Has anyone ever asked you, “Why do you ride a motorcycle? Isn’t it dangerous?” Do you feel judged for riding, or as if it is your fault that you were in an accident?
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, don’t let anyone make you feel guilty for enjoying an activity you love or question your knowledge of the road.
You aren’t responsible for an accident caused by someone else’s careless behavior. Filing a claim against the at-fault party is your right. A Michigan motorcycle accident attorney from Christensen Law can help you file a claim to get reimbursed for your damages after an accident.
Our Michigan personal injury lawyers specialize in motorcycle accident claims. We are passionate about protecting the rights of injured bikers and their loved ones, because we also ride motorcycles. You have the right to enjoy riding free from the harm that can be caused by negligent drivers and other parties.
We’re riders; we know the challenges of the roads and of the law. We’re Michigan biker advocates; we have your back. At Christensen Law, we take care of our own.
Let us fight for you if you were injured and you need compensation to move on with your life. Reach out to us to learn more about how we can help.
Come Ride With Us to Support PTSD Awareness
We’re honored to be supporting the biker and veteran communities through our sponsorship and assistance with the 1st Annual Hell to Paradise PTSD Awareness Ride. The organizing team is working hard to bring you an amazing first-of-its-kind adventure supporting many worthy charities. For more information or to register, visit the ride page.
If you’d like to be a vendor at the event, please contact our Biker Advocate, Shel, at smaitland@davidchristensenlaw.com
We hope to see you there!
Motorcycle Events This Season
Be sure to check our Facebook page, Bikers Helping Injured Bikers, for updates. Find your local events here:
What You Need to Know About Michigan Motorcycle Accident Claims
- How Much You Can Get After a Motorcycle Accident in Michigan
- Who May Be Liable for Your Motorcycle Accident in Michigan
- Financial Compensation for Your Michigan Motorcycle Accident
- Getting Compensation in a Michigan Motorcycle Accident Wrongful Death Claim
- Questions Your Michigan Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Will Ask in Your Case
- How Can a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Michigan Help You?
- Our Michigan Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Change Lives
- Michigan Motorcycle Accident Claim FAQs
- Reach Out to a Michigan Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
How Much You Can Get After a Motorcycle Accident in Michigan
When you’re racking up medical costs, out of work, and wondering about your future, it’s not surprising if one of the first things you want to know after a motorcycle accident is how much money you can expect to get if you file a claim.
The answer to this question is that the amount of your motorcycle accident settlement or court award will depend on a variety of factors, which will be unique to each case. No online settlement calculator can give you an accurate estimate. The only way to get a true estimate of the value of your settlement is to get a consultation with an experienced Michigan motorcycle accident attorney.
Christensen Law has extensive experience obtaining successful outcomes in motorcycle accident cases in Michigan.
- In one case, we were able to settle a claim for $1,250,000 after a 36-year-old husband, father, and welder from Midland County was forced off the road, leaving him with serious accidents that required multiple surgeries. (Lehner v. Rohde Brothers Excavating, Inc.)
- A more recent plaintiff received an award of $9,500,000 in compensation for their life-altering injuries.
We have a long history of successful verdicts and settlements in favor of our clients who ride; we enter into every case with a trial-bound mentality, making sure we prepare as diligently as possible to ensure maximum compensation is secured.
Who May Be Liable for Your Motorcycle Accident in Michigan
Who caused your motorcycle accident in Michigan? Chances are high that a distracted or impaired driver was at fault. If you didn’t cause the wreck that resulted in your expenses, you shouldn’t be stuck footing the bill.
It’s critical to determine the exact cause of your motorcycle accident so you can prove fault. Proving fault for your accident is one of the most important steps in the motorcycle accident claim process.
Let’s send a message that drivers need to look out for motorcycles and value riders’ safety. Our motorcycle accident attorneys in Michigan can help investigate your accident and collect the evidence you will need to prove your case. If your accident was the result of someone else’s negligence, your attorney will work to ensure fault is determined and justice is served.
Some common causes of motorcycle accidents in Michigan that could prove the other party’s liability include:
- Drunk Driving – Intoxicated driving continues to be a problem. If a drunk driver caused your motorcycle accident, that person could be held responsible in criminal and civil court.
- Dangerous Roads – Sometimes the roads you drive on could be dangerous. Poor road design or maintenance can cause accidents. If you think your motorcycle accident was caused by dangerous roads, the government could be liable for your damages.
