New Jersey Bicycle Accident Lawyers
New Jersey Bicycle Accidents
Who doesn't enjoy bike riding?
In the everyday hustle bustle of our fast paced world, biking is a wonderful way to relax and spend quality time with family and friends.
Unfortunately, however, New Jersey bicycle accidents happen much too frequently. As a result it’s extremely important for bikers to understand their legal rights and to turn to an experienced New Jersey bicycle attorney in the event they are involved in any type of bike accident.
NEW JERSEY BIKE ACCIDENT INJURIES: SOME ALARMING FACTS
Injury Facts from the National Center for Health Statistics reports that of the 1,024 bicyclist deaths in 2018, 682 died in motor-vehicle crashes and 342 in other incidents. Additionally according to Injury Facts, The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports 424,350 emergency department-treated injuries associated with bicycles and bicycle accessories in 2018. This estimate includes both preventable and intentional injuries.
New Jersey is no exception!
The State of New Jersey, Division of Highway Traffic Safety, has determined that “each year, bicyclists are killed or injured in New Jersey due to bicycle crashes. Many bicycle deaths result from bicycle-motor vehicle collisions. However, injuries can happen anywhere, including parks, bike paths and driveways, and often do not involve motor vehicles.”
HOW CAN NEW JERSEY BICYCLISTS REDUCE THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY?
The National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA) recommends the following steps to prepare for your bike riding:
- Ride a bike that fits you—if it’s too big, it’s harder to control the bike.
- Ride a bike that works—it really doesn’t matter how well you ride if the brakes don’t work.
- Wear equipment to protect you and make you more visible to others, like a bike helmet, bright clothing (during the day), reflective gear, and a white front light and red rear light and reflectors on your bike (at night, or when visibility is poor).
- Ride one per seat, with both hands on the handlebars, unless signaling a turn.
- Carry all items in a backpack or strapped to the back of the bike.
- Tuck and tie your shoe laces and pant legs so they don’t get caught in your bike chain.
- Plan your route—if driving as a vehicle on the road, choose routes with less traffic and slower speeds. Your safest route may be away from traffic altogether, in a bike lane or on a bike path.
The State of New Jersey, Department of of Law and Public Safety offers:
- Bicycle Safety Hang Tags - with information in Spanish and English, these informative safety tips hang on bike handlebars and can help riders avoid negligent drivers.
- A three- panel brochure presenting facts and tips on safely riding a bicycle, produced by the NJ Division of Highway Traffic Safety.
- Bicycle Helmet Fact Sheet - with general information on New Jersey’s helmet law and guidance as to how to properly secure a helmet.
Serious injury cases are not just business for us – they’re personal. When we take on a new client, we adopt them as part of our family, and we fight for them in every way possible.
That has been our motivating force in capturing hundreds of millions of dollars for clients we have represented during the past 50-plus years. It is also the reason we aspire to be the best personal injury firm in the country.
Absolutely!
New Jersey law mandates that “young people under the age of 17 are required to wear an approved helmet when cycling, roller skating, in-line skating, or skateboarding”
The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (BHSI) offers the following summary for helmets in 2020:
Concussion awareness is forcing all manufacturers to offer some form of technology claimed to mitigate rotational force in 2020. New helmet liners are pushing beyond the thin layer MIPS slip-plane and providing a thicker inner layer that can deform directionally. Consumer Reports says your first consideration in buying a new helmet should be rotational impact energy performance. We think fit, coverage and a well-rounded smooth exterior are more important in the widest range of dangerous impacts.
Tragically bicycle accidents occur in many different ways. No two bike accidents are the same.
Bicycle drivers need to be prepared, take precautions and be aware of potential dangers.
The different types and causes of bike crashes include:
- Poor roads - unfortunately not all roads are safe. Potholes, litter on the road and other obstructions can cause havoc; they distract bike riders and car drivers with serious results.
- Dooring - how many times have we seen a car driver open a door without carefully looking? It only takes a split second for unsuspecting, traffic abiding, bicyclists, to pay the heavy price.
