Riders know the freedom of the open road, and they also know that a crash on two wheels can cause injuries that a car occupant might walk away from. If a driver's carelessness hurt you, a New Jersey motorcycle accident lawyer can help you hold that driver accountable and pursue the recovery you need. At Reinartz Law Firm, we stand up for injured riders across the state and take the fight to the insurance companies for you.
Motorcycle claims carry rules that surprise many riders, starting with how medical bills get paid. Our founder, Richard Reinartz, spent more than a decade as a trial lawyer at large national firms, so we know how insurers value these cases and how to push back. Call (201) 289-8614 for a free review, day or night.
Why Motorcycle Claims Are Harder Than Car Claims in New Jersey
Motorcycle claims are harder mainly because riders do not receive the automatic no-fault medical coverage that car occupants rely on. That single difference reshapes the whole case.
In New Jersey car and motorcycle accident claims, the insurance picture looks very different for each. A car occupant's own Personal Injury Protection usually pays the first medical bills, while a rider often does not have that safety net.
Insurers sometimes lean on old assumptions about riders, treating a motorcycle claim as if speed or risk must have caused the crash. Part of our job is to keep the focus where it belongs, on how the collision actually happened and who caused it.
Does New Jersey's No-Fault PIP Cover Motorcyclists?
No. New Jersey's no-fault PIP system does not extend to motorcycles, so riders cannot count on PIP to pay their medical bills after a crash. This is one of the most important facts for any injured rider to understand.
Because New Jersey's no-fault law leaves motorcycles out, an injured rider usually turns to personal health insurance first, then to a claim against the at-fault driver for the rest of the losses.
This makes the liability claim, meaning the case against the driver who caused the crash, especially important for riders. For many, it is the main path to covering serious medical costs, lost income, and the long work of recovery.
We build that claim with care from day one, because we know how much rides on it for you and your family.
What Injuries Do Motorcyclists Most Often Suffer?
Riders most often suffer road rash, fractures, spine injuries, and head trauma, because they lack the metal frame and airbags that protect car occupants. The same crash that dents a bumper can send a rider to the hospital.
The injuries we help riders recover from include:
- Road rash that can require cleaning, grafting, and long healing.
- Broken bones in the arms, legs, wrists, and collarbone.
- Traumatic brain injuries, even when a helmet was worn.
- Spinal injuries that can affect movement and sensation.
Because these injuries are often severe, medical costs add up quickly, and PIP will not be there to absorb them. That reality makes a well-built liability claim all the more important for riders.
New Jersey Helmet Law and How It Affects Your Claim
New Jersey requires every rider and passenger to wear a DOT-approved helmet, and whether you wore one can affect your claim. The rule is strict and applies statewide.
The state's helmet requirement under N.J.S.A. 39:3-76.7 covers all riders, regardless of age or experience. A proper helmet must fit securely and meet federal safety standards.
If you were not wearing a helmet, an insurer may argue your injuries were worse because of it. That argument does not erase the other driver's responsibility for causing the crash, and we push back hard on attempts to shift the blame onto an injured rider.
How Do You Prove the Other Driver Was at Fault?
Proving fault usually comes down to showing that the other driver failed to yield, misjudged your speed, or simply did not see you. Left-turn crashes and lane-change collisions are among the most common patterns we see.
Some of the most frequent causes of rider injuries include:
- A driver turning left across a rider's path at an intersection.
- A driver changing lanes without checking a blind spot.
- Failure to yield when a motorcycle has the right of way.
- Distracted or inattentive driving that misses a rider entirely.
New Jersey follows a comparative negligence rule under N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.1. You can recover as long as you were not more than 50 percent at fault, though your share reduces the amount you receive.
We use crash reconstruction, witness accounts, and physical evidence to show what really happened. That groundwork often makes the difference in a disputed rider case.
How Does a Motorcycle Accident Claim Work?
A rider's claim moves from investigation to medical treatment to a demand against the at-fault driver and, if needed, to a lawsuit. Because PIP does not apply, the case against the other driver carries extra weight from the very start.
We begin by preserving evidence and documenting the crash while you focus on healing. Once your treatment gives a clear picture, we present a demand that accounts for your medical costs, lost income, and lasting effects.
If the insurer refuses a fair figure, we are ready to file suit and press the case toward trial. Steady preparation is what tends to earn a serious offer for an injured rider.
What Happens to Your Bike After a Crash?
When another driver is at fault, that driver's insurer is generally responsible for repairing your motorcycle or paying its value if it cannot be fixed. The property claim runs on its own track, separate from your injury claim.
Our guide on when the insurance company totals your motorcycle in New Jersey explains how value is decided and what to watch for during that process. A low first offer is common, and it is not the final word.