- Distracted Driving – Sadly, according to the Michigan State Police website, distracted driving is responsible for more serious and fatal accidents than ever before. Despite legislation to restrict cell phone use while driving, few people seem to take distracted driving seriously. If a distracted driver caused your accident, they should be held accountable.
- Poor Motorcycle or Auto Repairs – Motorcycles are serviced by mechanics and repair shops. These motorcycle repair workers have a duty to provide quality service. When they fail to service your motorcycle properly, their failure could cause an accident.
- Fatigued Driving – Driving is an activity that demands the full attention of the driver. Sleepy or fatigued driving can cause devastating accidents in the same way as impaired drivers can. Drowsy drivers are just as legally liable as drunk drivers.
- Reckless Driving – Some people simply don’t care about the harm they could cause others. They engage in risky behavior that could not only hurt them but others as well. Reckless drivers should be held to account for their actions.
Financial Compensation for Your Michigan Motorcycle Accident
One of the primary reasons you might file a motorcycle accident claim may be the rising costs resulting from your accident. You most likely will have incurred medical bills, lost income, and much more. Our motorcycle accident attorneys in Michigan can help you seek damages like:
- Medical expenses: Motorcycle accident victims often face extraordinarily high medical bills, as they often suffer serious and even catastrophic injuries. We will make sure we seek compensation for expenses like surgeries, physical therapy, rehabilitation, medications, hospital stays, emergency care, and related medical expenses. You may need future medical care, too, and we’ll make sure those costs are factored in.
- Income: You may be unable to work and earn your wages or income right after your motorcycle collision, and we’ll make sure to seek any forms of lost income.
- Lost earning potential: Some injuries may be so serious that you are unable to go back to work full-time, or at all. You may be able to switch professions, but now you lose out on the income and benefits that would have come with your original job. Our accident attorneys will make sure to account for this lost earning potential, not just your lost income.
- Expenses related to injuries and disabilities: Whether you need temporary in-home help, or you need to remodel parts of your home to accommodate for your new reality with a disability, we will make sure to seek compensation that helps you with these expenses. For example, your brain or spinal injuries may make it difficult to care for yourself, and you need a nurse or caretaker to help with daily tasks, or you may need to install a wheelchair lift to get you upstairs.
Not All Losses Have a Direct Financial Value
You may also be dealing with negative impacts that have nothing to do with money. For example, your motorcycle accident may have left you with:
- Disfiguring scars
- Amputated limbs
- Loss of mobility
- Chronic pain
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Difficulty connecting with your family members and maintaining meaningful and joyful relationships
- Physical pain and suffering
Working to overcome these while trying to heal is not easy. Winning your case can secure the compensation you need to pay for your losses, and allow you to begin the path to recovery and redefining your future.
An award can bring you justice and a sense of closure. We can handle the motorcycle accident claim process for you so you can focus on healing.
Why You Deserve Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident
As a biker, you deserve to enjoy the freedom associated with riding a motorcycle – not being constrained or contained by an automobile. The lack of the physical protection a car provides, however, means that motorcycle accidents typically result in serious injuries that can cost thousands or even millions of dollars to live with.
You may need protracted courses of treatment, therapy, and rehabilitation. You may not be able to work, you may need to spend time in a residential rehab facility, and you will likely incur substantial ongoing medical bills. If your loved one died as a result of the accident, you may also be looking at medical bills, the cost of emergency transport, and funeral expenses.
You deserve fair and adequate compensation to get the support, treatment, and equipment you need to move on with your life. Your injuries may feel overwhelming, but we’re here to help you tackle this rough road ahead. Lean on our motorcycle accident attorneys in Michigan for support.
Getting Compensation in a Michigan Motorcycle Accident Wrongful Death Claim
Michigan law dictates which family members may receive settlement funds after a fatal motorcycle crash. Typically, immediate family like spouses, children and parents are the primary beneficiaries. In some cases, we may be able to secure compensation for grandparents, siblings, or other relatives, depending on the circumstances.
We handle these sensitive cases with compassion. We’ll walk you through every step, from calculating expenses to ensuring settlement money is rightly distributed among loved ones according to state law. Please know we’ll fight to honor your deceased family member by winning full and fair compensation for all affected.
No amount of money can ever make up for losing someone close. But it can relieve financial burdens so you can grieve in peace. If you lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, you deserve compensation for the loss of your companion, parental figure, or your deceased loved one’s financial support. A Michigan motorcycle accident attorney can see that justice is served.
Who Pays the Medical Bills in a Michigan Motorcycle Accident Claim?