- Rear ending - when a driver tailgates another car, the results can be very unfortunate. When it happens to a bike rider, the outcome can be devastating.
- Pedestrian - even when bicyclists have the right of way, they need to be extremely careful when pedestrians violate basic traffic laws. Accidents happen when bike riders attempt to avoid these pedestrians.
- Bike Lanes - bike lanes are meant to protect bikers and provide them with a safe and enjoyable haven. Too often car drivers end up veering into bike lanes creating dangerous results.
- Negligent motorists
- Left hand turns - left hand turns might save time and get one to their destination quicker; but they need to be executed according to law, properly and cautiously. Dangerous ones cause too many accidents.
- Intoxicated drivers - drunk drives are a menace to society. They cause deaths and serious injuries. Bike riders are too often the victims.
The law provides seriously injured cyclists with the right to seek compensation from the negligent party. Injured bicyclists can turn to the experienced bicycling attorney team at the Rothenberg Law Firm LLP who can assist at every stage of the complicated legal process; from filing an insurance claim to settlement negotiations to litigation in court.
Please contact our office today to set up a free consultation with one of our bicycle accidents attorneys to determine your rights.
When a young child learning to ride a bike falls off her / his bike, scrapes a knee and cries, it tugs at our heart, But we know that it's all part of growing up. Even more so, a serious bicycle injury resulting from bicycle accidents has potentially life altering consequences.
Bicycle accident injuries can cause many injuries including, but not limited to:
- Brain Injuries - from mild concussions to head wounds to traumatic brain injury
- Facial lacerations and neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Breaks and fractures - hands, legs, jaws, teeth, jaws
Liability in Bicycle Accident Claims
Every bicycle accident is different. Most bike accident cases occur as a result of negligence on the part of the person who crashed into the bicyclist, but there are always many factors that come into play in any given situation. Therefore, bike accident attorneys can help you determine negligence and will work every step of the way to make sure you are able to recover the monetary compensation you deserve for your injuries. Your personal injury lawyer at the Rothenberg Law Firm will understand how the relevant bicycle laws impact your specific case.
Your legal remedies and personal injury claim as a bicycle accident victim are similar to those of someone injured in a car crash. First, anyone who is suffering from an injury after a bicycle accident should immediately call the police or 911 and tell them you need medical assistance. If you can, take pictures of the crash scene and the cars involved so that you can show a lawyer. Make sure everyone is safe and get all of the medical assistance you need. Then, seek the help of a bicycle accident attorney before you talk to an insurance adjuster or a private investigator hired by an insurance company. There are multiple challenges in the process of filing a bicycle accident claim, therefore, you should consult with an attorney who can fight for your rights.
Our bike accident attorney team at the Rothenberg Law Firm LLP will advocate on your behalf throughout the legal process. We’re aggressive in negotiating with an insurance company, and we’re equally prepared to take your case to court. Our goal is to recover monetary damages for such losses as, but not limited to:
- Past and future medical bills;
- Past and Future lost wages;
- Pain and suffering;
- Scarring and disfigurement;
- Diminished quality of life; and,
- All other amounts allowed by law.
Contact a Skilled New Jersey Bicycle Accident Lawyer to Discuss Your Legal Remedies
Every bicycle accident has its own fact pattern and injuries and there are many complex legal concepts and nuances that you may not be able to handle if you try to negotiate on your own. You can trust our attorneys at the Rothenberg Law Firm LLP to fight to make sure you get the compensation you deserve. To learn more about how we can assist with your bicycle accident claim, please call 1-800-624-8888 or go online to set up a free case evaluation.
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What Our Clients Say
“The Rothenberg Law Firm was very attentive when I made the initial contact with them regarding my personal injury claim. They were very clear in explaining to me the process including both the pros and cons of a case. Their lawyer’s mastery of this field of law is evident and they are backed by a firm that has many years of experience. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend their services to anyone in need of help for personal injury issues and beyond.”
"The Rothenberg Law Firm explained all aspect of the case and laws in NY and NJ so I was able to understand exactly what was needed and what can happen. I had complete confidence in them. Their lawyers are very smart, quick, and sympathetic to my loss."