Motorcycle riding throughout Battle Creek can be as risky as it is exhilarating. While enjoyable to ride along, routes like Helmer Road, Columbia Avenue, and stretches near Goguac Lake are full of drivers who don’t always share the road safely. When one of them causes a car accident, the motorcyclist is the one more likely to suffer severe injuries like broken bones, hip and leg injuries, and even trauma that leads to wrongful death.
If it happens to you, the road ahead can be difficult. Insurance adjusters will soon be calling, feigning concern and sympathy, but trying to find ways to reduce their payout. At the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, we have helped many injured riders get the financial compensation they need to recover after a preventable crash. Our Battle Creek motorcycle accident lawyers are experienced, assertive, and determined to win a settlement that covers your current losses while protecting your future.
Why Hire Us for Your Motorcycle Accident Claim in Battle Creek?
The personal injury lawyers at the Lee Steinberg Law firm represent motorcyclists throughout Michigan, including those injured in Battle Creek and Calhoun County. We know firsthand how Michigan’s insurance laws apply to motorcycle claims and will aggressively push back when adjusters try to reduce your compensation or blame you for the crash. If the insurance company won’t take your injuries seriously, we will, even if that means going to court.
Here’s what you can expect when you hire our personal injury law firm:
- We’ve Handled Catastrophic Motorcycle Injuries: Our Battle Creek motorcycle accident attorneys have worked on personal injury cases involving traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, crushed limbs, and fractured bones. We collect and organize every medical report, specialist opinion, and long-term treatment plan to support the full extent of your claim.
- We Know How Michigan Insurance Works for Riders: If your motorcycle accident involved a car or truck, we’ll help you apply for Michigan no-fault benefits to cover your medical bills and lost wages. We also pursue liability claims against the driver who caused the crash, holding them accountable under state law.
- We Build a Strong Case From Day One: Our team gathers all available evidence early, such as photos of the crash site, statements from witnesses, body cam footage, and scene diagrams. We also consult with medical providers and, when needed, bring in auto accident reconstruction experts to make your personal injury claim as strong as possible.
- We’re Ready to Go to Trial: If the insurance company won’t make a fair offer, our Michigan personal injury lawyers are prepared to file a lawsuit and present your case in court. We don’t wait until the last minute to prepare – we treat every motorcycle accident case as if it may be decided by a judge or jury.
Our personal injury attorneys work on contingency, which means you won’t pay anything up front to hire us. Our fee ultimately comes out of the settlement or verdict, and if we don’t win compensation for you, you owe no legal fees whatsoever.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Battle Creek
Motorcycle crashes in Battle Creek can usually be attributed to careless or inattentive driving. Many of these incidents happen in areas with heavy traffic or poor visibility, but the pattern is usually the same: drivers fail to look for motorcycles or act as if they aren’t there. We’ve handled cases across Calhoun County involving everything from left-turn collisions to road hazards that should’ve been addressed by city crews.
- Left-Turn Collisions at Intersections: These crashes happen when a driver turns left across traffic and cuts off a rider traveling in the opposite direction. The motorcyclist often has little time to react, and the impact usually sends them over the hood or onto the pavement. These intersections, which are usually due to motorist inattention, are especially dangerous during rush hour or low-visibility weather.
- Improper Lane Changes: Drivers who fail to check blind spots or signal before changing lanes put motorcyclists at serious risk. On roads with higher speeds or heavy traffic, a sudden lane shift due to distracted driving can leave a rider with nowhere to go. We’ve represented clients who were forced off the road or struck directly by vehicles drifting into their lane.
- Tailgating and Unsafe Following Distance: Many drivers don’t treat motorcycles with the same caution as larger vehicles. When they follow too closely, even a minor slowdown by the rider can lead to a rear-end crash. These collisions can result in back injuries, whiplash, or worse, especially when the rider is thrown forward onto hard pavement or into another vehicle.
- Hazardous Road Conditions: Roads that haven’t been repaired or cleared after storms can create major hazards for motorcyclists. Potholes, gravel, or loose debris that might be manageable for a passenger car can throw a motorcycle off balance in seconds. These conditions are especially dangerous on curves or near shoulder drop-offs.
