Questions Raised After Recent New Jersey Motorcycle Accidents

Recent motorcycle accidents in New Jersey have left families and communities with many unanswered questions. For many survivors and their loved ones, the pursuit of answers begins with a motorcycle accident lawsuit. Experienced lawyers may be able to help families seek closure, assisting with investigations and determining important truths. These truths might include the root cause of accidents, the type of negligence involved, and the identity of hit-and-run motorists. As many recent crashes highlight, the true nature of a collision is often unclear in the immediate aftermath. Often, it takes months to find answers to important questions. Families experiencing these hardships should contact experienced New Jersey motorcycle accident lawyers.

Off-Duty Police Detective Charged for His Role in Fatal Motorcycle Accident

In June of 2025, the family of a deceased motorcyclist finally received answers after a detective was charged with criminal endangerment. The family had been pursuing justice since the crash occurred all the way back in 2023. The Burlington County crash involved a 24-year-old motorcyclist fleeing from an off-duty police detective in an unmarked vehicle. The detective pursued the “suspect” for about three miles, and the two vehicles reached extremely high speeds before the motorcyclist collided with a car.

The impact occurred at 100 miles per hour, and it proved fatal. Prior to this deadly collision, the detective never activated his lights or sirens. Under New Jersey law, this gave the motorcyclist the legal right to flee without any criminal consequences. Fleeing from the police is only illegal when officers clearly identify themselves as members of the police force. One might argue that the motorcyclist had no way of knowing whether the pursuing detective was a police officer or a crazed criminal.

The vehicle that ultimately struck the motorcyclist was in the process of making a left turn, meaning the rider technically had the right of way despite his high speed. The driver of the left-turning vehicle was completely uninjured by the high-speed collision, which is often the case when motorcycles strike much larger vehicles.

A grand jury decided that the detective should be charged with fourth-degree “endangering another person.” The maximum penalty for this offense is 18 months in jail. Perhaps more importantly, this outcome clearly indicates that the off-duty police detective caused the accident. This could allow the family to file a wrongful death lawsuit in connection with the accident and pursue compensation from various sources.

Corrections Officer Accused of Causing Motorcycle Crash in 2024

In late May, NJ.com reported that a corrections officer had been charged with reckless manslaughter in connection with a fatal motorcycle crash in the summer of 2024. While the corrections officer was not actually on the road at the time of the accident, he left a trailer parked on a Salem County roadway. The victim ultimately struck this trailer and suffered fatal injuries. Local police had previously identified the trailer as a traffic hazard.

Although local authorities repeatedly asked the corrections officer to move his trailer, no action was taken. This refusal to comply led directly to the motorcyclist’s death, as the trailer was parked in the eastbound lane. As the motorcyclist approached at 10:00 PM, he noticed the illegally parked trailer too late, and he could not avoid the collision.

New Jersey Man Dies After Striking Traffic Sign

Another notable incident claimed the life of a New Jersey motorcyclist in late May of 2025. Local authorities reported that the 67-year-old struck a traffic sign before veering off the road, ultimately falling off his Harley-Davidson bike and onto the road. This led to what the coroner described as “blunt force injuries” that proved fatal. No other vehicles were involved, and the victim was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The victim was also attempting to navigate a left-hand turn when the crash occurred.

Can a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in New Jersey Help Me?

A motorcycle accident lawyer in New Jersey may be able to help you find the answers you are looking for. Perhaps you believe that the local police have not told you exactly what happened. Maybe you suspect that your loved one did not cause their own injuries, despite the nature of the initial crash report. Maybe the driver who caused the crash fled, leaving you with even more unanswered questions. Whatever the case may be, you can address these concerns with help from Lependorf & Silverstein, P.C. Book a consultation today to discuss your unique concerns in more detail.