Michigan Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Pursuing Compensation for Your Injuries
A motorcycle accident causing serious injury presents a number of legal challenges, one of which being that many people are biased against motorcyclists. Motorcycles are considered by countless Americans to be inherently dangerous and risky, which is why it’s common to assume motorcyclists played a major role in their own accidents and injuries. Our Michigan motorcycle accident attorney at Adler Firm, PLLC is on the side of motorcyclists when they’ve been harmed by other drivers. Despite what people think, many motorcycle accidents are in fact caused by drivers of other vehicles. With more than three decades of experience, we can help maximize the value of your claim for compensation through our application of skills and strategies that have proven successful in other similar cases.
Contact us online or by phone for a free, same-day consultation in English or Spanish at (888) 966-9524. Our legal team strives to always be accessible to address our clients’ questions and concerns.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
In Michigan, motorcyclists were involved in more than 2,600 accidents in 2018, and as a result, more than 2,300 were injured and 134 people were killed. This means that more than 90% of motorcycle accidents in Michigan resulted in injury or death in that year.
It’s no surprise that motorcycle accidents often result in serious injuries for the rider, as motorcyclists lack the outer protection car drivers and passengers have and only have a helmet protecting their heads. The size and weight of cars, including smaller cars, can deliver enough force to send a motorcyclist flying from their bikes, especially if speeding is involved.
Common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Motorcycle defects: Drivers aren’t always responsible for motorcycle accidents. Sometimes accidents are caused by a defective or faulty motorcycle part, like braking systems. In these cases, a motorcycle manufacturer can be held liable for damages.
- Lane splitting: This involves the act of motorcycles riding in between traffic lanes, which can be dangerous, especially when cars are frequently changing lanes and often fail to look before they do so. This can also be dangerous for inexperienced motorcyclists.
- Driving under the influence: Impaired driving contributes to countless auto accidents, including motorcycle accidents. Drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol are more likely to make risky decisions like speed or run red lights and stop signs. Drivers found guilty of driving under the influence can face both civil and criminal liability.
- Speeding: A common cause of all accidents, speeding reduces a driver’s reaction time to things like road hazards or stopped or slowed traffic. Speeding in bad weather or around corners can also cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle and plunge into other vehicles or motorcyclists.
- Unsafe lane changes: Drivers are supposed to check their blind spots and signal to let other drivers and riders know of their plans to change lanes, but they often fail to do this. This can be especially dangerous for motorcyclists, as they often are obscured in driver blind spots.
Does Michigan’s No-Fault Law Apply to Motorcycle Accidents?
In the state of Michigan, all vehicle owners are required to carry no-fault insurance, meaning that if they’re injured in an accident, their policy can provide them with lifetime coverage of all medical expenses and even 85% of lost wages for up to three years. No-fault insurance can also include property protection and liability insurance.
Unfortunately, Michigan’s no-fault law doesn’t automatically apply to motorcycles because they’re not considered motor vehicles. If, however, a passenger car was involved in the accident, a motorcyclist may be able to receive Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits from the policy that covers the driver.
Why Do I Need a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
There are countless reasons why it’s a good idea to hire a motorcycle accident attorney after you’ve been treated for your injuries. Because motorcycle accidents often result in more serious injuries, you may also be facing additional medical costs relating to hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, and more. You may also require treatment for injuries down the road if you’ve been permanently injured.
Our attorney has successfully recovered billions for our clients and can pursue the maximum amount of compensation you need. Additionally, Michigan has a statute of limitations of three years for personal injury claims, meaning that you have exactly three years from the date of injury to file a claim. Failing to meet this deadline means you will most certainly lose your right to receive compensation. Our legal team has been through the claims process countless times and can file your claim efficiently.
Get started on your injury claim today by calling our Michigan motorcycle accident attorney at (888) 966-9524. We’ve recovered billions for clients so they can heal from their injuries without worrying about going into debt.
