Nagel Rice, LLP is a well-established New Jersey personal injury practice of trial attorneys with an extremely successful history of verdicts and settlements for motorcycle drivers. From our conveniently located offices in Roseland and Manhattan, we have won nearly $30 million for motorcycle drivers who have been seriously injured in accidents caused by the negligence of others. If you have been injured in an accident caused by an inexperienced motorcycle driver, count on Nagel Rice LLP to be at your side.
Even the most enthusiastic bikers know that the risks associated with motorcycle riding are much greater than those for drivers of cars, though some may not be aware that inexperienced motorcyclists are at the greatest risk.
At Nagel Rice, our highly skilled lawyers are steadfast in their support of your right to enjoy the open air freedom of motorcycle travel, and we understand that every biker starts out without experience. This content is designed to help you keep you as safe as possible as you start your adventurous journeys, and to assure you that our attorneys always have your back.
Why All Motorcycle Drivers Are at Increased Risk of Being Injured on the Road
For one thing, anyone driving a motorcycle is at more risk of serious injury simply because he or she is:
- Not enclosed in the protective metal cage of an automobile
- Riding a much less stable vehicle than a car, balanced on two wheels instead of four.
- Riding a much smaller, lighter weight vehicle than most others on the road
- Riding a vehicle that requires more skill and balance than ordinary driving
- Riding a vehicle that, because it is so small and narrow, is much less visible to other drivers, particularly at night or in bad weather
In many instances, however, inexperienced motorcycle drivers have accidents due to the negligence or recklessness of other drivers who may be distracted, abusing substances, or, in too many cases, failing to take into account the possibility that they are sharing the road with two-wheeled motor vehicles. If you are seriously injured in such a situation, Nagel Rice is here to help you receive the compensation you need and deserve to recover from your injuries and restart your life.
Why is an inexperienced motorcycle driver is especially at risk in an accident?
One might think that individuals new to motorcycle driving would be more cautious, and therefore safer than their more experienced counterparts. Nonetheless, according to the Highway Loss Data Institute, riders are four times more likely to crash in their first month on a motorcycle than in their entire second year of riding.
Furthermore, in spite of the fact that New Jersey requires bikers to wear protective helmets, and even though motorcycle mortality rates have decreased in recent years, motorcyclists are still vastly over-represented in traffic fatality statistics. Let’s examine the reasons for this.
All inexperienced drivers need practice on an enclosed course with an experienced teacher. In New Jersey, a motorcycle driving course is required to obtain a motorcycle license, and while driving with only a permit, inexperienced bikers have many restrictions. These include: [1] they must be accompanied by a licensed motorcyclist [2] they must not drive the motorcycle during dawn and twilight, and [3] they must stay off any state toll road or limited-access highway.
Driving a Motorcycle Requires Special Skills that Driving a Car Does Not
While the stated restrictions may seem harsh, operating a motorcycle is a far more complex task than driving a car because you must be able to:
- Balance on one foot
- Keep the motorcycle balanced with your own weight during turns (much more difficult than on a bicycle)
- Brake to keep the bike from rolling backwards
- Shift gears
- Feather the throttle (touch it very lightly)
- Watch for traffic even more carefully than car drivers
- Release the clutch at appropriate times
Once you pass your test, you will obtain your probationary motorcycle license which will also have restrictions. After a year, you will be fully licensed by the state of New Jersey. If you already have an ordinary driver’s license, you can obtain a motorcycle endorsement on your existing driver’s license instead of a separate motorcycle license, if you wish. All motorcycles must be titled, registered and insured.
Injuries You May Have Suffered as an Inexperienced Motorcycle Driver
Even with the required headgear New Jersey requires and other protective garments you may choose to wear, if you are involved in a collision with a car, you will doubtless take the brunt of property and personal injury damage. Tragically, it is not unusual for motorcycle driver injuries to include:
- Multiple fractures
- Road rash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal injuries
The driver who hit you frequently simply did not see you on the road, especially if she or he was making a turn, traveling too quickly, or not paying full attention to the road. At Nagel Rice, LLP, our personal injury attorneys will listen carefully to the circumstances of your accident, investigate the police report and medical data thoroughly, and file a lawsuit to get you both the economic and non-economic damages you’re entitled to. If our outstanding negotiation and litigation skills don’t win your case, you owe us no attorneys’ fees. We only get paid if we win you damages
Economic damages include things like:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation or long-term nursing care
- Repair or replacement of your motorcycle
- Lost income during recovery or into the future if you have lost your earning ability.
Non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Permanent disability
- Loss of ability to enjoy life
If the other driver, or another entity responsible for the harm that has come to you, has behaved in an especially heinous manner, we may also be able to win you punitive damages.
Contact Our New Jersey Inexperienced Motorcycle Driver Accident Attorney Today
If you are an inexperienced motorcycle driver, we will dedicate ourselves to bringing you a fair verdict or settlement so that you can go on with your life. We are respectful of your rights as a motorcycle driver, inexperienced though you may be, to travel safely on New Jersey’s roadways and will work tirelessly to protect you. Contact our office today to schedule an initial consultation.
Nagel Rice LLP helps their clients with their inexperienced motorcycle accident claims throughout New Jersey including Bergen County, Essex County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Morris County, Passaic County, and Sussex County.