- Dooring Accidents: In areas with parallel parking, such as Michigan Avenue or West Van Buren Street, drivers sometimes open car doors directly into the path of an oncoming rider. These impacts occur suddenly, giving the motorcyclist no time to stop or swerve. Injuries include broken wrists, shoulder damage, and severe road rash from being thrown onto the street.
- Poor Visibility: Poor lighting, worn lane markings, and temporary barriers in construction areas can make it difficult for motorcyclists to stay safe. At night or in bad weather, the risks increase. Motorcycle riders can lose control after hitting uneven pavement or being forced into narrow paths between cones and barrels, especially when the work zone isn’t well marked.
Injuries We See in Motorcycle Accident Cases
Since motorcyclists are more exposed than the occupants of trucks and passenger vehicles, they tend to suffer catastrophic injuries. Even at lower speeds, the force of impact can throw you from the bike, crush bones, or cause organ damage. Many of our clients need emergency care, surgery, and follow-up treatment that can last for months or longer.
Here are some of the most common injuries we see in motorcycle accident claims:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): A hard blow to the head can cause brain damage, even if you were wearing a helmet. Some riders experience memory problems, mood changes, or difficulty concentrating after the crash.
- Back and Neck Injuries: Damage to the spine can result in chronic pain, limited movement, or permanent disability. These injuries usually need surgical intervention and years of rehabilitation.
- Fractured Bones and Joint Damage: Broken arms, wrists, legs, and collarbones are common in motorcycle crashes. Many riders also suffer joint injuries, including dislocations or torn ligaments in the shoulders, knees, or ankles.
- Internal Bleeding and Organ Damage: A sharp impact can cause internal injuries that aren’t always obvious at first. Without fast medical attention, these injuries can lead to complications or become life-threatening.
- Road Rash and Soft Tissue Injuries: Sliding across the pavement can tear through skin, muscle, and tissue. These road rash wounds often need skin grafts, leave permanent scars, and increase the risk of infection.
- Psychological Trauma: Riders may experience anxiety, nightmares, or a lasting fear of getting back on a motorcycle. These mental effects, which are categorized as pain and suffering, can be just as disruptive as the physical injuries.
What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Battle Creek
A motorcycle crash can leave you disoriented, bleeding, and in serious pain. The first thing you should do is call 911 and report the auto accident – if your phone is lost or damaged, ask a bystander for help. When police arrive, provide a clear, factual account of what you witnessed without offering opinions about fault or intent. The police report will carry weight later, so your statement must reflect only what you directly observed.
- Get Medical Attention: Not all injuries from motorcycle crashes show up right away. Internal bleeding, torn muscles, or head trauma can feel sore at first but get worse within hours. Go with the ambulance or visit the ER as soon as possible. If you wait too long, the insurance company will question whether the crash caused your injuries.
- Take Photos of the Accident Scene: If you’re physically able, use your phone to take wide shots of the crash scene. Include your bike, the other vehicle, skid marks, broken parts, traffic signals, and anything on the road surface. Then take close-up shots of your injuries, torn clothes, and helmet damage. These images can become key evidence when fault is disputed.
- Get Contact Info from Witnesses: If anyone saw the accident, ask for their name and phone number. A short statement from a neutral witness can carry more weight than anything the driver says. Don’t rely on police to get this information for you – officers sometimes miss it if they’re rushed or responding to multiple calls.
- Don’t Talk to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company: You’ll probably get a call within a day or two. The adjuster may sound polite, ask how you’re doing, and offer to “help with paperwork.” What they’re really doing is recording your words and looking for anything they can use against you. Be civil, but tell them to contact your personal injury attorney.
- Call a Battle Creek Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Right Away: Evidence from the crash scene can disappear quickly. Traffic camera footage may be erased, physical debris may be cleared, and witnesses can go off-radar. The sooner you contact a personal injury lawyer, the easier it is to secure the details needed to support your claim. An experienced attorney can also manage communications with the insurance company so you don’t have to deal with pressure while recovering.
Michigan’s Motorcycle Accident Laws: What You Need to Know
Motorcycle collisions are treated differently from car accidents under Michigan law. Riders don’t automatically receive the same benefits as drivers covered by no-fault insurance rules. Whether or not you can receive medical coverage, wage loss, or other payments depends on how the crash happened and what types of insurance are involved.
