Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in New Jersey
Motorcycle crashes cause some of the most serious injuries on New Jersey roads. When a driver turns left across your path, changes lanes into you, or simply “didn’t see” you, the results are rarely minor. The Siddons Law Firm represents injured riders and the families of riders killed across New Jersey, and we understand both the law and the unfair bias motorcyclists face from insurers and juries. Call (610) 255-7500 for a free consultation.
New Jersey Motorcycle Accident Laws
New Jersey is a no-fault (PIP) state for automobiles, but that system does not apply to motorcycles. Because motorcyclists are not covered by no-fault Personal Injury Protection, they are also not subject to the “limitation on lawsuit” (verbal) threshold that restricts many car-accident claims — an injured rider generally has the right to pursue a full tort claim against the at-fault driver for all damages, including pain and suffering. The trade-off is that PIP will not automatically pay your medical bills, so the medical and disability coverage you carry on your own policy matters a great deal.
New Jersey follows modified comparative negligence: you can recover as long as you are not more than 50% at fault, and your award is reduced by your share of the blame (N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.1). The statute of limitations for most motorcycle-injury claims is two years from the date of the crash (N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2), and wrongful-death claims are also generally subject to a two-year deadline. New Jersey has a universal helmet law — every rider and passenger must wear a DOT-approved helmet (N.J.S.A. 39:3-76.7) — and eye protection is required as well.
Types of Motorcycle Accident Cases We Handle
We handle the full range of motorcycle crashes, including left-turn and intersection collisions, lane-change and blind-spot crashes, rear-end impacts, dooring, single-vehicle wrecks caused by road defects or debris, crashes involving impaired or distracted drivers, and hit-and-run cases where we pursue uninsured-motorist coverage. Typical injuries include traumatic brain injury, spinal-cord damage and paralysis, road rash requiring skin grafts, orthopedic fractures, amputations, and fatal injuries requiring a wrongful-death action.
Compensation Available in New Jersey Motorcycle Accident Cases
Because motorcyclists are not bound by the verbal threshold, injured riders can generally recover the full measure of damages: past and future medical expenses, lost wages and diminished earning capacity, the cost of rehabilitation and assistive equipment, property damage, and non-economic damages for pain, suffering, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. Where a crash was caused by a dangerous road condition, a claim may lie against a government entity — but the New Jersey Tort Claims Act requires a formal notice of claim within 90 days, so it is critical to act quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does New Jersey’s no-fault system apply to motorcycles?
No. New Jersey’s no-fault PIP system covers automobiles, not motorcycles. Because riders are outside the no-fault system, they are not subject to the lawsuit-limitation (verbal) threshold and can generally bring a full tort claim for all damages — but PIP will not automatically cover their medical bills, so their own health and med-pay coverage is important.
What is the statute of limitations for a motorcycle accident in New Jersey?
You generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal-injury lawsuit (N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2). Claims against a public entity require a notice of claim within 90 days. Because deadlines are strict and evidence fades, it is best to speak with a lawyer promptly.
Do I have to wear a helmet in New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey has a universal helmet law requiring every rider and passenger to wear a DOT-approved helmet, along with eye protection. Not wearing a helmet does not automatically bar a claim, but a defendant may argue it contributed to head injuries, which is one more reason experienced representation matters.
The driver says they never saw me. Can I still recover?
Yes. “I never saw the motorcycle” is not a defense — drivers have a duty to look for and yield to motorcycles. Failing to see a rider who was lawfully on the road is itself evidence of negligence, and we use crash reconstruction, sight-line analysis, and witness testimony to prove it.
Can I recover if a road defect or debris caused my crash?
Possibly. Poorly maintained roads, potholes, and debris can support a claim, sometimes against a government entity responsible for the roadway. These cases carry short notice deadlines (90 days under the Tort Claims Act), so contact us as soon as possible so evidence can be preserved.
Injured in a New Jersey motorcycle crash? Call the Siddons Law Firm at (610) 255-7500 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We serve riders throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland.