Skilled Detroit Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Advocating for You

Helping the Victims of Motorcycle Accidents Pursue Justice and Financial Compensation

Have you been injured in a motorcycle accident in Detroit, Michigan? Or have you lost a loved one in such an accident? Injured motorcycle riders and their representatives deserve financial compensation for medical expenses, property damage, and other expenses when a negligent driver or other third party causes an accident. However, many motorcycle accident victims find the legal process for filing a personal injury claim to be needlessly complicated, with many insurance adjusters attempting to place the blame for the crash on the shoulders of the motorcycle rider. That is why it is so important to retain professional legal representation from experienced motorcycle accident lawyers to represent your case.

Frequently, motorcycle accidents result in severe injuries, costly damages, and more. Without the skilled legal services of a Michigan motorcycle accident lawyer, it is possible that you may be responsible for these costly expenses instead of the liable parties. You have a higher likelihood of recovering personal injury damages and property damages with the help of a motorcycle accident attorney well-versed in Michigan law.

Our law firm has extensive experience representing clients in motorcycle injury cases across Detroit. We have represented injured clients and their families in a variety of motor vehicle accidents, including those who have suffered catastrophic injuries or are seeking to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of a deceased motorcyclist. We pride ourselves on providing compassionate legal services and personal injury cases with dedicated and personalized legal care for every client who comes through our doors.

We offer our legal representation on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you don’t pay us a dime in lawyer fees unless and until we win a settlement for your motorcycle accident claim. Additionally, our legal team offers free consultations to prospective new clients interested in retaining our legal counsel. To discuss your motorcycle accident case in more detail and to learn your options for taking legal action, please contact our personal injury lawyers to schedule your free initial consultation today.

What Are the Michigan Motorcycle Accident Statistics?

There are hundreds of motorcycle accidents in Detroit every year. Unfortunately, motorcycle accident fatalities are fairly common because of the lack of safety features that motorcycles have in comparison to other motor vehicles on the road. Additionally, there is a major concern about the visibility of motorcycles on the streets, which can lead to motorcycle crashes.

In the year 2021, research indicates that the death rate for Michigan motorcyclists was 21.6 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. This is compared to the overall mileage death rate of 1.1 per 100 million miles traveled for other motor vehicles. That same year, there were over 3,000 motorcycle accidents, resulting in 166 motorcyclist fatalities and over 2,500 motorcycle rider injuries.

In 2021, Michigan motorcyclists accounted for only 1.1% of all traffic accidents in the state. In most cases, police reports indicate that fatal accidents involved the Michigan motorcyclist ‘going straight ahead’ just prior to the motorcycle collision.

The decision to wear a helmet dramatically impacts the likelihood of surviving a motorcycle wreck.

What Are Michigan’s Motorcycle Laws?

Michigan law dictates several factors relevant to riding motorcycles in the state, including the age at which motorcyclists must be, helmet use, and the use of traffic lanes.

The law requires that individuals have a special motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s licenses in order to legally operate a motorcycle in the state of Michigan.

You also need motorcycle insurance. In Michigan, motorcyclists must carry liability coverage that covers themselves in cases of serious injuries or death. If you elect not to wear a helmet, you may also require additional medical insurance coverage.

In Michigan, motorcyclists over the age of 21 can operate their motorcycles without wearing safety helmets if they meet certain requirements, such as acquiring additional training and carrying additional motorcycle insurance. Motorcycle riders and passengers under age 21 must wear helmets at all times while operating their motorcycles.

It is against the law to split lanes in Michigan. Lane splitting is the practice of riding your motorcycle between two lanes of traffic.

In most cases, passengers are prohibited from riding motorcycles unless there are special accommodations designed for them, such as footrests or pegs.

A Michigan motorcyclist must not have any obstructions that would prevent them from keeping both hands on the handlebars at all times while the motorcycle is in motion.

What Should You Do After Motorcycle Crashes?

Whatever type of motorcycle accident you have endured, be it head-on collisions, left turn accidents, or something else entirely, there are certain steps that you must take to safeguard your personal injury claims so that you may recover compensation at a later date.

Following a motorcycle accident, it is essential that you get all necessary medical treatment for your potential injuries. Even if you believe that you are not badly hurt following the motorcycle crash, it is still important that you seek medical care from professionals. Some injuries may manifest later, and your medical records must be thorough.

While remaining as polite as possible, exchange information with the other driver involved in the motorcycle wreck. Get the other driver’s insurance company information, phone number, driver’s license number, license plate, and other contact information. Do not ever say you’re sorry for the accident or diminish the severity of your injuries, as these comments could be used against you by an insurance adjuster.

If there were any witnesses to the motorcycle collision, take down their names and contact information. If possible, record their eyewitness testimonies at the accident scene.

Take photos and videos of your motorcycle, the other passenger vehicles involved in the crash, the roadway, debris, and your personal injuries. These pieces of evidence can be useful to your motorcycle accident lawyer.

When police arrive at the scene of the accident, provide them with a comprehensive accident report. The accident report and police report will be valuable evidence for your motorcycle accident attorney.

As soon as you are able, contact your motorcycle insurance carrier. Then, contact a motorcycle accident lawyer to represent your legal rights both in and out of a court of law. Please consider our Detroit law office for your motorcycle accident claim.

How Can Our Detroit Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Help Your Case?

Several factors can determine how motorcycle claims play out, including the value of the evidence acquired, the severity of the injuries or the degree of negligence, the insurance coverage, lawyers for the at-fault parties, and more. The legal process can be overwhelming, especially if you are still contending with your injuries or the loss of a loved one in a wrongful death accident. Any small mistake could derail your motorcycle accident claim, meaning that you may not receive the property damages, pain and suffering damages, and other financial recovery you deserve.

A Detroit motorcycle accident lawyer can help lift the burden off your shoulders and handle all the complicated aspects of your case, including investigating the crash, negotiating with insurance companies, representing your case in court, and more.

Though you are not required to retain professional legal representation to represent your legal rights in a motorcycle accident case, it is nonetheless highly recommended that you do so. Those who retain professional legal counsel stand to recover more in terms of maximum compensation for themselves and any injured passenger.

Our experienced attorneys have dedicated years of their careers to representing the needs of injured clients in the state of Michigan. We would be proud to represent your interests in pursuing financial compensation for costly medical bills, property damage, and non-economic damages. To learn more about how we may assist you and yours during this difficult time, please contact our Detroit law firm to schedule your free case evaluation today.

How is Fault Determined in a Motorcycle Crash?

In every motorcycle accident case, it is important to determine who is at fault for causing the accident. Determining fault may include reviewing police reports, examining witness accounts, reviewing photographs and videos of the accident scene, and reviewing all other evidence relevant to the case.

Unfortunately, many insurance companies look for reasons to claim that motorcyclists are reckless or careless, thus implying that they were somehow at fault for causing the accident. Those seeking a fair settlement for their injuries and other losses are encouraged to retain professional legal representation from experienced motorcycle accident attorneys.

As your attorneys, we can help approximate your damages, explain your rights, and negotiate with the insurance companies throughout the legal proceedings. If necessary, we will also represent your interests in a trial setting should the insurance company or the at-fault party refuse to take accountability and provide the compensation that is demanded of them.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Detroit, MI?

Like any car accident, a motorcycle crash can occur out of nowhere and be caused by any number of factors. In most motorcycle accident cases, crashes are rarely caused by motorcyclists. Usually, larger passenger vehicles are responsible for causing the accident and striking the motorcyclist.

Common motorcycle accident causes include the following:

Adverse weather conditions
Car doors opening
Distracted driving
Driver fatigue
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Failing to check blind spots
Failure to see the motorcyclist
Inexperienced drivers
Lane splitting
Left turn accidents
Motor vehicle defects
Poor road conditions
Poor vehicle maintenance
Road rage, reckless driving, and aggressive driving
Speeding
Sudden stops
Tailgating or following too closely
Texting while driving or talking on a cell phone while driving
Unsafe lane changes
And more

Whatever the cause of your motorcycle accident, it is important that you speak with experienced personal injury lawyers about your case without delay. After reviewing the facts of your case, you and your attorneys may begin building a convincing motorcycle accident claim in hopes of recovering fair compensation for your injuries and other losses.

