1. Corradino & Papa, LLC
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, construction accidents, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, workers’ compensation, premises liability, product liability
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, motorcycle vs. car accidents, motorcycle vs. truck accidents, dooring injuries, lane splitting incidents, fatal motorcycle accidents, head-on collisions, left-turn accidents, rear-end collisions, highway accidents, uninsured motorist claims, underinsured motorist claims, wrongful death claims, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Free case evaluation, negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, evidence gathering, witness interviews, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, litigation, trial representation, PIP arbitration, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims, property damage claims, 24/7 availability, home and hospital visits
Background: New Jersey personal injury firm with over 130 years of combined experience among its attorneys. The firm reports recovering over $500 million for clients. Four attorneys hold certification from the Supreme Court of New Jersey as Certified Civil Trial Attorneys, a distinction earned by fewer than 3% of lawyers in the state. Attorneys include Jack Vincent Corradino, Robert C. Papa Jr., Francis J. Sweeney III, Joseph A. DeFuria, Angelo S. Catanzariti, Michael R. Sucic, Nicholas P. Schroter, Timothy J. Fonseca, Francis M. Parisi, and Jacek Zapotoczny. The firm is an official partner of the New Jersey Devils.
Location: Clifton, NJ (serves Newark and surrounding areas)
Contact: (973) 381-1706 | https://corradinoandpapa.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation offered. 24/7 availability. Home and hospital visits available. Multilingual assistance. Contingency fee basis (no fee unless recovery is obtained).
2. Jacoby & Meyers, LLP
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, motorcycle vs. car accidents, dooring accidents, lane change accidents, intersection crashes, fatal motorcycle accidents, traumatic brain injury cases, spinal cord injuries, wrongful death claims
Legal Services: Free case evaluation, negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, litigation, trial representation, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims
Background: Personal injury law firm with over four decades of experience representing motorcycle accident victims and other injury victims. The firm reports recovering millions of dollars in damages for clients injured in motorcycle crashes. Recent case results include a $536,000 settlement for a motorcyclist injured in a dooring accident. The firm maintains offices in Edison and Newark to serve clients throughout New Jersey.
Location: Newark, NJ and Edison, NJ offices
Contact: (877) 505-2368 | https://www.jmlawyer.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation offered. Contingency fee basis.
3. Stark & Stark PC
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, product liability, medical malpractice
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, motorcycle vs. car accidents, motorcycle vs. truck accidents, fatal motorcycle accidents, catastrophic injury cases, traumatic brain injury cases, spinal cord injuries, wrongful death claims
Legal Services: Free consultation, negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, expert witness coordination, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, litigation, trial representation, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: New Jersey personal injury firm with decades of combined experience helping motorcycle accident victims. Several attorneys hold certification from the Supreme Court of New Jersey as Certified Civil Trial Attorneys. The firm serves clients throughout New Jersey including Newark, Jersey City, Cape May, and Sussex County areas.
Location: New Jersey (serves Newark and statewide)
Contact: Contact via website | https://www.stark-stark.com
Consultation: Free consultation offered. No upfront fees. Contingency fee basis.
4. Doroshow, Pasquale, Krawitz & Bhaya
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, workers’ compensation
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, motorcycle vs. car accidents, nighttime motorcycle accidents, intersection crashes, single-vehicle motorcycle accidents, road hazard accidents, product defect motorcycle accidents, fatal motorcycle accidents, wrongful death claims
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, liability determination, accident reconstruction, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, litigation, trial representation, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims
Background: Personal injury law firm serving Newark and surrounding areas in New Jersey. The attorneys handle motorcycle accident cases and understand the unique challenges motorcyclists face, including visibility issues and insurance company biases. The firm represents clients in cases involving negligent drivers, poor road conditions, and defective motorcycle parts.
Location: Serves Newark, NJ area
Contact: Contact via website | https://www.dplaw.com
Consultation: Contact firm for consultation information.
5. Schreck Personal Injury Law Firm
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, motorcycle vs. car accidents, motorcycle vs. truck accidents, fatal motorcycle accidents, traumatic brain injury cases, spinal cord injuries, back injuries, wrongful death claims
Legal Services: Free consultation, negligence investigation, insurance claim negotiation, settlement negotiations, litigation, trial representation, medical record review, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering claims
Background: Newark personal injury law firm handling motorcycle accident cases. The firm reports case results including a $575,000 settlement for an automobile accident victim who required lumbar fusion surgery. The attorneys provide personal attention to every matter, including meeting with clients and thoroughly reviewing medical records.
Location: Newark, NJ
Contact: (973) 622-5531 | https://www.schreckpersonalinjurylawyer.com
Consultation: Free consultation offered.
Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in New Jersey
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: New Jersey has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from motorcycle accidents under N.J.S.A. § 2A:14-2. Claims must be filed within two years from the date of the accident.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the date of death under New Jersey law.
