Ypsilanti Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Who Can Help

The Ypsilanti motorcycle accident lawyers at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm know how to get the most money and justice for our clients and their families. For 50 years, we have represented Washtenaw County residents severely injured while riding a motorcycle or a passenger on a motorcycle. Motorcycle riders face a huge risk of serious injury and death due to the lack of protection. Contact our office for a free consultation and help. 

You Don’t Pay Anything Until We Win Your Case 

We take all over cases on a contingency-fee basis. This means there are no upfront legal fees or costs. In fact, you do not pay anything until we win your case. That is our guarantee and it has provided access to justice for our clients for the past 50 years. 

How Do I Get Compensation for Injuries from a Motorcycle Crash

Under Michigan law, if another driver is at least 50% at-fault for causing a motorcycle crash, both the driver and owner of the vehicle are liable for the injuries the motorcycle rider sustained. This is called liability or negligence. It is the foundation for every Michigan motorcycle pain and suffering case.

Because the police and law enforcement tend to place blame on a motorcyclist for causing a crash, it is essential to hire a great Ypsilanti motorcycle accident law firm near you to fight for your rights. An experienced Ypsilanti motorcycle accident lawyer will obtain video footage of the accident, get the police report as quickly as possible, talk to witnesses, and hire accident reconstruction experts if needed.

Going for medical treatment is also very important. If a person is injured in a motorcycle accident, they need to see doctors for their injuries if required. Following up with your doctor, and seeing a specialist like an orthopedic surgeon helps prove the severity of your injuries.

What To Do After an Ypsilanti, MI Motorcycle Accident

After a motorcycle accident, if possible, it is important to take the following steps to protect your rights. 

1. Call the police or 911. Make sure help comes to the accident scene as quickly as possible. Even if you don’t know your injuries are serious, it is best to have a medical professional check on you. 

2. Talk to the Police. Even if you cannot do this at the accident scene, make sure the police get a statement from you about how the accident occurred. This can be done at any time after the crash. 

3. Take pictures. Try to take photographs of the accident scene. This includes pictures of your motorcycle, the vehicle damage of the other cars, and the license plates of other cars.

4. Exchange information with all people involved in the crash. Get the names and telephone numbers of any witnesses. 

5. Go to the hospital or local urgent care. Even a minor injury can become severe. 

6. Contact an Ypsilanti motorcycle injury lawyer to find out your rights

It is also advisable to not discuss your injuries or the accident with any car insurance company without first talking to a lawyer. Also, do not post about the accident on social media. 

Who Pays the Medical Bills for a Motorcycle Accident in Michigan?

It depends if a motor vehicle (like a car, truck or bus) was involved in causing the crash. If no motor vehicle is involved, then the injured person must turn to their own health insurance to get medical bills paid. If another motorcycle caused the crash, the insurance company for the at-fault motorcycle driver will pay out-of-pocket costs and may have to reimburse the health insurance carrier. 

However, if a motor vehicle is involved in the accident, then the Michigan no-fault law applies. Under MCL 500.3102, so long as the owner of a motorcycle has motorcycle insurance at the time of the accident, they are eligible for benefits. The order for who pays the medical bills is described under MCL 500.3114. Under the law, there is a specific order for which auto insurance company is responsible for paying no-fault benefits, such as medical bills:

1. The insurer of the owner of the motor vehicle involved in the accident.

2. The insurer of the driver of the motor vehicle involved in the accident. 

3. The car insurance carrier of the operator of the motorcycle 

4. The car insurance carrier of the owner of the motorcycle involved in the accident.

5. The Michigan Assigned Claims Plan 

In summary, the insurance company for the owner of the car is first in line to pay the medical bills. Unfortunately, under the new law, you are stuck with whatever amount of medical coverage the car owner elected to purchase for their vehicle. If the owner didn’t have insurance, but the driver is a different person and does have car insurance, then the driver’s auto insurance must pick up the tab. 

If the owner and driver don’t have auto insurance, only then does your own car insurance company pay the medical bills.

If a motorcyclist does not have auto insurance, then he or she can turn to the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan. The MACP will pay up to $250,000 in medical bills following a motorcycle accident involving a motor vehicle.  

Who Pays for the Crashed Motorcycle or Collision Claim in Michigan?

Michigan is a no-fault state. This means you must purchase collision coverage for your own motorcycle insurance company to get money to have your motorcycle fixed after a car accident. 

Even if the motor vehicle was at-fault for damaging and even totaling your motorcycle, the insurance carrier for the at-fault vehicle typically does not pay for the motorcycle damage. Instead, the motorcycle owner’s own motorcycle insurance is responsible for paying the claim. 

