|
Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in New Jersey — Serving Ocean County & Monmouth County
When you were hurt on a motorcycle, the other driver's insurer was already building a case before you left the scene. Mennie Heizler puts a New Jersey motorcycle accident attorney — not a case manager — on your side from the first call.
|
Motorcycle Accident
Proven Advocates Trusted by Clients Across New Jersey
What Our Clients Say
Motorcycle Crashes in New Jersey Are More Dangerous — and More Legally Complex — Than Most Riders Realize
According to the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, motorcyclists are more than 28 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash and five times more likely to be injured. Between 2012 and 2016, nearly 12,000 motorcycle crashes occurred in New Jersey — and if you're involved in one, statistics show you have an 82% chance of sustaining injuries.
The injuries that result from these crashes — spinal damage, traumatic brain injury, road rash, fractured bones — frequently worsen in the days following a collision. Many riders don't know the full extent of their injuries when the insurance company first calls. That's exactly when insurers push for statements and early settlements.
Mennie Heizler represents motorcycle accident victims from our
Toms River office in
Ocean County and our
Ocean Township office in
Monmouth County. Both offices sit along the Route 9 and Garden State Parkway corridor — common riding routes for shore-area riders throughout Ocean and Monmouth counties. If you were hurt anywhere in New Jersey, we can help.
Injuries We See in New Jersey Motorcycle Accident Cases
Motorcycle crashes produce injury patterns that differ substantially from car accident claims. The absence of a protective frame means the full force of impact is absorbed by the rider's body. We handle cases involving:
Head and Facial Injuries
Even helmeted riders suffer concussions and TBI in serious crashes. Symptoms are not always immediate, which is why early medical documentation matters.
Broken and Fractured Bones
Impact forces in motorcycle collisions can cause herniated discs, fractures, and spinal cord damage that may result in long-term disability.
Road Rash / Internal Organ Damage
Broken legs, arms, wrists, and shoulders are among the most common motorcycle crash injuries and frequently require surgery and extended rehabilitation.
Spinal Cord & Neck Injuries
High-speed contact with pavement causes deep tissue injury that can lead to infection, scarring, and long-term nerve damage.
Leg and Foot Injuries
Blunt abdominal trauma from a crash can injure organs without visible external signs, making prompt medical evaluation critical.
Emotional Trauma & PTSD
The psychological impact of a serious crash is a compensable injury in New Jersey and should be documented as part of your claim.
Don't settle before you know the full cost of your injuries. Call Mennie Heizler before you speak with any insurer.
What New Jersey Motorcycle Law Means for Your Claim
Motorcycle accident cases in New Jersey involve insurance rules and liability standards that differ from standard car accident claims in important ways.
PIP Coverage Limitations for Motorcyclists
New Jersey's Personal Injury Protection (PIP) system — which pays initial medical costs after a crash regardless of fault — does not automatically apply to motorcyclists the same way it applies to passenger car occupants. Motorcycles are not required to carry PIP under New Jersey law, and whether you have PIP coverage depends entirely on your individual policy. Many injured riders discover their own policy provides less coverage than they assumed. An attorney can review your policy and identify every available source of compensation before you respond to an insurer.
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
UM/UIM coverage is among the most important protections a motorcyclist can carry in New Jersey. If the driver who caused your crash is uninsured or carries insufficient coverage, UM/UIM allows you to make a claim against your own policy for the difference. If your policy does not include adequate UM/UIM limits, your ability to recover may be limited regardless of how clear the other driver's fault is. We advise every motorcycle accident client to let us review their coverage before accepting any settlement.
Helmet Use and Comparative Fault
New Jersey requires motorcycle riders to wear helmets under state law. If you were not wearing a helmet at the time of your crash, the defense will likely argue that your injuries were worsened by that choice — and use it to assign you a share of fault under New Jersey's modified comparative negligence rule. This does not eliminate your right to recover, but it can reduce your compensation. An attorney can help you understand how helmet use will factor into your specific case.
Bias Against Motorcyclists — and How We Counter It
Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys routinely attempt to assign fault to motorcyclists based on speed, lane position, and assumed risk-taking — regardless of the actual facts. Being on a motorcycle does not make you responsible for a crash caused by another driver's inattention. New Jersey's comparative negligence standard means that even if you were partially at fault, you may still recover. We build our cases with accident reconstruction, medical documentation, and witness evidence to counter insurer bias directly.
