Due to the vulnerable and unprotected state of motorcycle riders, when a crash occurs it can lead to horrible outcomes. The injuries can be life altering, leading to substantial medical bills, lost wages, and an emotional rollercoaster. Hiring a Michigan motorcycle accident lawyer who is experienced and dedicated to fighting for you is vitally important. This is especially true when the accident is caused by a drunk driver.
Drunk driving is all too common on Michigan roadways. There are close to 10,000 crashes every year that are alcohol related in Michigan. In 2018, 5,392 individuals were injured in an alcohol related crash, with 315 fatalities. Tragically, 41 of those fatalities involved somebody on a motorcycle.
Compensation for a Motorcycle Accident Claim
Individuals who are injured while operating or riding on a motorcycle can get compensated in two different ways. The first way is by obtaining Michigan no-fault benefits. If a motor vehicle is involved in the crash, such as car or truck, then the motorcycle operator or passenger can get lost wages and medical bills paid by the auto insurance carrier for the car or truck. This is true even if the motorcycle rider caused the car accident. This is called a PIP claim. An experienced Michigan no-fault motorcycle injury lawyer can assist you in setting up a claim, and obtaining all the benefits you are entitled to, which can be very substantial.
Another form of compensation is for the pain and suffering a negligent driver caused by breaking a rule of the road. If another driver is at least 50% at-fault for causing the motorcycle crash, whether by speeding, making an illegal turn or drunk driving, under Michigan law the injured person can claim non-economic damages. These damages include all past and future pain and suffering, emotional distress, anxiety, loss of companionship, loss of consortium and other forms of money compensation.
To get compensation for pain and suffering, under Michigan law there are certain criteria you must meet. It is important to consult with a hard-working, dedicated, and knowledgeable attorney to provide you legal advice and help you navigate these rules and get the money you deserve.
Time Limits for Motorcycle Drunk Driving Accident Cases
The time limits for motorcycle accident case involving alcohol and drugs are the same as similar negligence cases. Under Michigan law, you have three years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit against all proper defendants. If you wait too long, and file after the three-year time limit, then your ability to obtain compensation against that defendant ends. Although there are exceptions for minors and some wrongful death situations, the 3-year statute of limitation is strictly enforced.
By filing a lawsuit, you are tolling the statute of limitations. This allows you and your attorney to move forward with a case, even if more than 3 years has passed by since the motorcycle accident. The proper venue to file the motorcycle injury lawsuit is typically in the county where the crash occurred. However, there are exceptions to this rule.
Legal Help for Motorcycle Drunk Driving Cases in Michigan
Motorcycle accidents are life changing events. Throw in alcohol or drugs into the mix, and the frustration levels only increase as a pleasant drive turns into a nightmare because of someone else’s horrible decision. It is critical to find a motorcycle accident lawyer who can help put the pieces back together.
The dedicated motorcycle accident attorneys at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C. and Lee Steinberg Law Firm has spent their entire professional lives assisting accident victims and winning cases for Michigan motorcycle crash victims. We work tirelessly and aggressively to pursue every avenue for recovery. Please call toll free at 1-800-LEE-FREE (1-800-533-3733) for a free consultation. There is never a fee until we win your case.
Video transcript
Drunk driving accidents are pretty common in motorcycle cases, not so much with the motorcycle riders, but obviously other people causing the accident. The motorcycle drunk driving cases in Michigan increase during the summertime, again you have motorists out there who are drinking and driving, making a horrible decision, getting out on the road and colliding with a motorcycle operator. That’s a typical motorcycle drunk driving case. Those tend to happen again in busy streets, not far from where the motorcyclist lives. It’s just amazing how often those accidents happen close to home. You know, we handle those cases all over the state, there’s a prosecution that obviously gets filed along with the civil discovery in those types of situations, because it’s a homicide, if it’s a wrongful death situation, but yeah, we handle those cases all over the state of Michigan.