No-Fault Insurance and Motorcycles: New Jersey is a no-fault insurance state for automobiles, but motorcycles are specifically excluded from the no-fault system. Motorcyclists cannot use their own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage for medical bills following an accident. Instead, injured motorcyclists must pursue claims directly against the at-fault driver to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Modified Comparative Negligence Rule: New Jersey follows the modified comparative negligence rule with a 51% bar under N.J.S.A. § 2A:15-5.1. An injured motorcyclist can recover damages only if their share of fault does not exceed 50%. If the motorcyclist is 51% or more at fault for the accident, they are barred from recovering any damages. If the motorcyclist is 50% or less at fault, their compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault.
Universal Helmet Law: New Jersey has a universal helmet law requiring all motorcycle operators and passengers to wear DOT-approved helmets that are securely fitted with a chin or neck strap and are reflectorized on both sides. Under N.J. Rev. Stat. § 39:3-76.7, no person shall operate or ride upon a motorcycle unless wearing a properly fitted protective helmet.
Eye Protection Requirements: New Jersey requires motorcycle operators to wear eye protection such as goggles or a face shield, unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen.
Motorcycle Insurance Requirements: New Jersey requires all motorcycle owners to carry liability insurance with minimum coverage of $15,000 per person/$30,000 per accident for bodily injury and $5,000 for property damage (15/30/5). Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is strongly recommended but not mandatory.
Motorcycle Licensing Requirements: To operate a motorcycle in New Jersey, you must have a valid NJ motorcycle license or an “M” endorsement on your driver’s license or commercial driver’s license. Riders must be at least 17 years old and pass vision and written tests.
Lane Splitting/Lane Filtering Laws: New Jersey does not have a specific statute that explicitly permits or prohibits lane splitting. However, lane splitting is generally considered unsafe and is not encouraged. Riders who lane split may be found partially at fault in the event of an accident.
Motorcycle Equipment Requirements: New Jersey mandates specific equipment on motorcycles including working headlights (must be used at all times), at least one mirror, working brakes, and proper seats and footrests for passengers. Handgrips must be positioned below the rider’s shoulder height.
Passenger Requirements: Passengers must have a proper seat and footrests, and must wear a DOT-approved helmet and eye protection. The motorcycle must be designed to carry more than one person.
Verbal Threshold: In New Jersey, motorcyclists may be subject to the “verbal threshold” if they chose that option on their auto insurance policy. This requires the motorcyclist to show evidence of serious and permanent injuries before they can recover damages for pain and suffering.
Helmet Use and Comparative Negligence: While not wearing a helmet is a traffic violation, failure to wear a helmet may be used by insurance companies to argue comparative negligence if head injuries were sustained, potentially reducing compensation.
Damage Caps: New Jersey does not have statutory caps on compensatory damages in personal injury cases. Punitive damages may be awarded in cases involving egregious conduct but are subject to certain limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the statute of limitations for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, you have two years from the date of the motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under N.J.S.A. § 2A:14-2. This two-year deadline applies to both personal injury claims and wrongful death claims. Missing this deadline typically results in losing the right to pursue compensation through the courts. Given the complexity of motorcycle accident cases and the time needed to gather evidence and build a case, it is advisable to consult with an attorney as soon as possible after an accident.
How does New Jersey’s comparative negligence rule affect my motorcycle accident claim?
New Jersey follows the modified comparative negligence rule with a 51% bar. This means you can recover compensation as long as you are 50% or less at fault for the accident. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 30% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would receive $70,000. If you are found 51% or more at fault, you are completely barred from recovering any compensation. Insurance companies often try to assign fault to motorcyclists through allegations of speeding, improper lane changes, or failure to wear proper safety equipment. An experienced attorney can help establish that the other party was primarily at fault.
Can I recover compensation if I was not wearing a helmet at the time of my motorcycle accident?
Yes, you may still be able to recover compensation even if you were not wearing a helmet, but it may affect the amount you receive. While failure to wear a helmet is a traffic violation in New Jersey, it does not automatically bar you from recovering damages. However, under the comparative negligence rule, insurance companies and defendants may argue that your failure to wear a helmet contributed to your injuries, particularly if you suffered head trauma. This could result in a reduction of your compensation based on your assigned percentage of fault. If your injuries were to areas other than your head, the lack of helmet may have little impact on your claim.
Why are motorcyclists excluded from New Jersey’s no-fault insurance system?
Unlike automobile drivers, motorcyclists in New Jersey cannot use their own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage to pay for medical bills and lost wages after an accident, regardless of fault. Instead, injured motorcyclists must pursue claims directly against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance. This makes establishing the other driver’s negligence critical to recovering compensation. Because motorcyclists are excluded from the no-fault system, carrying adequate uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage on your motorcycle policy is strongly recommended to protect yourself if hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver.
What compensation can I recover after a motorcycle accident in Newark?
If another party was at fault for your motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses (emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and future medical care), lost wages and lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, property damage to your motorcycle, out-of-pocket expenses related to your injuries, and loss of quality of life. In wrongful death cases, surviving family members may recover funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship. The specific amount depends on the severity of your injuries, the extent of the other party’s negligence, and the insurance coverage available.