Motorcycle accidents can lead to serious injuries, extensive medical bills, and lost wages, leaving victims and their families facing significant hardships. If another party’s negligence caused a motorcycle accident in Hackensack that injured you or a loved one, you may qualify to obtain compensation for your damages. But you need a Hackensack motorcycle accident lawyer to help you navigate the claims process and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
At Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C., our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers are dedicated to protecting the rights of injured motorcycle riders. We understand the complexities of motorcycle accident claims and know how to stand up to insurance companies that try to minimize or deny payouts.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Our personal injury attorneys are ready to help you secure the compensation you deserve.
What Should I Do after a Motorcycle Accident?
Seeking immediate medical attention should usually be the top priority immediately following a motorcycle crash – especially if anyone has sustained catastrophic or potentially life-threatening injuries.
If rider(s) are not too severely injured and they have the capacity to stay at the scene for a bit, then it’s also advised that they take as many of the following steps as possible:
- Move out of the path of traffic, to a safe area, and call 911 (or a non-emergency number if the crash is minor). Don’t leave the scene until police arrive and give you the OK to leave.
- Swap driving and insurance information with the other involved motorists or parties.
- Take pictures of the damaged motorcycle(s), vehicle(s) and/or surrounding features. Try to also get photos of any visible injuries, the greater accident scene (as a whole), the road conditions, the weather conditions, crash debris, etc.
- Collect witnesses’ names and contact information.
- Report the crash, without admitting fault or liability, to your insurance provider.
- Contact Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. for a free case evaluation.
Taking these steps can be important to gathering evidence of liability and setting up a future motorcycle crash claim for success.
NOTE: If an injured rider is immediately rushed to an emergency room and cannot perform any of the above steps following the wreck, an attorney at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. can conduct additional investigations to gather any and all evidence essential to a future claim.
I wanted to make sure that you were aware of my extreme gratitude to Chris DiGirolamo, and his law firm, for the work done on my behalf.
As a 33 year licensed motorcyclist in the state of NJ, I have seen a lot of friends/family go through the process of a personal injury suit, and many times the outcome is less than favorable. Let’s face it, there is a lot of bias against bikers out there… So when it was my turn to experience the process first hand, I didn’t hold a lot of hope that I would recover any of what I lost.
Chris DiGirolamo not only got me enough of a settlement to recover what was lost, he got the max available, allowing me to have a little piece of mind for the future as well.
He was patient when I sent endless emails full of questions and kind and understanding with regard to my case. I will ALWAYS refer my friends to this firm, and use them again myself, if the situation ever arises…
Thank you again for all your hard work!
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help with My Motorcycle Accident Case?
Handling motorcycle accident cases without legal representation can be challenging. Insurance companies often try to reduce settlements or deny claims, making it crucial to have a Hackensack motorcycle accident attorney advocating for your rights.
Our NJ motorcycle accident attorneys can assist you by:
- Investigating the accident to determine liability and identify all responsible parties.
- Calculating your total damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
- Negotiating with insurance companies to ensure you receive fair compensation.
- Filing a lawsuit if a fair settlement cannot be reached.
We know the tactics insurance companies use to undervalue claims. You can count on us to work tirelessly to maximize your financial compensation.
Who Is At Fault for My Motorcycle Accident?
Your attorney can determine fault for your motorcycle wreck by reviewing the evidence. This includes (but is not limited to) the police report, witness statements, and accident photos. Such evidence can uncover which parties may be at fault for your crash:
- Other motorists, riders, or roadway travelers
- Motor carriers
- Manufacturers of motorcycle or auto equipment
- Cities, counties, or other parties who are responsible for building and maintaining safe roads, traffic signs and signals, etc.
An attorney at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. can analyze the evidence and facts of your wreck and help you determine all of the parties that are liable for it.
Am I Entitled to Compensation for My Motorcycle Wreck?