We can help you handle the property side while your injury claim moves ahead, so you are not left fighting two battles alone.
Deadlines and the Compensation Riders Can Pursue
Most New Jersey motorcycle injury claims must be filed within two years, and the compensation available reflects the often serious injuries riders suffer. The two-year statute of limitations under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2 applies to most cases.
If a government vehicle or a road defect played a role, much shorter notice deadlines can apply, sometimes as short as 90 days. That is one more reason to talk with a lawyer early.
Compensation can cover medical care, lost income, and the long road of physical recovery. When injuries are catastrophic, a claim is about securing the resources and care a rider needs for the future, not about getting even.
Recovering Lost Income and Future Costs
Serious injuries do more than pile up medical bills. They can keep a rider out of work for weeks or months, and some injuries limit the ability to earn a living long into the future.
A full claim looks beyond today's expenses to the road ahead. That can include future medical care, ongoing therapy, and the wages a rider loses while recovering or if a return to the same job is not possible.
We work with your medical records to accurately estimate these costs, so a settlement reflects the real toll of the crash. Settling too early, before the future is clear, can leave those costs unpaid.
Passengers and Others Hurt in a Motorcycle Crash
A rider is not always the only person injured. Passengers on the back of the bike and people in other vehicles may also have claims when a driver causes a crash.
A passenger generally can pursue a claim against whichever driver was at fault, whether that is the motorcycle operator, another motorist, or both. Sorting out these overlapping claims takes care, so each injured person is treated fairly.
We look at the full circle of people affected by a crash and the coverage available to each. That way, no one who was hurt is left without a path to recovery.
Riding and Representation Across Hackensack and Bergen County
We represent injured riders from our Hackensack office and throughout Bergen County and New Jersey. Knowing the local roads and courts is part of serving riders well.
Our office sits at Court Plaza South on Main Street in Hackensack, near the Bergen County Justice Center and the busy stretches of Route 4 and Route 17 that riders travel every day. We understand the conditions that put riders at risk here.
As a motorcycle accident attorney serving Hackensack and Bergen County, we bring that local knowledge to your case. Wherever you ride in the state, the same team stays with you from the first call to the final resolution.
Why Injured Riders Trust Reinartz Law Firm
Riders want a lawyer who understands both the road and the courtroom. Here is what our clients tell us stands out:
- Trial experience. Richard Reinartz spent more than a decade trying cases at large national firms before founding our practice.
- A clear grasp of rider-specific rules, including the PIP exclusion, the helmet law, and comparative negligence.
- Real availability. Our intake line answers 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and consultations are free.
- Honest guidance. We explain your options in plain language and never pressure you into a decision.
Your recovery deserves a focused, experienced advocate. Reach Reinartz Law Firm at (201) 289-8614 to talk through your options today.
FAQs Answered by Our New Jersey Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Here are answers to questions injured riders ask us most often across New Jersey.
Is lane splitting legal in New Jersey?
New Jersey has no law that clearly permits lane splitting, and riding between lanes is generally treated as unsafe. If it played a role in your crash, an insurer may raise it, and we address that head-on with the facts.
Who pays my medical bills while my case is pending?
Because PIP does not cover riders, your own health insurance usually pays first while the case is open. We then pursue the at-fault driver for those costs, so keep your bills and records organized.
How long will my motorcycle accident case take?
It depends on the seriousness of your injuries and whether fault is disputed. Serious cases can take longer, and we generally wait until your treatment stabilizes before resolving a claim so nothing is left on the table.
What evidence helps a motorcycle accident claim?
Photographs of the scene and your bike, the police report, witness contact information, and your damaged gear all help. Preserve your helmet and clothing, because they can support your account of the crash.
Should I give a statement to the driver's insurance company?
It is wise to talk with us before giving the other driver's insurer any recorded statement. Early words can be taken out of context and used to reduce what you recover.
What does it cost to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer?
Your first consultation is free. During that meeting, we explain how fees work in your case, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to move forward.
Can I recover for future medical care and lost earnings?
Yes. A motorcycle claim can account for future treatment and the income you lose while recovering or if you cannot return to the same work. We build these future costs into the claim so they are not left behind.
Talk to a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in New Jersey
A serious motorcycle crash can leave you facing steep bills without the no-fault coverage other drivers rely on. You do not have to face that alone.
Call Reinartz Law Firm at (201) 289-8614 for a free consultation, available 24 hours a day. We will listen, explain your options, and fight for the recovery you need to move forward.
The Reinartz Law Firm - Hackensack Office
Court Plaza South - West Wing
21 Main St Suite 205,
Hackensack, NJ 07601
HEATHER F.
"Richard guided me in my suit and made me feel confident in my decisions during my entire case. He made recommendations that I otherwise, would not have known about."
