If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, you may be dealing with painful injuries and overwhelming medical expenses. The unexpected costs of an accident can quickly pile up, especially if you’re too hurt to work. If someone else’s negligence caused the crash, you have the right to seek fair compensation for your losses.
The amount of compensation the other party could owe you will depend on several factors, including who was responsible for the accident, the types of insurance coverage available, and the extent of your injuries. The best way to pursue full payment for your damages is to work with a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer.
David Christensen has ridden motorcycles since he was a child. The attorneys of Christensen Law are strongly committed to protecting the rights of Michigan motorcyclists and helping our clients demand the maximum compensation they deserve. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you in a free, confidential consultation.
Should I settle with insurance or hire a lawyer?
Some people might be tempted to save money on legal fees by handling their claims on their own. However, motorcycle accident claims are rarely straightforward. Severe injuries, expensive medical bills, and societal biases against motorcyclists can make it challenging for crash victims to recover the compensation they are entitled to.
Unless you sustained only damage to your vehicle and no injuries, it’s almost always best to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer. An experienced attorney can help you evaluate the full extent of your losses, establish a solid foundation for your claim, and maximize your take-home compensation.
Unfortunately, the goal of any insurance company is to pay out as little as possible to protect its bottom line. A motorcycle accident lawyer, however, has every incentive to fight for you. At Christensen Law, our lawyers represent motorcycle accident victims on contingency, which means we won’t charge anything upfront. Our lawyers only get paid if we recover compensation for you. And since we get paid as a set percentage of your recovery, your goals will be entirely aligned with ours.
You should hire a motorcycle attorney that regularly takes cases to trial, and wins. Insurance companies knows the lawyers that simply settle cases and move on to the next case, and knows the lawyers that will try cases to a jury and likely will win. The trial attorneys always get better results for their clients. Christensen Law has tried more traffic crash cases than any law firm in Michigan.
How can liability affect my motorcycle accident claim?
Liability is a vital aspect of any Michigan motorcycle accident claim because Michigan’s no-fault laws do not apply to motorcycles in many instances. In a no-fault system, most drivers rely on their own no-fault insurance policies to cover costs associated with accident-related injuries and property damage, no matter who was at fault. Because motorcyclists are not required to have no-fault policies, they often must rely on their own medical benefits or the liability insurance policies of other drivers. To recover benefits from another driver’s insurance after a motorcycle accident, you must demonstrate that the driver was liable for the crash.
Should I accept my settlement offer or go to court?
When you’re too hurt to work, and your medical expenses are piling up, a settlement offer can seem like a light at the end of a tunnel. However, you should know that insurance companies count on you to be under financial strain. Because they know you likely need the money, they might offer a settlement that is significantly less than what your claim is worth. This is referred to as a “low-ball” offer. It’s designed to get you to accept a small amount and give up your rights to pursue more.
Once you accept a settlement, the decision is permanent. You can’t go back and renegotiate for more money later on, even if your medical condition worsens or new evidence of fault is discovered.
That’s why it’s so important to understand the long-term costs and effects of your injuries before you agree to a settlement offer. If the other party’s insurance company denies your claim or refuses to make a fair offer, your lawyer might advise filing a lawsuit and taking your case to court.
While a small percentage of injury cases see a courtroom, it might be necessary for your lawyer to present the case and try to win a jury verdict to get the fair compensation you’re owed. Be sure to choose an attorney who is willing to see your case through to the end. A skilled trial attorney from Christensen Law will prepare your case as if it will go to trial from day one and will be prepared to take it as far as necessary to recover what you rightfully deserve.
How is compensation calculated in a Michigan motorcycle accident claim?
If you have grounds for a Michigan motorcycle accident claim, you may be wondering how much your case could be worth. It’s impossible to say precisely how much compensation you could be owed right off the bat. But a knowledgeable attorney can help you calculate a rough estimate by evaluating factors such as:
- Your medical expenses ─ This includes past, present, and projected future costs of medical care for your crash-related injuries.
- Losses in income ─ If you were forced to miss work due to the accident, you could recover compensation for your lost wages.
- Future reduced earning capacity ─ If your injury will prevent you from returning to work or force you to take a lesser paying job going forward, you can be compensated for future income loss.
- Pain and suffering ─ With a successful claim, you could be entitled to compensation for the subjective costs of accident-related pain and suffering.
What are the average settlements for a motorcycle accident?
Because every case is different, there is no accurate “average” settlement amount for a motorcycle accident claim. A reasonable settlement for a motorcycle accident resulting in catastrophic injuries would look very different from an appropriate settlement for minor cuts or road rash.
At Christensen Law, our motorcycle accident attorneys will do the work to determine how much compensation you could be entitled to receive. After we evaluate your claim, we will negotiate aggressively for the maximum settlement possible. In the past, our relentless efforts have resulted in motorcycle accident settlements as high as $1.25 million.
How can a lawyer get me the compensation I deserve?
A Michigan motorcycle accident lawyer can help you defend your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve by:
- Conducting an independent investigation of the crash to uncover critical evidence and determine who was at fault
- Interviewing eyewitnesses who saw the crash occur
- Consulting with medical professionals and occupational specialists who can testify about your injuries and future ability to return to work
- Hiring accident reconstruction specialists to diagram the crash
- Communicating and negotiating with the insurance company and other attorneys on your behalf
- Managing necessary paperwork, documents, and deadlines
- Representing you in court, if the insurance company refuses to make a reasonable settlement offer
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Michigan
If you’re ready to speak with a lawyer about your accident, the Michigan motorcycle accident attorneys at Christensen Law are here to help. We know that your health and future are on the line, and we’ll stand up and fight for you.
Contact us by phone or online for a free consultation with one of our lawyers right away.
