Because bicyclists lack the protection of steel, fiberglass, and airbags, their bodies absorb the entire impact in a crash. Even at relatively low speeds, the impact of a car can send a rider into the street, causing road rash, broken bones, concussions, and other severe physical harm, or even death.
If you suffered injuries in a bicycle accident, what you do next could change the way you live the rest of your life. Fortunately, an Ann Arbor bicycle accident lawyer with Christensen Law can help you navigate the process of seeking compensation for your medical expenses and other collision-related damages.
Pursuing financial justice for injury victims has been our firm’s focus for more than 30 years. Our Ann Arbor personal injury lawyers can protect your rights and your financial stability while relieving you of the burden of complex insurance claims or taking legal action. Call us today to learn more with a risk-free, no-cost consultation.
Our Attorneys Will Explore Your Options for Recovering Bicycle Accident Compensation
Christensen Law understands that a serious injury puts your health and financial future on the line. We also know that seeking compensation can be daunting, especially while dealing with a physical recovery or caring for a hurt family member.
Our team can take the pressure of pursuing awards off your shoulders by exploring every available avenue for securing financial compensation. We take a personal approach to every case, tailoring our representation to your individual needs. We will leave no stone unturned when fighting for the damages you deserve.
In Michigan, your options for recovering losses after an Ann Arbor bicycle accident may include the following.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Insurance
If you are in a bicycle accident with a motor vehicle, your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance protects you.
When you buy an auto insurance policy in Michigan, you purchase protection against any vehicle accident, whether you are the driver, passenger, pedestrian, or on your bicycle. Therefore, even though you were not in a car at the time of the crash, your own insurance policy will cover some of your damages, such as medical expenses and lost income.
If you do not have auto insurance (possibly because you do not own a car), you can still receive PIP coverage under Michigan law. The state’s No-Fault Act (Michigan Compiled Laws § 500.3114) allows bicyclists to collect benefits from the policy of a relative in their home. However, you need to be aware of any step-down clauses that may be in your family member’s policy and that may impact coverage. Read more about these types of clauses here.
Our Ann Arbor bicycle accident lawyers can prepare your PIP claim and help you fight for fair compensation from your insurer. We can also help you understand recent changes to Michigan’s no-fault system and how they may affect your case.
Michigan Assigned Claims Plan (MACP)
If you do not have access to PIP insurance, you can pursue compensation for your bicycle accident injuries through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan (MACP). According to the MACP website, the plan works by assigning your claim to an insurer participating in the program. That insurer will then review your claim and offer a settlement for damages.
We can assist with a MACP case the same as we would any insurance claim. Our lawyers will draft and file paperwork, track and adhere to deadlines, identify your damages, and negotiate for an appropriate payout.
Liability Insurance Claims or Personal Injury Lawsuits
Depending on your accident, you may also have a case for pursuing damages from the driver who hit you. A liability auto insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit can pick up where your Nno-Ffault benefits (or MACP claim) left off.
With thousands of cases won and millions of dollars collected, Christensen Law has a track record of achieving results for those harmed by others’ negligent, reckless, or wrongful actions. We can gather evidence and build a robust case proving another party is liable for your injuries and resulting losses.
We want to make the process of your lawsuit and compensation as easy and stress-free as possible for you and your family. To that end, we will do everything we can to recover fair compensation with an insurance settlement. However, we are not interested in a speedy resolution that does not satisfy your damages or leaves you paying out of pocket. Therefore, we prepare every case for trial and will take legal action when necessary.
Possible Bicycle Accident Damages
Our award-winning attorneys and attentive staff genuinely care about the outcome of your case. We want you to have the resources you need to pay for your medical care, household expenses, and more, and we do not want you to suffer economic hardship due to someone else’s mistakes. We will fight for every cent of bicycle accident compensation owed to you, which may include:
- Current medical bills and expected future treatment
- Lost income, including back pay, bonuses, and benefits
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Bicycle and personal property damages
- Physical pain
- Emotional and mental suffering
- Scarring, disfigurement, and disabling injuries
- Reduced quality of life
We Assist with Fatal Bicycle Accident Cases
If your loved one was fatally injured in a bicycle accident, our attorneys can help their personal representative (executor) seek damages they could have sought had they lived. Compensation recovered will benefit the deceased’s estate and qualifying survivors and may include:
- Medical bills
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of the deceased’s financial contributions, support, and services
- Loss of the deceased’s care, companionship, and society
- Your loved one’s conscious pain and suffering
During this difficult time, Christensen Law’s wrongful death lawyers can take the burden off your family while you grieve. We know that no amount of money can bring back your loved one, but we will work hard to give you a sense of justice by holding the responsible parties financially accountable.
How Long Do You Have to Pursue an Ann Arbor Bicycle Accident Case?
According to Michigan Compiled Laws § 500.3145, the statute of limitations for recovering PIP benefits is one year. Under Michigan Compiled Laws § 600.5805, you have three years to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against a liable party.
If you do not meet these deadlines, the court will likely refuse your case. Waiting too long can also hurt your insurance claims by reducing your bargaining power. We can help you get started as soon as you reach out. We charge nothing upfront or out-of-pocket for our services.
Speak with Our Cycling Accident Lawyer in Ann Arbor, MI
Reach out to Christensen Law for a free consultation and learn more about how our Ann Arbor bicycle accident lawyers can serve you. Call us today to get started. We will not charge you for your consultation and there are no upfront fees associated with hiring our firm. Do not wait to start seeking justice.
