There is freedom in riding a motorcycle that is hard to explain unless you have experienced it. But when another driver makes a careless move, a rider can pay a devastating price. One crash can bring serious injuries, medical bills, missed work, and insurance problems into your life overnight.
There is freedom in riding a motorcycle that is hard to explain unless you have experienced it. But when another driver makes a careless move, a rider can pay a devastating price. One crash can bring serious injuries, medical bills, missed work, and insurance problems into your life overnight.
At Mungo Law, we represent injured people across Michigan, including Wayne, Oakland, and Genesee counties. We believe your case deserves respect, straight answers, and personal attention. If someone else's negligence caused your motorcycle accident, you may have rights worth protecting.
Motorcycle Accident Claims Are Different in Michigan
Michigan No-Fault Rules for Motorcyclists
Michigan's no-fault system has special rules for motorcycle operators and passengers. When a motorcycle crash involves a motor vehicle, Michigan law establishes an order for seeking applicable Personal Injury Protection benefits.
The correct source of benefits depends on the circumstances and available insurance coverage. That is why reviewing every potentially applicable policy is important.
Depending on the facts, PIP benefits may include certain:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Replacement services
- Other benefits permitted under Michigan law
A Negligence Claim May Also Be Available
Insurance benefits are only one part of the picture. An injured rider may also have a negligence claim against the person responsible for the collision.
Depending on the circumstances, recoverable damages could include medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses. Michigan law and available insurance coverage affect what compensation may be pursued.
Every motorcycle case has its own facts. We start by figuring out what happened, who may be responsible, and what coverage is available.
What Causes Motorcycle Accidents in Michigan?
Left-Turn and Failure-to-Yield Crashes
Left-turn accidents can be particularly dangerous for motorcyclists. A vehicle may turn across a rider's path at an intersection, driveway, or parking lot entrance.
The driver may later say the motorcycle "came out of nowhere." That statement does not establish what actually happened. Visibility, right-of-way, speed, traffic signals, and driver attention can all matter.
Lane Changes and Distracted Drivers
Motorcycles have a smaller visual profile than passenger vehicles. Drivers still have a responsibility to check whether a lane is clear before moving over.
Common causes of Michigan motorcycle crashes can include:
- Unsafe lane changes
- Failure to check blind spots
- Texting or other distracted driving
- Running traffic signals
- Following too closely
- Speeding
- Impaired driving
- Failure to yield
- Unsafe turns
Dangerous Roads and Other Responsible Parties
Potholes, loose gravel, uneven pavement, construction areas, and roadway debris can create serious hazards for riders. A road defect that barely affects a car can destabilize a motorcycle.
Some accidents may involve more than one responsible party. Depending on the evidence, that could include a negligent driver, commercial vehicle operator, employer, contractor, or government entity. Claims involving public entities may have special requirements and deadlines.
Motorcycle Injuries Can Affect Every Part of Your Life
A motorcycle does not provide the physical protection of an enclosed vehicle. Even a collision at a moderate speed can cause substantial injuries.
Common motorcycle accident injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Broken or fractured bones
- Road rash and scarring
- Shoulder and knee injuries
- Nerve damage
- Internal injuries
- Amputations
- Orthopedic trauma
What Compensation May Be Available?
Depending on your injuries and the facts of the crash, you may be able to pursue compensation for certain losses. Those losses can extend well beyond immediate medical expenses.
A claim could involve:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Physical limitations
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Property damage
- Other losses allowed under Michigan law
What Should You Do After a Michigan Motorcycle Accident?
At the Scene
Call 911 and seek medical help when needed. If you can safely do so, gather information before vehicles and debris are moved.
Helpful steps can include:
- Photographing the vehicles and motorcycle
- Documenting vehicle positions
- Photographing skid marks and debris
- Capturing road and weather conditions
- Getting witness names and contact information
- Identifying nearby security cameras
- Photographing visible injuries
- Getting the other driver's insurance information
Protect Evidence Afterward
Keep your damaged helmet, jacket, gloves, boots, and other riding equipment. The motorcycle itself may also contain physical evidence about the collision.
Save your medical records, bills, receipts, insurance letters, and wage information. Avoid posting details about the crash or your recovery on social media. An insurance company may view public posts without the context behind them.
What If the Insurance Company Blames the Rider?
"The Motorcycle Must Have Been Speeding"
After a crash, another driver may claim the rider was speeding. That allegation should be tested against available evidence.
An investigation may examine:
- Vehicle damage
- Final resting positions
- Roadway markings
- Surveillance footage
- Dashcam or helmet-camera video
- Independent witnesses
- Electronic vehicle data
- Sight distances
- Accident reconstruction evidence
Michigan Comparative Fault Rules
Michigan uses comparative fault rules in personal injury cases. A rider's percentage of fault can affect the damages available.
