered partly at fault. Depending on the state the accident occurred in, this could lead to reduced, or even zero, compensation for the injured motorcyclist.
How Does Speeding and/or Use of Alcohol or Drugs Affect an NJ Motorcycle Accident?
Around 50% of accidents that involve a single motorcycle are caused by speeding or the use of alcohol when driving. This does not differ too much from the percentages for an accident involving cars or other vehicles. However, since motorcycles are smaller than cars and do not offer the same type of protection that a larger car would be able to, these accidents can have much more severe consequences.
How Dangerous is it Being Hit Head-On in a Motorcycle Accident?
A troubling statistic is that crashes that involve a motorcycle and another vehicle account for 56% of all deaths in motorcycle accidents. Even worse is that 78% of the time, the motorcycle is struck in a head-on collision, which can often lead to death. A motorcycle getting struck from the rear is very rare, so any motorcyclist must be aware of the dangers of being hit head-on in any sort of collision.
What is Lane Splitting and is it Allowed in New Jersey?
Lane splitting is something that occurs when a motorcycle drives between two normal lanes of cars that are either stopped or driving slowly. Depending on the location, as well as the circumstances prior to the accident, lane splitting may be allowed; however, due to the small space that the motorcyclist is driving in, as well as the close proximity they have to the other cars on the road, there are plenty of chances for an accident to happen whenever lane splitting occurs. Add to this the fact that most cars are not expecting a motorist to pass them in between lanes in heavy traffic, and lane splitting is another common cause for a motorcycle accident.
What Are Motorcycle Collisions with Fixed Objects?
When a motorcycle collision occurs with a fixed object it may be possible to hold the parties responsible for the presence of the stationary object in or near the roadway accountable for your accident and subsequent injuries. Examples of fixed objects may include:
– Buildings
– Trees
– Guardrails
– Telephone poles
– Walls
– Barriers
– Fences
– Parked cars
– Cones
– Construction signs
This is another situation where the safety of being behind the wheel of a large car is gone, and any accident that occurs is more likely to be a fatal one due to the speed and impact of being thrown from a motorcycle after a collision. Only 18% of car deaths are attributed to a collision with a fixed object, but that number jumps to 25% for those riding a motorcycle.
How Does Driver Negligence Contribute to Motorcycle Accidents?
Other motorists have an obligation to pay attention to the roadway at all times. Unfortunately, far too many drivers are distracted, drunk, or otherwise negligent — which can lead to dangerous collisions.
Do Poor Road Conditions Cause Motorcycle Accidents?
Any irregularity on the road, such as uneven pavement, loose gravel, or a pothole, can pose a significant hazard for motorcyclists.
What Poor Weather Conditions Typically Cause Motorcycle Accidents?
Heavy rain, strong gusts of wind, and snow present major difficulties for motorcyclists who may struggle to see cars, trucks, and other vehicles as their vision is impeded.
How Do Bike Defects Effect Motorcycle Accidents?
A defective motorcycle, or a defective motorcycle part, can lead to a single-vehicle motorcycle accident. Whether it’s a design defect or a manufacturing defect, you could be at risk of significant injuries when the bike malfunctions.
Why Do Sudden Stops Cause So Many Motorcycle Accidents?
When a motor vehicle comes to a sudden stop in the middle of the road, or while turning at an intersection, a motorcyclist traveling behind the vehicle may have a hard time slamming on the brakes quickly enough to avoid a rear-end collision.
