Car Bike Accident In Michigan: What To Do After A Crash

Being involved in a car and bike accident in Michigan can be overwhelming and confusing — especially when you’re unsure what steps to take next. Whether you were the driver or the cyclist, knowing what to do immediately after the crash is essential for your safety, protecting your rights, and preserving your ability to recover compensation. This guide explains exactly what to do after a car bike accident in Michigan, from calling the police and seeking medical attention to reporting the crash and contacting an experienced attorney.

• Move to safety and check for injuries: Get yourself and others out of traffic and assess injuries right away.
• Call 911 and file a police report: Always involve law enforcement so there’s an official record of the crash.
• Exchange contact and insurance information: Get names, phone numbers, driver’s license details, and insurance information from everyone involved.
• Take photos and gather evidence: Photograph vehicle and bike damage, road conditions, traffic signs, and visible injuries.
• Seek medical attention immediately: Even if you feel fine, some injuries appear later—get evaluated by a doctor.
• Notify your insurance company: Report the crash promptly and provide accurate details about what happened.
• Consult lawyer: Our attorneys can help navigate no-fault laws and pursue fair compensation.

You may recover pain and suffering compensation (along with excess medical expenses and lost wages) from the at‑fault driver if your injuries satisfy the “serious impairment of body function” threshold. (MCL 500.3135(1) and (5)) Your recovery will generally be limited by the at‑fault driver’s liability insurance and you typically have three years from the crash date to file. (MCL 600.5805(2))

Key points:

• Serious injury required: You must prove your injuries caused a major change in your daily activities or quality of life.
• Negligence matters: The driver must be at least partially at fault for the crash.
• Evidence helps: Medical records, witness statements, and photos can support your claim.
• Time limits apply: You generally have three years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit for pain and suffering. (MCL 600.5805(2))
• Legal guidance is crucial: Our lawyer can evaluate your case and help pursue non-economic damages.

Excess medical expenses and excess lost wages cover those medical bills and wages whose amounts exceed what is covered under the applicable auto insurance policy and/or what is guaranteed to injured bicyclists under the No-Fault law. 

After a car bike accident in Michigan, your recovery for pain and suffering compensation and excess medical expenses and lost wages will largely be limited to the amount of liability insurance coverage that the at-fault driver has in his or her third party auto insurance policy.

Injured passengers have three years after the date of a crash to file their claims for pain and suffering compensation. (MCL 600.5805(2))

After a car bike accident in Michigan, injured bicyclists can receive No-Fault PIP (Personal Injury Protection) benefits, which help cover medical costs, lost income, and daily support regardless of who caused the crash. Filing a No-Fault application within one year gives access to essential coverages that protect your health and financial stability, including:

• Medical expenses: Coverage for hospital bills, rehabilitation, therapy, and other necessary medical care.
• Lost wages: Compensation for income you lose if your injuries prevent you from working.
• Transportation costs: Reimbursement for travel to and from medical appointments.
• Household replacement services: Payment for help with daily chores or tasks you can’t perform due to your injuries.
• Attendant care services: Compensation for in-home nursing or personal care provided by professionals or family members.

Filing requirement:

To receive these benefits after a car bike accident in Michigan, you must file an Application for No-Fault Benefits (written notice of injury) with the responsible auto insurance company within one year of the crash under MCL 500.3145(1) and (4). Missing this deadline can cause your claim to be denied permanently, so filing on time is critical.

After a car bike accident in Michigan, an injured bicyclist’s No-Fault benefits are paid by an auto insurance company according to our states No-Fault order of priority rules. These rules determine which insurer is responsible for covering your medical and wage-loss benefits.

Who pays No-Fault benefits:

• Your own auto insurance company: If you have a No-Fault policy on your personal vehicle, your insurer pays your benefits. (MCL 500.3114(1); 500.3115)
• Your spouse’s insurance company: If you don’t have your own policy but your spouse does, their insurer will provide coverage. (MCL 500.3114(1); 500.3115)
• A resident relative’s insurance company: If neither you nor your spouse have coverage, the insurer of a relative you live with may be responsible. (MCL 500.3114(1); 500.3115)
• The Michigan Assigned Claims Plan (MACP): If none of the above apply, you can file a claim through the MACP, which assigns an insurer to handle your benefits when no other No-Fault coverage is available. (MCL 500.3115)

If you are injured bicyclist in a car bike accident in Michigan, the medical coverage available for you to pay your medical bills after a crash will depend on – and be limited by – the No-Fault PIP medical benefits coverage level that was selected in the policy through which the bicyclist is claiming No-Fault benefits. (MCL 500.3107c(5); 500.3107d(5))

Starting in policies issued or renewed after July 1, 2020, the applicable No-Fault medical coverage level will be one of the following:

• $50,000 for crash-related medical expenses (when the named insured on the policy is “enrolled in Medicaid”) (MCL 500.3107c(1)(a))
• $250,000 for crash-related medical expenses (MCL 500.3107c(1)(b))
• $500,000 for on crash-related medical expenses (MCL 500.3107c(1)(c))
• Unlimited or no dollar-amount limit for crash-related medical expenses (MCL 500.3107c(1)(d))
• No No-Fault coverage for automobile crash-related medical expenses (Medicare/Opt-out): This occurs when the named insured on the policy has Medicare and has exercised his or her right to opt-out of No-Fault PIP medical benefits coverage altogether (MCL 500.3107d(1))

No-Fault medical coverage for injured bicyclists through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan is capped at $250,000. (MCL 500.3172(7)(a))

How can the attorneys Michigan Auto Law help after a car bike accident?

The attorneys at Michigan Auto Law can guide and advocate for bicyclists after a car bike accident, ensuring you receive the benefits and compensation you’re entitled to under state law. We handle the complex insurance and legal processes so you can focus on recovery.

How we can help:

• File No-Fault PIP claims: We prepare and submit your application to ensure medical bills, lost wages, and care services are covered.
• Determine the responsible insurer: We will navigate our state’s priority rules to make sure the correct insurance company pays your benefits.
• Handle disputes with insurance companies: We aggressively negotiate with insurers to prevent claim denials or underpayments.
• Evaluate serious injury claims: If your injuries meet the “serious impairment” threshold, we can help pursue pain and suffering or other non-economic damages.
• Meet deadlines and protect your rights: We ensure all forms, notices, and claims are filed on time to avoid losing benefits.
• Provide legal representation in lawsuits: If needed, we will represent you in court to secure fair compensation for injuries, damages, and long-term impacts.

We act as an advocate and guide you through our state’s auto and personal injury laws, maximizing your recovery after a crash.

If you are an injured bicyclist in a car bike crash in Michigan, call now (800) 968-1001 for a free consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer. There is no cost or obligation. You can also visit our contact page or use the chat feature on our website.

Michigan Auto Law is Michigan’s largest and most successful law firm that specializes exclusively in helping people who have been injured in automobile crashes.

Our secret? Our attorneys deliberately handle fewer cases than other personal injury law firms.  This allows us to focus more time and attention on our cases.

Unlike other law firms, our attorneys are never too busy to promptly return phone calls and answer questions. 

We have more than 3,000 5-Star reviews that reflect this care and attention to detail.

More importantly, this client-focused approach leads to better and faster settlements for our clients. Michigan Auto Law has recovered more million-dollar settlements and trial verdicts for motor vehicle crashes than any other lawyer or law firm in Michigan. We’ve also recovered the highest ever reported truck crash and auto crash settlement in the state.

Call now so we can start making a real difference for you.