After a serious motorcycle crash, the questions come faster than the answers, and the bills usually arrive before either. If you were hit by a vehicle while riding through West Michigan, you need a dedicated lawyer by your side.
Our Grand Rapids motorcycle accident lawyers at Christensen Law have helped riders across Michigan stand up for what they deserve since 1991, so you do not have to face the road back alone.
Motorcycle crashes are different from car wrecks in almost every way that matters, from the severity of injuries to the way insurance coverage works under Michigan law. We listen first, then build a case designed to protect your rights and your future.
Call our Grand Rapids office at 616-512-0718 for a free consultation, and let us carry the legal weight while you focus on healing.
CHRISTENSEN LAW HAS A 24 HOUR RAPID RESPONSE SERVICE
Why Motorcycle Crashes in West Michigan Demand a Focused Approach
Riding in Grand Rapids comes with its own challenges. Between the heavy traffic on US-131 and I-196, the seasonal swing of riders heading toward Lake Michigan beach towns, and the bursts of activity around Van Andel Arena or ArtPrize, motorcyclists share the road with drivers who often are not paying attention.
Distracted drivers, left-turning cars, and people who simply “did not see” a motorcycle cause the bulk of serious crashes in our area.
Even a low-speed collision can leave a rider with catastrophic injuries, because there is no airbag, no crumple zone, and no steel frame between the body and the pavement. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, road rash that requires skin grafts, broken bones, and internal injuries are all common after a motorcycle wreck.
Our Grand Rapids motorcycle accident attorneys work closely with treating doctors and life-care planners, so every current and future expense is accounted for in your claim.
There is also a stubborn bias against riders that can creep into how an insurance adjuster, or even a jury, looks at your case. We know how to push back. We tell your story, present the evidence, and show that you had every right to be on the road that day.
How Can Christensen Law Support Injured Riders in Grand Rapids?
Our team has built a reputation across Michigan for taking on the toughest motorcycle accident cases and seeing them through to real results.
When you call us, you reach a firm where both founder David Christensen and Sarah Stempky-Kime are members of the elite American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and the firm carries a First-Tier ranking in Detroit in Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® for the 2026 Edition of “Best Law Firms.”
For riders in Kent County and the surrounding communities, that means access to a trial-tested team without leaving West Michigan. We have secured multi-million-dollar results for motorcycle accident clients, including a $9,500,000 recovery in a single motorcycle accident case.
Past results never guarantee future outcomes, but they do show what is possible when a firm refuses to settle for less than full value. We invest in accident reconstruction, medical experts, and economic analysis, so the at-fault driver and their insurance company cannot minimize what happened to you.
If you are searching for Grand Rapids motorcycle accident lawyers, you are likely also worried about how to pay for care, lost wages, and what comes next. We work on contingency, which means you pay nothing up front, and we only collect a fee if we win compensation for you.
Contact us today to talk through your situation with no pressure and no cost.
What Should I Do Right Away to Protect My Motorcycle Accident Claim?
The most important steps are to get medical care immediately, report the crash to police, and avoid giving a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurance company before talking to a lawyer.
Even if you feel mostly okay, injuries like internal bleeding or a concussion can show up hours or days later. A documented medical record from day one is one of the strongest pieces of evidence in your claim.
If you are physically able, try to gather contact information for witnesses, take photos of the scene, and keep your damaged helmet, gear, and bike until your attorney has inspected them. These items often tell a story the official report misses.
If you are unable to do any of this from a hospital bed, do not worry, because we can step in and preserve evidence on your behalf.
Michigan Motorcycle Laws Every Rider Should Understand
Michigan has a unique set of laws that shape every motorcycle accident claim in Grand Rapids. The state’s no-fault system treats motorcyclists differently from car drivers, and understanding that difference is often the key to recovering full benefits.
Here is a plain-English breakdown of the rules that matter most.
Michigan’s Helmet Law
Under MCL 257.658, riders age 21 and older may legally ride without a helmet if they have held a motorcycle endorsement for at least two years (or completed an approved safety course) and carry at least $20,000 in first-party medical benefits.
Riders and passengers under 21 must always wear a DOT-approved helmet. Riding without a helmet does not bar your claim, but it can affect certain damages, so we work hard to focus the case on the at-fault driver’s conduct, not your gear choices.
No-Fault Benefits for Motorcyclists
If a motor vehicle was involved in your motorcycle crash, you can claim Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits under MCL 500.3114. These benefits cover medical bills, wage loss, and replacement services.
The order of priority for which insurer pays starts with the owner of the involved motor vehicle, then the operator, and continues from there. This priority system is one of the most misunderstood parts of Michigan law, and getting it right can mean the difference between a denied claim and full coverage.
When You Can Sue the At-Fault Driver
Separate from no-fault benefits, you may also sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering and other non-economic damages if your injuries meet Michigan’s “threshold,” meaning death, serious impairment of body function, or permanent serious disfigurement.
Most catastrophic motorcycle injuries meet this standard, but the language matters, and the defense will fight to argue your injuries do not qualify. Our Grand Rapids motorcycle accident lawyers know how to document the impairment in a way that holds up at trial.