Common Reasons for Ypsilanti, MI Motorcycle Accidents 

There are many reasons why a motorcycle crash can occur. Despite some prejudice towards motorcycle operators, motorcycles are not the cause of most crashes. Instead, careless, and reckless drivers are the cause of these life-changing incidents. The following are the most common causes of motorcycle accident crashes in Michigan:

• Distracted driving. When a driver is using a cell phone or not paying attention, they are distracted. This is now the leading cause of car crashes in Michigan. 
• Speeding. Driving too fast increases the odds of a crash dramatically.  
• Head-on collisions. When a driver tries to pass another vehicle or loses control of their vehicle, they can strike a motorcycle rider head-on when coming from the other direction.  
• Illegal turn at an intersection. Vehicles must wait for traffic to pass before making a left-hand turn. 
• Rear-end accidents. When drivers are speeding or not distracted, rear-end accidents are often the result. 
• Running a red light. Drivers who are distracted or drunk can run a red light and cause a horrible crash at an intersection.  
• Running a stop sign. A driver who runs a stop sign is just as negligent as a driver running a red light.  
• Illegal lane change. Many drivers fail to see a motorcycle rider when they are changing lanes. 
• Drinking and driving. Driving while intoxicated or on drugs impairs a driver and slows down decision-making. When a crash with a motorcycle happens, the results can be tragic. 

The Ypsilanti motorcycle accident lawyers at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C. work tirelessly to investigate everything for our clients. Call us today at 1-800-533-3733 with any questions you may have.  

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries 

Because the motorcycle driver or passenger is not protected, the injuries from a motorcycle crash can be very severe. It is important to protect yourself when riding by wearing safety equipment, in particular a helmet, leather gear, and boots. 

• Broken bones. Broken bones are common motorcycle accident injuries and can require physical therapy, surgery, and a long recovery time. 
• Road rash and severe scarring. Treatment for road rash can range from using creams to skin grafts and plastic surgery. 
• Facial injuries. These injuries can be especially awful if the rider is not wearing a helmet. A broken jaw, broken nose, and scarring are common injuries to the face. 
• Low back pain and lumbar herniation. When a rider is knocked off a bike or hit by a car, then whiplash can cause serious damage to the back. 
• Neck pain. Neck injuries can create severe neck stiffness, pain in the shoulders, burning, and numbness in the arms and hands. Treatment of neck pain can be extensive, including physical therapy and a neck fusion.  
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) or closed head injury. Injuries to the head can result in life-changing events, such as cognitive impairment, memory loss, migraine headaches, mood swings, and sensitivity to light and sound. 
• Torn ligaments. Tears to the ligaments and tendons can also result in surgery. Examples include a torn ACL, meniscus, Achilles Tendon, or ulnar nerve injury.

Basic Michigan Motorcycle Accident Laws

There are specific laws in Michigan that pertain to motorcycle operators and their passengers. Here is a quick reference to a few of those safety rules. 

Helmet Law – A motorcycle rider is required to wear an approved crash helmet unless he or she is (1) at least 21 years old, (2) has at least $20,000 in first-party medical benefits, and (3) has held a motorcycle endorsement for at least 2 years, or passed an approved motorcycle safety course. This is the motorcycle helmet law. MCL 257.658(5).

Pass between lines of traffic. A person operating a motorcycle shall not pass between lines of traffic but may pass on the left of traffic moving in his or her direction in the case of a 2-way street or on the left or right of traffic in the case of a 1-way street, in an unoccupied lane. MCL 257.660.

Riding on the seat of the motorcycle; multiple riders. (1) A motorcycle operator must ride upon and astride a permanent and regular seat attached to that vehicle. (2) A motorcycle or moped shall not be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped. MCL 257.658.

Handlebars of the motorcycle. A person shall not operate a motorcycle or moped equipped with handlebars that are higher than 30 inches from the lowest point of the undepressed saddle to the highest point of the handle grips. MCL 257.661a.

Lane Sharing. Lane sharing is not permitted. Instead, a group of motorcyclists must operate in a staggered formation.  

How Much Time Is There to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit? 

There is a time limit for filing a lawsuit against the proper defendants who caused the crash. This is called the statute of limitations. In most cases, an injured person has 3 years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit in court. 

However, this time limit is different for claims for first-party benefits. Sometimes, the time limit can be as short as one year if there are unpaid medical bills, lost wages, and other benefits. Contact our Ypsilanti motorcycle accident lawyers for more information.  

Contact Us Today – Our Ypsilanti, MI Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Are Ready to Represent You

When you have sustained injuries following a motorcycle accident in Ypsilanti you have a lot on your plate. The attorneys at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm will protect you and stand by your side throughout the case. We will fight for the monetary compensation you deserve by law.  

We have represented Washtenaw County residents for almost 50 years and obtained hundreds of millions in settlements and verdicts. 
Call us for a free consultation at 1-800-533-3733, or fill out a contact form with us today.