What Are the Leading Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in New Jersey?

By Greg Kohn
Partner

Motorcycle riding is a popular activity, especially during the summer and fall months when the weather outside is sunny and beautiful. Riding a motorcycle can be an enjoyable way to explore the scenery and smaller towns in states like New Jersey. With all of the common causes of motorcycle accidents, it could deter you from this amazing experience.

However, the smaller size of motorcycles means they have a higher chance of being involved in an accident. Many crashes occur when a car is trying to move across lanes as a motorcycle is in their blind spot. Since motorcyclists do not have the same protections afforded by a car, any accidents can have devastating consequences. To secure your rights after a motorcycle accident, it is wise to speak with a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.

What Are The Most Common Injuries?

Road Rash: If the skin is not properly protected and covered, a motorcycle accident can lead to instances of road rash. Road rash can be very painful when the skin burns or suffers from lacerations, especially if it becomes infected.

Head Injuries: Wearing a helmet can significantly decrease the chances of suffering a traumatic brain injury after an accident, but some motorcyclists choose to go without one while on the road. Hitting your head on hard pavement after an accident can easily lead to death or severe disability.

What Are The Leading Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

Motorcycle accidents in New Jersey have been trending upward in recent years. Data released a few months ago by the Governor’s Highway Safety Association said motorcycle deaths increased by 15% in the last year. In fact, 2017 was the deadliest year for bikers in a decade.

In the wake of the report, some experts weighed in on various factors that could be causing the increase in motorcycle accidents and deaths in the state.

Some pointed to the rising age of people using a motorcycle, and noted how older riders might not have the physical skills or reaction times necessary to avoid an accident while out on the road.

Issues like distracted driving, speeding, and driving while under the influence were cited as major causes of motorcycle crashes and deaths in New Jersey. These conclusions have also been supported by data collected by local law enforcement agencies.

Distracted Driving: More and more motorists are distracted by technology while driving, which has led to an increase in accidents involving motorcycles. Accidents from cell phone use have gone up each year in the state as police officers track their role in an accident more accurately.

Distracted driving can be especially dangerous in instances of bad weather or when someone is speeding.

Impaired Driving:  Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol puts everyone on the road at a great risk. Since motorcycles are smaller in size and might not be easily seen in some instances, impaired drivers might not see or not have enough time to react to avoid an accident with a motorcycle.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact our team at Nagel Rice, LLP today for personalized, competent advice on your case.

About the Author
Greg Kohn is a partner at Nagel Rice and specializes in complex civil litigation cases, including professional malpractice, personal injury, class actions, wrongful death, products liability, and commercial litigation.  He has extensive experience representing clients in both state and federal court. Greg has tried many jury trials to verdict and has recovered over $50 million in settlements and verdicts in all types of personal injury matters including automobile accidents, wrongful death cases, slip and falls, and other catastrophic injury cases. Greg also handles medical malpractice cases, involving misdiagnoses, wrongful birth, and delayed cancer diagnosis. If you have questions regarding this article, you can contact Greg here.