Bicycle Car Accident Settlement: What You Need To Know

In Michigan, your bicycle car accident settlement amount will depend on the following important factors: (1) the extent and duration of your injuries; (2) how these injuries affect your pre-crash normal life (3) the reputation of your lawyer; and (4) how clear the liability (negligence) was of the at-fault driver.

To get the best possible amount, you will need an attorney with the experience, skill, and proven results to fight for you.

Find out how much your Michigan bicycle car accident settlement is worth and by checking out our calculator or call us toll free anytime 24/7 at (800) 968-1001 for a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.

Average Michigan bicycle car accident settlement amounts

There is no public or private entity – at either the state or the national level – that collects, updates, reports and/or publishes data about the average amount a case settles for in Michigan.  

But even if there was, information about the “average” amount would be of little value to you because it would fail to take into account your specific injuries, their specific impact on your life and lifestyle and other settlement factors that are unique to you, your injuries and your case.

Key factors that affect the value of your case

There are several key factors that affect the value of your Michigan bicycle car accident settlement: (1) the extent and duration of your injuries; (2) your prognosis; (3) whether you eventually made a full recovery; (4) whether you were able to return to work or whether you are partially or fully disabled from working; (5) whether you were disabled from engaging in other important non-work-related pre-accident activities; and (6) whether your injuries have resulted in an impairment that affects your ability to lead your normal life, which is the threshold that crash victims must meet under Michigan’s auto law to recover a lump sum cash payout or verdict for pain and suffering and excess economic loss. 

Other factors that could affect the value of your Michigan bicycle car accident settlement include:

• Your current and future medical needs based on your medical diagnosis, type of injury, duration of symptoms, duration of injury-related impairment and duration of treatment
• Whether your injuries will necessitate “excess” coverage for present and future medical bills and lost wages
• The experience, track record and reputation of your lawyer (attorneys who are known by insurance companies for being willing to go to trial can actually settle cases for more money and often much faster)
• The auto insurance company, adjuster and defense attorney for the at-fault driver of the car that caused your accident 
• The at-fault driver’s liability insurance coverage limits 
• Your coverage limits for “uninsured motorist” and “underinsured motorist” insurance

What do I get if I settle?

In Michiagan, your bicycle car accident settlement may allow you to recover pain and suffering compensation – if you have suffered a “serious impairment of body function” – as well as “excess” lost wages and “excess” medical expenses, and other economic damages.

Pain and suffering damage provides compensation for your: (1) physical pain and suffering; (2) mental anguish; (3) fright and shock; (4) denial of social pleasure and enjoyments; (5) embarrassment, humiliation or mortification; and (6) shame, mental pain and anxiety.

Excess lost wages covers the amount of your lost wages that are excess of and, thus, not covered by No-Fault wage loss benefits (which are available for only three years after the accident and are subject to a monthly maximum amount). 

Excess medical expenses are your medical care bills that exceed and, thus, are not covered by the No-Fault PIP medical benefits coverage level that was selected in the auto insurance policy through which you are claiming No-Fault benefits.

What is the value of my Michigan bicycle car accident settlement?

A key factor in determining how much you will be able to get for your case is the amount of liability insurance coverage that the at-fault driver who caused the crash is carrying on his or her vehicle.

Under Michigan’s auto law, all drivers must carry liability insurance coverage with the following minimum limits:

• “[N]ot less than $250,000.00 because of bodily injury to or death of 1 person in any 1 accident.” (MCL 500.3101(1); 500.3131(2); 500.3009(1)(a))

• “[N]ot less than $500,000.00 because of bodily injury to or death of 2 or more persons in any 1 accident.” (MCL 500.3101(1); 500.3131(2); 500.3009(1)(b))

The law also provides that a driver “may choose to purchase lower limits” of $50,000 and $100,000. (MCL 500.3009(5)

How long does a case take to settle?

Because every case is unique, it is difficult to say how long your Michigan bicycle car accident settlement will take. However, the following factors will come into play: (1) your injuries, prognosis and current future medical needs; (2) whether you are partially or fully disabled from working; (3) whether your injuries resulted in an impairment that affects your ability to lead your normal life; (4) whether your injuries will necessitate “excess” coverage for medical bills and lost wages; (5) the experience, track record and reputation of your attorney (attorneys known for going to trial can settle cases for money and often much faster); (6) the at-fault driver’s auto insurance company, adjuster, defense attorney; and (7) the at-fault driver’s liability insurance policy limits.

When could a Michigan bicycle car accident settlement occur?

There are three stages of a case that a lump sum cash payout occur:

• Pre-lawsuit
• After a lawsuit has been filed
• During trial 

Want a free consultation with a lawyer? Call Michigan Auto Law

If you are a bicyclist and you have been injured in a bike crash with a motor vehicle, you can call toll free anytime 24/7 at (800) 968-1001 for a free consultation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys to discuss your Michigan bicycle car accident settlement. Contact us here to get help from an experienced attorney or you can use the chat feature on our website.