Throughout New Jersey, July and August were filled with headlines about accidents where motorcycle riders and some passengers suffered serious or fatal injuries. A biker died after being ejected in a collision at the intersection of Route 206 and Oakwood Drive in Oakridge. On Route 120 in between MetLife Stadium and the American Dream shopping center, a motorcycle operator was killed and his passenger hospitalized following a crash. Another fatality occurred in Hopewell Township after Russell Ford’s bike was hit by an SUV making a left turn.
Though these cases are tragic, they are not necessarily surprising. There is a well-known spike in motorcycle accidents during warmer months. The period running from May through September brings more riders, more traffic to destinations and events, longer daylight and more construction zones—conditions that increase risk at intersections and merge points.
Overall, motorcycle accidents throughout the country have risen sharply over the past five years. In 2019, the last full year before the COVID-19 pandemic, slightly fewer than 5,000 people died in motorcycle accidents. This figure increased from there, possibly because more people bought bikes as a way to enjoy themselves during the lockdown. More than 5,500 fatalities occurred in the first pandemic year of 2020, and the total has risen in each fully recorded year since then. The 6,242 motorcycle deaths in 2023, represent an increase of over 26 percent in four years.
Data collected from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that 38 percent of deadly motorcycle crashes are linked to alcohol use, and a similar amount involve speeding. Higher population density is also a risk factor, without about two-thirds of motorcycle fatalities occurring in areas classified as urban. The fact that New Jersey has a higher population density than any other state means more crowded roads and enhanced risk for bikers.
Many collisions occur when a car or truck turns left across a rider’s path. This is what happened in the Hopewell accident. Drivers routinely misjudge motorcycle speed and distance, and the danger is magnified the person behind the wheel is distracted or impaired.
Seigel Law litigates personal injury and wrongful death claims arising out of New Jersey motorcycle accidents so that clients can receive the maximum compensation available given the facts of their case. We’ve obtained than $500 million for the people we represent and are ready to provide the same level of exceptional representation to you. Please call 201-444-4000 or contact us online for a free consultation with an accomplished attorney. Our office is in Ridgewood.