In Michigan, the payment of medical bills for a motorcycle accident depends on the specific circumstances of the crash and the insurance coverage involved. Here are some common scenarios:
- No-fault insurance: If the motorcycle accident involves a collision with a motor vehicle, the motorcyclist may be eligible for no-fault benefits through their own auto insurance policy or the policy of the owner of the motor vehicle involved. These benefits cover reasonable and necessary medical expenses related to the accident, regardless of who was at fault.
- Health insurance: If the motorcyclist has health insurance, their policy may cover some or all of their medical expenses related to the accident. However, the health insurance company may seek reimbursement from any available no-fault or liability insurance coverage.
- Motorcycle insurance: Some motorcycle insurance policies offer medical payment coverage or personal injury protection (PIP) that can help pay for medical expenses after an accident. However, this coverage is not mandatory in Michigan and may be limited.
- At-fault party’s insurance: If another party is found to be at fault for the motorcycle accident, their liability insurance may be responsible for paying the motorcyclist’s medical bills. However, the motorcyclist would need to pursue a liability claim and prove that the other party was negligent.
- Out-of-pocket: In some cases, the motorcyclist may have to pay for some medical expenses out-of-pocket, particularly if they do not have adequate insurance coverage or if there are disputes over liability or the severity of their injuries.
It’s important to note that Michigan’s no-fault laws do not automatically apply to motorcycle accidents unless the accident involves a collision with a motor vehicle. In single-vehicle motorcycle accidents or crashes involving another motorcycle, the payment of medical bills will depend on the specific insurance coverage available and the determination of fault.
Questions Your Michigan Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Will Ask in Your Case
Your Michigan personal injury lawyer will need to ask you a series of questions while we build your motorcycle accident claim. The information we gather through questioning helps us to build a robust case on your behalf. This includes preparing for negotiations with insurance companies and presenting evidence in court, if necessary.
During this process, we will create a comprehensive and compelling narrative of your motorcycle accident, injuries, and losses. This is essential for pursuing a successful claim. The questions we ask you may include:
- Who owns the motorcycle you were driving at the time of the accident?
- Did your motorcycle have insurance at the time of the accident?
- Who was at fault and was there more than one party involved who could share fault?
- Was anyone ticketed in the motorcycle accident?
- Did the other drivers who were involved in the wreck have insurance?
- What injuries did you sustain, or did your loved one sustain if it was a fatal crash?
- Did you go to hospital or have been seen by a doctor?
How Can a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Michigan Help You?
After a motorcycle accident, you have a lot to deal with all at once. You’re trying to recover from your injuries, worrying about how to pay your bills while you’re unable to work, and figuring out how to file a motorcycle accident claim. We can help with all of that, allowing you to focus on your treatment and health.
- We begin by taking your call and collecting all the details of your accident. Your motorcycle lawyer in Michigan will advise you whether your case is strong and how much it might be worth.
- If more evidence is needed to prove your case, your lawyer will manage the investigation and evidence collection.
- We approach every case with a trial-bound philosophy – we’re not interested in quick settlements, we’re interested in obtaining fair compensation for your loss.
- Insurance companies and adjusters are notorious and frequently do not have your best interests in mind; they are interested in paying out as little as possible. We won’t let them get away with it.
- We know how much your bike means to you. We’ll make sure the insurance company pays for repairs or replacement costs.
- You are entitled to a full and fair settlement from the insurer; your lawyer will make every effort to see that happen. We will fight to make sure the insurance companies can’t get away with giving you less than you deserve.
- If the insurance company is not forthcoming, we’ll take them to court.
Your attorney can assist with the entire motorcycle accident claim process. We can give you advice, guide you through the process, and work to see you get the outcome you deserve.
Our Michigan Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Change Lives
In this testimonial video, we meet Tim and Amber, whose story is far too common, thanks to the negligence of drivers on Michigan’s roads.
Tim suffered extensive and severe life-changing injuries when he was hit head-on while riding, resulting in the amputation of his leg. Dave Christensen and Sarah Stempky-Kime represented Tim. We succeeded in obtaining the home modifications they needed as well as substantial compensation that will provide for his and his family’s care for the long term.
Of his experience with our motorcycle accident lawyers, Tim said, “If it wasn’t for Christensen Law, I don’t know where I would be today. Thanks to Dave, Stephanie, and Michelle for getting me through this hard time. I didn’t know what to do, I trusted them with my life, and since I met them, they have become family.”
As fellow riders, we promise to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
Michigan Motorcycle Accident Claim FAQs
Do you have questions about filing a motorcycle accident claim before you call a Michigan motorcycle accident lawyer? Read through our Frequently Asked Questions. Or simply give us a call. There is no cost to you for a consultation; we only get paid when you do.
