Michigan Motorcycle Accident Types

Insurance According to Common Scenarios

What insurance do you turn to if you are injured when riding a motorcycle in Michigan? Our motorcycle accident lawyers list the three most common scenarios:

Scenario No. 1: Motorcycle accident/no car or truck
If the motorcyclist is the sole person in the accident and, for example, loses control of the bike, falls or hits a tree, then she is not entitled to no-fault benefits because a motorcycle is not considered a “motor vehicle” according to the Michigan no-fault law. She may be entitled to separate motorcycle PIP if she paid for it on her policy.

Scenario No. 2: Motorcycle accident/pedestrian
The motorcyclist involved in a motorcycle accident with a pedestrian is not entitled to collect Michigan no-fault insurance benefits. Likewise, a pedestrian injured by a motorcycle is not entitled to no-fault benefits.

Scenario No. 3: Motorcycle accident/automobile
If the motorcyclist can show he was involved in an accident with an automobile while riding his motorcycle, he will be entitled to Michigan no-fault benefits. The biker will usually receive no-fault benefits (also called personal injury protection PIP benefits) from the insurer of the driver of the automobile involved in the crash, unless the automobile owner is uninsured.

However, there is an important exception under the Michigan no-fault law. An owner or registrant of a motorcycle involved in a motorcycle crash can be denied no- fault benefits if he holds legal title to the motorcycle, but does not have motorcycle insurance. This exception will not apply to other users. Furthermore, it will not affect the ability of a motorcyclist injured in a car or truck accident in Michigan to sue for injuries against the other driver involved in the accident.

Michigan Auto Law Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Help You

Michigan Auto Law has been exclusively handling automobile accident cases, including hundreds of motorcycle accident cases, for more than 50 years. We can help Michigan motorcycle accident victims and their family members better understand motorcycle insurance laws and what happens after someone has been seriously injured in a crash. If you have been in any kind of motorcycle accident, and would like to speak with a motorcycle accident lawyer directly, please call us at (800) 777-0028 for a free case evaluation.

Did our motorcycle accident lawyers answer all of your questions regarding insurance under different motorcycle accident scenarios? If not, please contact us and an attorney will respond within one business day.