This depends on who is primarily at fault for the accident. In general, you may be eligible for financial recovery for your motorcycle crash IF a party other than yourself was primarily at fault for the wreck.
Effectively, this means that, for you to be entitled to compensation for a motorcycle accident (under New Jersey law2):
- Another party must have been at least 51 percent at fault for the crash.
- Even if you may have been partly to blame for the crash, you can still be eligible for compensation if your degree of fault is 50 percent or less.
When injured riders may have been partly at fault, any recoveries they are eligible to receive will be reduced in proportion to their degree of fault. So, for instance, if a rider is found to be 25 percent at fault, the resulting compensation would be reduced by 25%.
What Types of Compensation Can I Receive?
In a motorcycle accident claim, you may be entitled to various types of compensation, depending on the severity of your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Compensation in personal injury cases typically falls into the following categories:
Economic Damages (Tangible Losses)
These damages cover financial losses directly related to your motorcycle accident injury, including:
- Medical Expenses – Covers hospital bills, doctor visits, surgeries, prescription medications, rehabilitation, and future medical care.
- Lost Wages – Compensation for time missed from work due to your injuries.
- Loss of Earning Capacity – If your injuries prevent you from returning to work or limit your ability to earn as much as before.
- Property Damage – Covers repairs or replacement of your motorcycle and any other personal property damaged in the crash.
Non-Economic Damages (Intangible Losses)
These damages compensate for the emotional and physical toll the accident has caused, including:
- Pain and Suffering – Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident and injuries.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life – If your injuries prevent you from engaging in hobbies, sports, or other activities you once enjoyed.
- Emotional Distress – Covers the psychological impact of the accident, such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD.
Punitive Damages (In Cases of Gross Negligence or Intentional Harm)
In rare cases where the at-fault party’s actions were particularly reckless or intentional, the court may award punitive damages. These are designed to punish the responsible party and deter similar misconduct in the future.
Wrongful Death Compensation (For Families of Fatal Accident Victims)
If you lost a loved one in a Hackensack motorcycle accident, you may be eligible for wrongful death compensation, which may include:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of financial support and benefits
- Loss of companionship and emotional support
Insurance companies often try to reduce payouts by disputing liability or downplaying your serious injuries. An experienced Hackensack motorcycle accident attorney at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. will fight aggressively to secure the full compensation you need.
Verdicts and Settlements
$2,500,000 - Motor Vehicle Crash
To a middle-aged tax preparer injured when a New Jersey Transit Bus struck his car in the rear after exiting the Lincoln Tunnel requiring two back surgeries following diagnose of aggravation of pre-existing stenosis and a herniated disc leaving him permanently disabled from his career and in need of Life Care Plan.
$6,200,000 - Motor Vehicle Crash
To a commercial truck driver who was struck by another truck driver while pulled off on the side of the road, resulting in disabling brain injury.
$750,000 - Motor Vehicle Crash
To a self-employed bagel store owner who suffered an aggravation of low back injury requiring surgery, urinary incontinence and post traumatic stress disorder.
How Soon Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Wreck Claim?
New Jersey’s statute of limitations allows you two years from the date of a crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. The clock may also start ticking from the date you discover the accident-related injuries (or they result in death). Missing this two-year statute of limitations means you will likely lose your right to seek compensation.
Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. Can Help
If you or a loved one has been hurt in a motorcycle wreck, contact an experienced Hackensack motorcycle accident lawyer at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, P.C. by calling (201) 585-9111 or emailing us. We are ready to collaborate with you in the pursuit of justice and compensation.
Relentlessly devoted to helping accident victims, our attorneys have the courage, skills, and resources to effectively advocate your rights, level the playing field, and help you obtain the compensation you likely deserve.
Year after year, our accident and injury attorneys have been recognized as the best in our field for our record of success and superior legal service. Let us explain how we can make a difference in your claim, recovery, and future. We look forward to helping you recover from a motorcycle accident. We have Korean-speaking attorneys.
