Motorcycle accidents are a lot to deal with, and no one knows that better than bikers like you. After an accident in Wyoming, Michigan, it can be difficult to know what to do and where to go. You might still be in the hospital or at home recovering and trying to juggle all the calls with insurance companies, and it’s stressful and exhausting.
With Christensen Law by your side, you don’t need to bear the brunt of the legal responsibility. Our Wyoming motorcycle accident attorneys have over 30 years of experience helping people fight back against negligent drivers, and we’d like to get started with you, too. Call our firm for help with your personal injury case.
Protecting Riders After Motorcycle Accidents Since 1991
Here at Christensen Law, we have a long tradition of standing up for injury victims who suffered harm in accidents. This goes double for bikers exercising their right to ride Michigan’s highways and roads. Drivers often disregard the safety of those riding bikes, and it can lead to disastrous consequences. We are determined to help you by:
- Gathering evidence and drawing on expert testimony: In order to fight on your behalf, we need proof of the other driver’s negligence and your harm. We will investigate your case and compile evidence that supports your claim. We can draw on accident reconstructionists, eyewitnesses, photo and video proof, and other forms of evidence to bolster our arguments.
- Establishing liability: As personal injury attorneys, it’s crucial that we clearly establish the other party’s negligence. This means showing that they owed you a duty of care and did not uphold this duty. We must also show a direct link between their actions and your harm, and we must document the full extent of your injuries. This can be quite difficult to do on your own, so leave it to us to fight on your behalf.
- Managing communication with insurers: Insurance companies may try to contact you for statements, and saying the wrong thing could jeopardize your case. Our motorcycle accident attorneys make it their mission to protect you and your case from insurers who do not always have your interests at heart.
- Evaluating the full extent of your losses: In the dizzying and overwhelming aftermath of a bike accident, it’s easy to underestimate the true scope of your damages and injuries. We’ll draw on our resources to help fully calculate all of your losses, both economic and non-economic, so you are not shortchanged by the other party.
- Negotiating a settlement: Whenever possible, we try to settle matters with insurers during negotiations. This makes the process easier and shorter for you, but insurance companies are not always willing to negotiate. If we can settle for a fair amount, we will, but our team is ready to take things to court.
- Representing you at trial: We will not hesitate to take the other party to trial to get you the compensation you need after a Wyoming, MI bike accident.
- Taking your case on a contingency fee basis: We know how costly a motorcycle accident can be, which is why we have contingency fee arrangements for our personal injury clients. This means that you do not owe us any money up front, and we can get started on your case right away. We get paid only if we can successfully negotiate a settlement or verdict on your behalf and we receive an agreed-upon percentage of these earnings.
We will help you with these and other tasks, so do not wait to call us now. We have free consultations.
Preparing for a Consultation
During intake and investigation, our team must review all the facts of your case to determine liability, estimate losses, and make a legal strategy. Here is just some of the information we collect:
- Motorcycle ownership details
- Information about any insurance policies on the motorcycle and the insurance policies of the other driver
- Details about who was at fault and caused the accident and if police gave out tickets to you or the other driver
- Information about your injuries and follow-up care with a hospital or physician
These and other details allow us to get started with your case.
You Deserve Fair Compensation for Your Wyoming Motorcycle Accident
Our injury lawyers have seen many types of cases, and everyone’s needs are different, even in similar types of accidents. Although it’s hard to know exactly what you can pursue without knowing the facts of your case, we can likely pursue:
- Medical expenses for your injuries: You may need compensation for various surgeries, physical therapy sessions, office visits, medications, equipment, and related losses. We will also make sure any future expenses are included, as well.
- Emotional damages: Emotional losses account for any of the mental and emotional impacts of your motorcycle accident. You may be suffering from depression or anxiety, and you are no longer able to enjoy your life or the things that previously brought you joy. Perhaps your relationship with your spouse may suffer because of your emotional and physical injuries. Some people suffer greatly from emotional and physical pain after an accident, and it completely changes their life. These and other losses are important, and we will make sure to seek compensation for all of them.
- Lost forms of income: Motorcycle accidents can cause serious and catastrophic injuries that impact all facets of your life, including your profession and ability to earn income. Whether you are out of work for months, weeks, years, or for the rest of your life, we can help compensate you for your lost income, tips, salary, and other forms of income. We can even seek “lost earning potential,” which accounts for some of the benefits you may have gotten had you continued working.
With our experience and access to professionals who can help us estimate your losses, we will make sure you get all of the money you are owed after your motorcycle accident in Wyoming, Michigan.
Wyoming, Michigan Motorcycle Accidents Present Unique Challenges for Victims
As riders ourselves, we know that there are some important factors to consider when handling these kinds of accident cases.
You Don’t Have Long to File Your Lawsuit
Lawsuits for personal injury cases are subject to the state statute of limitations. Per Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 600.5805, you only have three years to file a lawsuit for your accident or for a wrongful death on behalf of a deceased loved one.
Three years can go by very quickly, so the sooner you reach out to us, the better. While we may be able to settle your case without going to trial, it’s important to give yourself time in case your case does get to the lawsuit stage.
PIP and Riders
Michigan is a No-Fault auto accident state, which means that when two drivers get into an accident, they will first turn to their own personal injury protection (PIP) insurance for compensation for coverage. The injured party may be able to seek compensation due to negligence if the injuries meet a certain threshold. However, PIP works differently when the victim was riding their motorcycle at the time of the collision.
PIP does not cover motorcycles, but riders must have a certain amount of coverage determined by state law. If you were riding your motorcycle and got into a car accident, you could seek recovery from the operator’s insurance. Of course, the driver may try to dispute your claim and say you were at fault, which presents new challenges. You could then also seek additional compensation from the Motorcycles and the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA).
If you were in a motorcycle accident that did not involve a motor vehicle, then your own motorcycle insurance is supposed to handle your losses. However, trying to figure out what insurance to seek, what parties are negligent, and how much you are owed can be incredibly confusing, so we recommend reaching out to our team to discuss your options.
Seeking Compensation When You Are Partially At Fault
Many bikers ask us if they are able to pursue a claim or suit if they are partially at fault for the accident. Michigan follows a modified comparative negligence system, outlined in Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 600.2959.
Basically, you can be up to 50 percent responsible for the motorcycle accident and still collect damages, but your compensation will be reduced by this percentage. If you are deemed more than 50 percent at fault, you risk losing out on valuable non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
Even if you are not at fault at all, the other party may try to place more blame on you, thus reducing your damages and even denying them to you altogether. Our firm will work to fight these tactics to get you the compensation you are owed, so you don’t have to do it alone.
Let Our Motorcycle Accident Team Represent Your Wyoming, MI Case
We know just how stressful this time is, but don’t worry, our Wyoming motorcycle accident lawyers are here to help you now. We have spent 30 years fighting for Michiganders and their interests, and we are determined to fight for you now. Call us now for help with your case.