Michigan No-Fault Benefits Apply Only if a Motor Vehicle Was Involved
The Michigan no-fault system covers medical care, lost wages, and replacement services, but only if a car or truck was part of the crash. If you swerved to avoid a vehicle and crashed without making physical contact with it, the no-fault system may not apply. We review the facts and available liability insurance coverage to determine what you may be eligible to claim.
You Can File a Liability Claim Against the At-Fault Driver
When another driver causes a motorcycle accident, you may be able to pursue maximum compensation for pain and suffering, unpaid medical bills, and future lost income. Michigan law limits these claims to cases involving death, permanent serious disfigurement, or a serious impairment of body function. To move forward, you’ll need medical documentation, physician reports, and evidence showing how the injury has disrupted your ability to work or perform daily activities.
Motorcyclists Aren’t Required to Carry No-Fault Insurance
Unlike drivers of passenger vehicles, motorcyclists aren’t required to carry no-fault insurance themselves. Instead, Michigan motorcycle laws require them to carry liability coverage, and personal injury protection may be optional. This can create gaps in coverage if you’re involved in a serious accident.
Uninsured and Underinsured Coverage Can Protect You
If the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little to cover your losses, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist policy may provide additional compensation. These claims can be disputed, even by your own insurance company, so legal support is often needed.
Time Limits Apply to All Claims
Michigan law places a statute of limitations on motorcycle accident claims. You typically have one year to file a claim for Michigan no-fault benefits and three years to file a liability lawsuit. If you wait too long, your personal injury case may be dismissed, even if you have strong evidence.
What Compensation Can You Claim?
Injuries from a motorcycle accident can affect nearly every part of your life. Medical bills, missed paychecks, and long-term physical changes are just the beginning. If the other driver caused the collision, you may be able to recover financial compensation through an insurance claim or lawsuit. The value of your case depends on the coverage available, how the injury has impacted your life, and whether your condition meets Michigan’s legal standard for a bodily injury claim.
Here are the types of compensation that may be available through the insurance claims process:
- Medical Expenses: This includes the cost of ambulance transport, emergency care, hospital admission, surgery, imaging (such as CT scans or MRIs), and prescriptions. Physical therapy, assistive devices, in-home care, and follow-up appointments are also recoverable. If your doctors recommend future treatment, those projected costs may also be included in your claim.
- Lost Wages: If your injuries kept you out of work, you can claim lost income for the time you were unable to earn a paycheck. If the injury limits your hours, prevents you from returning to your job, or forces you to take lower-paying work, the difference in income may be part of your wage compensation. Economic experts and vocational experts can provide statements regarding this aspect of your injuries.
- Pain and Suffering: These damages account for physical pain, emotional distress, sleep disruption, and the effect the injury has on your daily life. To qualify, your injury must meet Michigan’s threshold for serious harm, such as permanent disfigurement or impairment of body function.
- Replacement Services: If your injuries prevent you from doing tasks like cleaning, driving, grocery shopping, or caring for children, you may be reimbursed for help you’ve had to hire. This compensation is available even for short-term periods while recovering. Receipts, written agreements, or calendars showing hours of outside assistance help document this category.
- Damage to Your Motorcycle and Riding Gear: Property damage includes repair or replacement of your motorcycle, helmet, gloves, jacket, boots, and other safety equipment. Photos, repair estimates, and purchase receipts can be used to establish the value of what was lost or destroyed.
Every motorcycle accident case is different. The amount you may recover depends on your injuries, your ability to work, and the available insurance coverage. Your Michigan motorcycle accident attorney can help you determine how much compensation you need to cover past damages as well as your ongoing medical and financial needs.
Get a Free Consultation From a Battle Creek Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in Battle Creek or anywhere else in Calhoun County, the sooner you contact a lawyer, the easier it is to gather evidence, protect your right to maximum compensation, and stay ahead of insurance providers who actively work against you.
At the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, we can help you file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against a negligent driver or any other party who caused or contributed to your motor vehicle accident. We’ve gotten excellent results for past clients and look forward to doing the same for you and your family. To schedule a free initial consultation, call our personal injury law firm today at 1-800-LEE-FREE (1-800-533-3733) or fill out our online contact form.