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Riding motorcycles is fun. We know because we are riders. We also know the threat that negligent drivers pose to bikers. If you suffered injuries in a crash, we will fight for you. We will not let at-fault parties or their negative assumptions about motorcycle riding make you feel guilty for doing something you love.
Our Shelby, MI motorcycle accident lawyers will protect your rights and pursue every cent owed for your medical treatment and more. We have advocated for clients since 1991 and know all the tips and tricks used to deny fair payment to the injured. We will pursue the maximum compensation possible and will not settle for less. Call Christensen Law today or contact us online for a free consultation.
Christensen Law Protects Motorcycle Accident Victims in Shelby
Motorcycle riders in Michigan have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle operators, meaning drivers must safely share the roadway with motorcyclists. However, as riders ourselves, we know all too well how negligent, careless, and reckless motorists can harm even the most experienced bikers.
When the worst happens and accidents occur, our Shelby, MI personal injury lawyers are here to help motorcycle accident victims get back on their feet.
We Are a Voice for the Unheard
You have been through a lot. We know you want justice, and we also know it is important to give victims the chance to tell their stories. We want to hear about what you have been through and how we will help.
We Put Our Clients’ Needs Front and Center
We build relationships with our clients so we will offer them personalized legal representation. They know they are working with a law firm they can trust to put their needs and goals first. We also provide practical support. You will not have to spend time and energy on paperwork, deadlines, or haggling with insurance agents. We handle the details so you can put your time and energy toward healing.
We Achieve Results
We do not pull any punches when it comes to going after the money our clients deserve. We fight hard using our firm’s full resources and will not settle for less. We approach every case as if we will take it to court and will not hesitate to represent you at trial.
We are proud to have achieved Michigan’s highest-ever personal injury verdict for an auto accident victim who was injured by a large truck. We recovered $17.8 million, which will allow our client to access the long-term healthcare she needs.
Our notable motorcycle accident case results include a $9.5 million settlement for a rider who suffered severe and catastrophic injuries, including a leg amputation, after being hit by a motor vehicle that crossed the centerline.
How Our Shelby, MI Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Recover Compensation
Michigan’s No-Fault insurance system gives motorcyclists several ways to recover compensation after an accident. Our motorcycle accident attorneys will guide you through your options, which may include:
Personal Injury Protection Insurance Claims
Most motorists in Michigan must carry No-Fault insurance to pay for crash damages. If hurt in a collision, covered parties recover losses from their own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, regardless of who caused the auto accident. However, the laws exclude motorcycle riders. Bikers do not have to have PIP. Instead, they can seek medical benefits via the No-Fault policy of the other driver involved in the wreck.
According to the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS), most drivers select a policy with either $250,000, $500,000, or unlimited medical coverage per person per accident. How much you can recover for a motorcycle accident injury will depend on the policy limit.
Michigan’s Assigned Claims Plan (MACP)
If there is no available PIP insurance, injured bikers can seek compensation through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan (MACP). The MACP matches qualifying claimants with participating No-Fault providers who will pay up to $250,000 in benefits.
Medical Benefits Coverage
Motorcycle riders can purchase optional medical benefits insurance in $5,000 increments. This coverage is not required unless you want to ride without a helmet. The DIFS states that helmetless bikers must have a minimum of $20,000 in coverage for themselves and $20,000 for each helmetless rider (unless they carry their own medical benefits coverage).
Third-Party Negligence Claims
If your medical costs are greater than the amount of insurance coverage available, you can seek compensation with a third-party auto liability insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. If another party’s negligent actions caused the motorcycle accident, you can seek uncovered medical expenses and additional damages not available through PIP insurance, including:
- Lost income and employment benefits
- Lost earning capacity
- Physical, mental, and emotional pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
- Replacement services
Sadly, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that motorcycle accidents have a higher rate of fatality than other types of car accidents because motorcycle riders do not have the protections of a vehicle cab to shield them from a crash impact.
If your loved one sustained a deadly injury, our Shelby, MI wrongful death attorneys can pursue a wrongful death case. We will pursue tangible and intangible damages related to the loss of your family member.
Contact Christensen Law today to learn more about your legal options. Complete our online request form or call today for a free consultation.
Our Shelby, MI Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Will Seek Maximum Financial Recovery
Whether seeking a PIP settlement or pursuing a negligence-based claim, we will aggressively negotiate for the maximum compensation possible. If you have a case against a liable party, we will do the work needed to prove negligence and establish your right to recover damages.
Some questions we will ask about your claim include:
- Who owns the motorcycle you were driving or riding?
- Was the bike covered by insurance?
- Who was at fault?
- Did the police write anyone a ticket?
- Did the other motorist have insurance?
- What are your injuries?
- Did you go to the hospital, or have you been seen by a doctor?
We will use this information and more to determine the fault for the collision, identify your losses, and begin the claims process. We will also gather case evidence, including eyewitness statements, medical records, police reports, video footage of the crash, and information and debris from the accident scene. We will call on medical professionals, crash reconstructionists, and other experts when needed.
We Will Defend You from Allegations of Wrongdoing
Liability insurance providers and opposing attorneys may try to use Michigan’s modified comparative fault laws to reduce your claim. According to Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 600.2959, if the court finds that an injured party’s negligent behavior contributed to an accident, it will reduce their economic damages by their percentage of fault.
For example, if you have $100,000 in out-of-pocket costs but are 30 percent liable, you will receive $70,000. If you are more than 50 percent at fault, you will not recover any noneconomic damages for pain and suffering and intangible losses. Our Shelby, MI motorcycle accident lawyers will defend you from accusations designed to pin the blame for the crash on you.
What Clients Say About Our Service
We want you to lean on our firm’s services, advice, and legal experience while our Shelby, MI motorcycle accident lawyers work to get the resources you need. Read what other clients have to say about the representation provided by our team:
- “If you have been in a motorcycle accident and don’t know where to turn for a knowledgeable legal team, Christensen Law truly cares and is there to help every step of the way.” — Adam Nael
- “Christensen Law far exceeded my expectations in handling our motorcycle accident case. [They] were kind and compassionate during one of the most difficult times my family has endured, AND they delivered results quickly and with ease. Thank you all for your phenomenal work!” — Jenna Sumlin
Common Motorcycle Accident Causes for Shelby Residents
The State of Michigan reports that most motorcycle collisions happen at intersections because a vehicle turns left into the oncoming biker’s lane. In addition, 84 percent of motorcycle crashes occur on city streets, not highways.
On streets, there are many vehicles in motion, often close together, and motorcycles can be difficult to see. Riders can end up in blind spots, and it can be challenging for drivers to gauge their speed and distance.
Other factors that can cause accidents include:
- Failure to obey traffic signs and signals
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Following or passing a motorcycle too closely
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive or reckless driving
What Is the Motorcycle Accident Statute of Limitations?
Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 600.5805 allows three years to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. You have one year to sue for PIP benefits under Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 500.3145. We will tell you more about case deadlines and help you get started before time runs out.
Christensen Law Will Handle Your Shelby Motorcycle Accident Case
Christensen Law is prepared to take on even the most complex auto accident cases. If you or someone you love suffered an injury, contact us today to learn more about how our Shelby, MI motorcycle accident lawyer can fight for you. Call 24/7 or reach out online. We offer free consultations.