What Are Common Injuries Associated with Motorcycle Accident Cases?

Motorcycles offer their riders and passengers relatively little protection from the surrounding elements in instances of collisions with moving vehicles or stationary structures. As a result, many motorcycle riders suffer severe injuries in accidents. To help prevent serious injuries, many bikers wear helmets and other protective gear, but this only does so much for the rider.

Common motorcycle accident injuries in Michigan include the following:

Back and neck injuries
Broken bones, particularly broken limbs or broken hips
Deep cuts and bruising
Dental injuries
Facial disfigurement
Internal bleeding and organ damage
Loss of limbs
Loss of vision or hearing
Nerve damage
Permanent scarring
Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression
Road rash
Spinal cord injuries
Traumatic brain injuries
Whiplash

Any of the previously mentioned injuries could result in costly medical bills, surgeries, physical rehabilitation, and more. In some cases, motorcycle accident victims do not survive their injuries, which could result in a wrongful death case. Up until you have reached maximum medical improvement following your motorcycle accident, you are still recovering from the ordeal. Our motorcycle accident attorneys will help you seek the compensation you deserve following the crash and subsequent injuries.

Can You Recover Compensation for Your Motorcycle Accident Injuries?

After a traumatic motorcycle accident, you may need financial assistance to help recuperate from the experience. It could be possible to pursue both economic and non-economic damages from insurance companies and at-fault parties by filing the appropriate motorcycle accident claims.

Economic damages may include the following:

Lost wages
Lost income earning capacity
Past medical bills
Medical expenses related to future healthcare
Funeral and burial costs in the event of a fatal accident
Property damage, such as repairs or replacements to your motorcycle

Non-economic damages may include the following:

Physical pain and suffering
Mental anguish and emotional distress
Disability, dismemberment, or disfigurement
Loss of companionship, care, guardianship, comfort, or consortium
Lost quality of life
Wrongful death

What if You Lose a Loved One in a Fatal Motorcycle Accident in Detroit, Michigan?

If you lose a loved one to fatal injuries or they are left incapacitated and unable to speak for themselves, it is possible to file a motorcycle accident claim on their behalf. In the state of Michigan, interested parties must petition the probate court for such appointments. Any settlement must be approved by the courts.

If your loved one was killed in a motorcycle crash, you could file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault parties. If there was a will left behind by the decedent, that will should name the personal representative responsible for handling the estate. If no will exists, the court will appoint a personal representative to pursue the wrongful death claim on behalf of any surviving spouse, children, parent, grandparents, or siblings.

We understand that if you’ve lost a loved one in a motorcycle wreck, you are likely still in a state of grief and mourning. It is too much to ask for you to handle the legal process of submitting a wrongful death claim on your own. But help is available. We lend skilled legal representation with respect and compassion to every client in need of our services. To learn more about how we may assist you in filing a wrongful death claim, please contact our law firm to schedule your free, no-obligation case evaluation today.

Should You Accept the Initial Settlement Offer Made by the Insurance Company?

In many cases, insurance companies will offer a Lowball settlement in an attempt to make the motorcycle accident case go away quickly. It’s important to remember that you are not required to accept the initial offer. You are allowed to negotiate for better terms with the help of your personal injury attorney.

With skilled legal representation in your corner, you can maximize your settlement amount and recover the compensation you require to make yourself whole again.

Please contact our legal team to discuss your motorcycle accident claim, your insurance no-fault benefits, and more.

Schedule a Free Consultation with an Experienced Detroit Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

If you or a family member have been injured in a motorcycle accident that was not your fault, you should not be responsible for costly medical expenses or legal fees. Our Detroit law firm has years of experience helping injured clients and their families pursue justice and full compensation for their personal injury cases. We understand that motorcycle riders often are treated with disdain or a lack of respect by insurance companies and others, and we want to ensure that they get the proper, respectful treatment they require.

As your motorcycle accident lawyers, we will examine all evidence relevant to your case, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent your interests in a court of law if necessary. We will help lift the burden off your shoulders as you recover from your injuries and other losses while we navigate the legal system for personal injury law.

To learn more about how we may assist you during this traumatic experience, please contact our Detroit law firm to schedule your free case review today. You can reach us at 248-671-6794.