Strict Filing Deadlines
One more thing worth knowing: Michigan has a strict deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit, generally three years from the date of the crash under MCL 600.5805. Insurance benefit deadlines under the Michigan No-Fault Act can be much shorter, so the sooner you call, the more options you have.
Common Causes of Grand Rapids Motorcycle Accidents
We see patterns in West Michigan crashes year after year, and most come down to driver inattention rather than rider error. Knowing the common causes helps us investigate quickly and pin down liability before the trail goes cold.
- Left-turn collisions at busy intersections like 28th Street and Division, where drivers misjudge a motorcycle’s speed
- Distracted driving, including phone use, eating, and infotainment screens
- Lane-change crashes on US-131, I-96, and the M-6 South Beltline
- Drunk or impaired drivers, especially during summer evenings and event weekends downtown
- Dooring incidents in neighborhoods like Heritage Hill and East Hills, where parked cars open into the travel lane
- Defective roads, including potholes, uneven pavement, and poorly marked construction zones
After identifying the cause, we move fast to preserve dashcam footage, traffic camera video, and witness statements. Early action often decides whether key evidence still exists by the time your case reaches negotiation or trial.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Motorcycle Accident in Michigan?
You may be able to recover both no-fault PIP benefits and a separate claim for pain and suffering, lost earning capacity, and other damages caused by the at-fault driver. The total value depends on the severity of your injuries, the impact on your life, the strength of the evidence, and the available insurance coverage.
Every case is unique, so any honest answer about value has to come after a careful review of your specific situation.
No-fault benefits in Michigan can cover medical bills (including long-term rehabilitation), up to 85% of lost wages for three years, replacement services like household help, and mileage to and from medical appointments.
These benefits apply regardless of who caused the crash, as long as the proper insurance priority and procedural rules are followed. Missing a deadline or filing with the wrong insurer can delay or block these payments, which is why having a lawyer involved early matters so much.
A third-party liability claim, separate from no-fault, can compensate you for pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, and the emotional toll of your injuries.
For families who have lost a loved one, a wrongful death claim under MCL 600.2922 can recover damages for the family’s loss as well. We treat wrongful death cases with the care and sensitivity they deserve, because no settlement number ever fills the absence, but financial security can take one source of stress off the table.
Why Choose Christensen Law for Your Grand Rapids Motorcycle Case?
We built our practice around three principles: listen, protect, and win. From our Grand Rapids office, we serve riders across Kent County, Ottawa County, and the broader West Michigan region, and we treat every case as if it were going to trial, because that posture often produces the strongest settlements.
Here is what working with our Grand Rapids motorcycle accident lawyers looks like in practice:
- No fees unless we win. Consultations are free, and we advance all case costs.
- Direct attorney access. You will know who is handling your case, and you will hear from us regularly.
- Trial-ready representation. Insurance companies pay more when they know your firm will go the distance.
- Catastrophic injury experience. We handle traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burn injuries, and wrongful death claims with the depth they require.
- Statewide reach, local presence. Our Grand Rapids office means you do not have to travel to Detroit to get top-tier representation.
Picking the right lawyer after a serious crash is one of the most important decisions you will make, so we encourage you to ask hard questions before you sign with anyone. When you are ready to talk, we are ready to listen. Schedule your free consultation today.
Your Questions Answered by Our Grand Rapids Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Below are answers to some of the most common questions we hear from riders and families across West Michigan after a serious crash.
Yes, in most cases. Michigan’s helmet law allows certain riders age 21 and older to ride without a helmet, and not wearing one does not bar your claim. It can become an issue if you suffered a head injury, because the defense may argue a helmet would have reduced the harm, but a skilled attorney can address that argument with medical evidence.
You may still have options through uninsured motorist coverage, the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan for no-fault benefits, and in some cases by pursuing the driver’s personal assets. We investigate every available source of recovery, so an uninsured at-fault driver does not automatically mean you walk away empty-handed.
No, and we generally recommend you do not give one without speaking to a lawyer first. Adjusters are trained to ask questions in ways that can later be used to reduce or deny your claim, so it is fair, and smart, to politely decline until you have legal guidance.
Nothing up front. We handle motorcycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means our fee comes only from the compensation we recover for you. If we do not win, you do not owe attorney fees.
We are so sorry for your loss, and we handle these cases with great care. Michigan’s wrongful death statute allows certain family members to recover damages for loss of companionship, financial support, and other harms, and we can guide you through every step while giving you space to grieve.
Most motorcycle accident cases settle before trial, but not all do. We prepare every case as if it will go in front of a jury, and that readiness is often what pushes the insurance company to offer fair value. If trial is the right path for your case, we have the experience to take it there.
Talk to Our Grand Rapids Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today
You do not have to figure out what comes next on your own. Our team at Christensen Law has stood with injured riders and grieving families across Michigan for more than three decades, and we are ready to stand with you. We serve all of Michigan, from the D to the UP.
The call is free, the consultation is free, and there is no obligation to hire us.
Call our Grand Rapids office at 616-512-0718 or contact us online to get started. Let us listen to your story, protect your rights, and fight for the recovery you and your family deserve.