Michigan law can also impose significant limits when an injured person is found more than 50 percent at fault. The exact effect depends on the damages being pursued and other facts of the case.
What About Michigan's Helmet Law?
Not wearing a helmet does not automatically establish who caused a collision. Michigan allows certain riders age 21 or older to ride without a helmet when statutory requirements are satisfied.
Helmet use and crash responsibility are separate questions. The facts of the collision still matter when determining who caused it.
What Does a Michigan Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Actually Do?
Building the Case Around Evidence
Motorcycle accident evidence can disappear quickly. Surveillance footage may be overwritten. Vehicles can be repaired, and witnesses can become harder to locate.
Depending on the case, we may examine:
- Police and emergency records
- Photographs and videos
- Witness accounts
- Medical documentation
- Insurance policies
- Roadway conditions
- Available vehicle data
- Employment and wage records
- Appropriate expert analysis
Dealing With Insurance Companies
Insurance adjusters investigate claims with the insurer's interests in mind. You should have someone looking at the situation from your side.
We can help evaluate coverage, respond to disputed fault, document losses, and review settlement proposals. When litigation becomes necessary, we can pursue the case through the court process.
You Run Point
Basketball taught Brandyn Mungo something that carries directly into practicing law. Good teams work best when everyone understands their role.
At Mungo Law, you run point. You deserve to know what is happening with your case and why. We handle the legal pressure while keeping you involved in decisions that affect your future.
That means direct communication, honest conversations, and strategies built around your situation. You are a person first, not a claim number.
Michigan Motorcycle Accident FAQs
Who pays my medical bills after a motorcycle accident?
Michigan has specific insurance rules for motorcyclists injured in crashes involving motor vehicles. The responsible source of applicable PIP benefits depends on the circumstances and available policies. Motorcycle coverage should be reviewed carefully rather than assuming ordinary car accident rules apply.
Can I recover compensation if I was partly at fault?
Possibly. Michigan's comparative fault rules can reduce available damages based on your percentage of responsibility. Greater levels of fault can also affect which damages are recoverable.
What if the driver who hit me was uninsured?
Other coverage may be available depending on the policies involved. Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage can be especially important in motorcycle cases. The policy language and facts need to be reviewed.
Can I bring a claim after a hit-and-run?
You may still have options after a hit-and-run motorcycle accident. Available insurance coverage and the facts surrounding the crash will matter. Report the collision promptly and preserve as much evidence as possible.
Does riding without a helmet prevent a claim?
Not automatically. Michigan permits qualifying adults to ride without a helmet under specific circumstances. Helmet use does not, by itself, determine who caused the crash.
What if a dangerous road caused my accident?
A dangerous road condition may raise questions about a government entity, contractor, or another responsible party. These claims can involve special notice rules and deadlines. Getting the circumstances reviewed promptly may be important.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident claim?
Different claims and insurance benefits can have different deadlines. Waiting can also make important evidence harder to obtain. Speak with a Michigan attorney about the deadlines that apply to your situation.
Your Recovery Deserves More Than a Case Number
After a serious motorcycle accident, getting your life back on track can become a full-time job. Medical appointments, missed work, damaged property, and insurance calls can pile up quickly. You should be able to ask questions and get answers that make sense.
Mungo Law serves injured riders in Wayne County, Oakland County, Genesee County, and communities throughout Michigan. We bring respect, transparency, and personal attention to every case we accept. Every case is different. Speak to a lawyer to understand your rights.
You Run Point. Let Mungo Law Handle the Legal Pressure.
If you were injured in a Michigan motorcycle accident, you may have rights to pursue compensation. Mungo Law can review what happened, identify insurance issues, and help determine what evidence should be preserved.
Your first conversation is about understanding your situation, not pressuring you into a decision. Free consultations are available, and all calls and correspondence are responded to within 24 hours.
Mungo Law, PLLC
Leonard "Brandyn" Mungo, Esq.
43000 W. 9 Mile Rd., Suite 301
Novi, MI 48375
Phone: (734) 837-3913
Email: bm@mungolawpc.com
Website: mungolawpc.com
LinkedIn: Brandyn Mungo
This content is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different. Speak to a lawyer to understand your rights.
Free consultation
One conversation is enough to know where you stand. It costs nothing, and you will speak with Brandyn.
Free Consultation734.837.3913In short
At Mungo Law, we represent injured people across Michigan, including Wayne, Oakland, and Genesee counties. We believe your case deserves respect, straight answers, and personal attention. If someone else's negligence caused your motorcycle accident, you may have rights worth protecting.
Related reading
Share this guide
