Were you injured in a motorcycle accident in Michigan? Did the other driver flee the scene, leaving you to deal with severe injuries, damage to your bike, and other losses? If so, you might be wondering whether — and how — you can get compensation. You need advice from an experienced attorney, and you need it now.
At Christensen Law, our approach is to listen, protect, and win for our clients. Our Michigan motorcycle accident lawyers understand how stressful hit-and-run collisions can be. We have extensive experience helping motorcycle accident victims restore their wellbeing and financial future after a crash.
Call or contact us today for a free consultation.
What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Motorcycle Accident
If you’ve been involved in a hit-and-run accident, it is natural to feel confused about what the next steps should be. These crashes are handled differently from the average collision because the other driver ignored their legal duty to remain at the scene.
Keep the following steps in mind:
- Call 911. If you’ve been hurt, it’s essential to call emergency medical personnel to the crash scene. Calling 911 will also bring the police to the crash site so you can tell them what happened and they can produce an official report. Having written documentation of the accident is crucial in recovering compensation for your injuries.
- Don’t leave the scene. It’s tempting to chase after the vehicle that hit you, but if you leave the scene, it may be challenging to prove that a hit-and-run accident occurred later on.
- Get as much information as you can about the vehicle that hit you. If possible, write down the make, model, and color of the car, its license plate number, and if there was any visible damage to it. Also note which direction it went, and where it was last seen (e.g., an intersection of two roads, near a landmark, etc.). You can also give police a description of the driver if you recall any identifying details about them.
- Preserve any other evidence from the scene that you can find. Take pictures and videos of the area around the crash site, especially your injuries and the damage to your motorcycle. If anybody nearby witnessed the accident, get their contact information. Some people have dash cameras and may be able to supply video of the accident itself.
- See a doctor: If you aren’t treated at the scene or taken to a hospital by emergency responders, see a doctor as soon as you can. Follow their orders precisely, and hold on to all your medical records. This documentation will be critical to your case.
- Talk to a Michigan hit-and-run accident attorney. They can explain your legal options and help you get started with the claims process.
Common Injuries in Hit-and-Run Motorcycle Crashes
Motorcyclists are more exposed than drivers and passengers in enclosed vehicles like cars. Because motorcycles are smaller and lighter than most other vehicles on the road, riders are much more susceptible to injury, and often sustain some of the most severe injuries.
Some of the most common injuries in hit-and-run motorcycle accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Broken bones
- Leg, ankle, and foot injuries
- Deep cuts and bruising
- Road rash
- Head and facial injuries
- Internal injuries
- Spinal cord injuries, including partial paralysis (paraplegia) and total paralysis (quadriplegia)
What Compensation Can You Receive in a Hit-and-Run Motorcycle Accident?
While Michigan is a no-fault state, motorcycles are specifically excluded and are not considered vehicles according to state law. This exclusion means that riders are only entitled to no-fault benefits, if they were in an accident with another motor vehicle. The car and the motorcycle do not have to physically collide in order for the rider to qualify for benefits. However, bikers must be able to show a motor vehicle contributed to the accident in some way. Motorcyclists hurt in single-vehicle collisions (e.g., after striking a tree, road debris, or wildlife) would not be entitled to no-fault benefits because no other vehicle was involved in the accident.
If this is the case, then how are riders compensated if they’re injured in a hit-and-run crash? One option is if you purchased optional medical benefits when buying your motorcycle insurance policy. Insurers are required to offer optional medical benefits for motorcycle policies. These benefits are usually offered in $5,000 increments, with limits that vary from company to company. If you’re injured in an accident where no other coverage is available, you could be eligible to claim these benefits.
Under normal circumstances, injured motorcyclists could be eligible to receive Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits from the at-fault party’s insurance policy. After a hit-and-run in which the driver is not apprehended, there wouldn’t be any policy to file a claim against. When no other no-fault policy is available to motorcyclists, they could be eligible to claim up to $250,000 in PIP benefits from the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan (MACP). The MACP was established to assist those injured in accidents where no other insurance policy is available.
How Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Can Help After a Hit-and-Run
The motorcycle accident lawyers of Christensen Law represent riders injured in hit-and-run accidents across Michigan. We know you’ve experienced terrible trauma. Let us help you on the path to recovery.
Our legal team will investigate the crash and work with law enforcement to identify the at-fault driver. If we can locate them, it might be possible to recover fair compensation through an injury claim against their insurance or a personal injury lawsuit. If the driver cannot be located, we’ll work with you to seek compensation from your insurance, the MACP, or any other policy that might be available to you.
After a hit-and-run accident, don’t panic. You likely have options available to you, and Christensen Law is standing by to help. Get a free case review today. You can meet with one of our proven hit-and-run attorneys in person, remotely, or wherever is most comfortable for you.
With offices in Detroit, Southfield, Grand Rapids, and Ann Arbor, we work to make ourselves available to all Michiganders. Call or fill out our contact form to get started now.
