Motorcycle Fatalities Rise Sharply In the Garden State

New Jersey’s roads just got a little more dangerous for motorcycle riders. Preliminary data from the Governors’ Highway Traffic Safety Association revealed a 12.5 percent increase in motorcycle fatalities for the year 2014. The news comes as a shock to industry experts who projected a decrease from last year. The report measured fatalities that occurred within the first nine months of the year. Between January and September of 2014, there were 54 fatal motorcycle accidents, compared with 48 the previous year. This is the first significant increase in motorcycle-related fatalities in New Jersey since 2011.
Sobering News for Bikers During Peak Riding Season
While the rate of fatal bike crashes seems to be down nationally, that doesn’t make New Jersey riders any safer when they travel the state’s highways. Every day, particularly during the warmer months, drivers and riders find themselves battling it out for road supremacy. The impact sustained by a motorcycle rider during an accident is generally a lot more severe than it is for an automobile driver in similar circumstances.
Minimizing Risk
While you can’t always prevent an accident, there are some things you can do to diminish impact. Be sure you’re wearing the appropriate riding clothing and gear, are mindful of New Jersey’s helmet laws and are using the road responsibly. New Jersey motorists, more than perhaps any other state, have to learn to share the road. With the highest population density in the union, space continues to be at a premium. At the end of the day, the price we must pay for enjoying the garden state’s roadways is to learn to be respectful and mindful of one another.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident due to the actions of another driver, you deserve maximum compensation for your time out of work and assistance with your medical bills. Talk to an experienced personal injury attorney immediately after seeing your doctor and assessing your damage.
The attorneys at Lombardi and Lombardi have been helping victims of motor vehicle accidents pursue maximum compensation for years. If you’ve been injured due to the carelessness of another motorist, call us today.