How We Handle Your Motorcycle Accident Case
Free Consultation With Your Attorney
You speak directly with John Mennie or Gregory Heizler about what happened, what your coverage looks like, and what your options are under New Jersey law. No intake screening. No charge.
Investigation and Evidence Preservation
We gather the accident report, medical records, witness statements, photographs, and — where warranted — accident reconstruction analysis. Motorcycle crash evidence deteriorates quickly. The sooner we begin, the more complete the record.
Claim Development
We document your injuries, your losses, and the full projected cost of your recovery, then present a formal demand to the insurer. Our attorneys have tried motorcycle cases across Ocean County, Monmouth County, and throughout New Jersey — insurers negotiate differently when they know a firm will take a case to verdict.
Litigation, If Necessary
If the insurer refuses to offer fair value, we file suit and take your case to court. Settling quickly is not our goal. Getting you what your case is worth is.
Resolution
We pursue the outcome your case warrants and keep you informed at every stage. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
Start With a Consultation
We get to know your situation, explain what probate involves, and answer your questions.
File in Probate Court
We handle all court submissions, deadlines, and communication.
Navigate Administration
We help with every legal and logistical step from opening to closing the estate.
Why Motorcycle Accident Victims Across New Jersey Choose This Firm
Your attorney answers
John Mennie and Gregory Heizler handle client communication directly. You are not handed off to a case manager after your first call.
NJ motorcycle law is not the same as car accident law
PIP limitations, helmet-use arguments, and insurer bias against riders require an attorney who knows how these issues play out in New Jersey courts.
60+ years of combined courtroom experience
Our attorneys have tried cases across Ocean County, Monmouth County, and throughout New Jersey, including complex liability cases involving motorcycles and commercial vehicles.
Two offices along the Shore corridor
Our Toms River office and Ocean Township office serve riders throughout the Route 9 and Garden State Parkway corridor and across both counties.
No fee unless we recover
You pay nothing upfront and nothing at all unless we win your case.
|
Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Accident Cases in New Jersey
What should I do after a motorcycle accident in New Jersey?
Get medical attention immediately, even if you feel uninjured. Spinal injuries and TBI symptoms often appear hours or days after a crash. Document the scene if you are physically able, do not give a recorded statement to any insurer, and call Mennie Heizler before you speak with the other driver's insurance company.
Do I have a case if I already gave a statement to the insurance company?
Yes, in most situations. A recorded statement to an insurer is not the end of your claim — it is the beginning of the insurer's strategy to limit it. An attorney can assess what was said, how it may be used, and how to respond. Contact us as soon as possible.
What if I wasn't wearing a helmet at the time of the crash?
New Jersey law requires helmets, and insurers will use your failure to wear one to argue that your injuries were partially your own fault. However, comparative negligence does not eliminate your right to recover — it reduces your compensation by your assigned percentage of fault. The outcome depends on the specific facts of your case. Call us and let us evaluate it.
How much is a motorcycle accident settlement worth in New Jersey?
Settlement value depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical costs, projected future treatment needs, lost income, and how fault is allocated. Cases involving permanent injury, long-term disability, or significant lost earning capacity recover substantially more than cases involving minor injuries. Call us for an honest assessment based on your specific situation.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident claim in New Jersey?
In most cases, New Jersey's statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. Accidents involving government vehicles or road conditions may carry shorter notice deadlines. The sooner you contact an attorney, the more we can do to preserve evidence and protect your claim.
Does it matter which attorney I hire for a motorcycle accident in NJ?
Motorcycle accident cases in New Jersey involve insurance issues — PIP limitations, UM/UIM claims, helmet-use defenses — that are specific to riders. An attorney familiar with how these arguments play out in Ocean County and Monmouth County courts is better positioned to anticipate and counter them. Mennie Heizler has handled motorcycle and complex vehicle accident cases across New Jersey for over 60 combined years.
Ready to Talk?
Talk to a New Jersey Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
If you were hurt in a motorcycle crash in Ocean County, Monmouth County, or anywhere in New Jersey, call Mennie Heizler before you speak with any insurance company. The consultation is free, your attorney picks up, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