Can I receive compensation for pain and suffering?
Yes, you can receive financial compensation for your non-financial losses. Non-financial losses could include pain and suffering, mental trauma, scarring, disfigurement, permanent injury, and lost life enjoyment. Your lawyer can help you put a monetary value on these non-financial losses.
Injuries from motorcycle crashes often involve significant physical and emotional trauma. You deserve financial compensation for all aspects of your suffering, including:
- Physical pain from injuries like broken bones, burns, spinal cord damage
- Emotional trauma like depression, anxiety, PTSD
- Loss of enjoyment and lifestyle from permanent disabilities
- Scarring or disfigurement from surgeries, skin grafts
Quantifying pain and suffering can be complex, but it makes a huge difference in properly compensating accident victims. Our team has extensive experience calculating and negotiating pain and suffering damages in motorcycle cases.
Am I required to go to court for a Michigan motorcycle accident claim?
Most claims are settled out of court. You most likely will not need to go to court for your motorcycle accident case. On the rare occasion that court is necessary, a lawyer could litigate the case on your behalf.
The thought of going to court can seem intimidating after a motorcycle crash. But as your attorneys, it’s our job to handle the legal process so you can focus on recovery.
Many motorcycle accident claims settle out of court through strategic negotiation. However, sometimes we must go to trial if the insurer refuses to offer fair compensation. If we must litigate, we’ll be by your side every step of the way.
Our goal is always to settle outside court to speed up compensation and avoid trial stress for my clients. But we’re fully prepared to take your case before a judge and jury if needed to maximize your payout. Our team has extensive trial experience specifically for motorcycle accidents.
Can I file a claim if I was partially responsible for my Michigan motorcycle accident?
Yes, you can file a claim in Michigan, even if you were somewhat responsible for your motorcycle accident. According to Michigan Legislature Section 500.3135, your financial compensation could be reduced by the amount of fault assigned to you.
Michigan follows modified comparative negligence laws, meaning you can recover compensation as long as you weren’t more than 50% responsible for the crash.
For example, if you’re deemed 30% liable while the other driver was 70% negligent, you can still file a claim and recover 70% of your damages. Your compensation will be reduced according to your percentage of fault, but you won’t be barred completely.
We handle these complex comparative negligence cases all the time. Our goal is to minimize your liability and maximize your payout. We’ll investigate every aspect of the accident to show why the other motorist bears greater responsibility
How much does a motorcycle accident lawyer in Michigan cost?
As fellow bikers, we understand how devastating motorcycle accidents can be. That’s why we fight fiercely to get you the maximum compensation you deserve – at no upfront cost.
Here’s how it works: you pay nothing out of pocket for our legal services. You owe no attorneys’ fees whatsoever unless we win your case. Our fee is simply a percentage of your final settlement amount. This ensures that our interests are completely aligned with yours – we don’t get paid unless you get paid.
We provide this hassle-free, contingency-fee service because we want to empower victims to seek justice without financial barriers. You focus on your recovery while we handle the legal fight on your behalf. And we won’t quit until you receive every penny owed.
What is No-Fault reform for motorcycles in Michigan?
As of July 2020, Michigan’s so-called “No-Fault reform” limits medical coverage for injured bikers.
Here’s how it hurts bikers: Before, motorcyclists got unlimited lifetime medical benefits from the driver’s auto policy after a crash. But since reform took effect in 2020, we’re capped at whatever medical coverage that negligent driver chose for themselves.
So even if you’re severely injured by an automobile, your care could be cut off prematurely if that driver only opted for the minimum coverage. It’s an insult after injury and abandons vulnerable accident victims.
This law tried to strip critical protections from motorcyclists, but we’ll leverage our in-depth knowledge of the new laws to win you fair compensation and long-term medical care despite this unfair law. Justice will prevail, and we won’t rest until it does.
Reach Out to a Michigan Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
After a motorcycle accident, your life and the lives of your loved ones can change in an instant. The law is complex; you need a motorcycle accident attorney in Michigan with the specific legal knowledge and experience to ensure you are properly represented – and someone who can help shoulder the burden of your claim or lawsuit.
We know you have the heart and grit to handle anything. Together, we’ll overcome the challenges riders face.
Contact Christensen Law for help today. If you’re ready to begin moving forward from a motorcycle crash with the support and compensation you need, give us a call for a free case review. Call our number or fill out our online form.
