Michigan Fatal Bicycle Accidents: Know Your Legal Rights

People who have lost loved ones in a fatal bicycle accident in Michigan may be able to recover wrongful death damages from the at-fault driver of the car or truck who caused the crash. They may also be able to recover No-Fault survivor’s loss benefits from the responsible auto insurance company.

Wrongful death damages for a fatal bicycle accident in Michigan

The dependents and family of a person who was killed in a fatal bicycle accident in Michigan may be able to sue the at-fault driver of the car or truck who caused the crash for damages under the wrongful death act. 

A wrongful death lawsuit, which must be brought by the personal representative of the deceased bicyclist’s estate, allows for the recovery of compensation for the bicyclist’s pain and suffering as well as damages for his or her dependents’ loss of financial support and loss of society and companionship.

Liability insurance

The liability insurance coverage of the at-fault driver of the car or truck that caused the fatal bicycle accident in Michigan will help pay for the wrongful death damages that the at-fault driver is ultimately determined to be liable for.

Generally, Michigan law requires all Michigan drivers to 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)

However, if the vehicle being driven by the at-fault driver who caused the deadly crash was an Uber or Lyft or a truck or commercial vehicle, then the liability insurance coverage limits may be higher. 

Settlements after a fatal bicycle accident in Michigan

One of the most important factors in determining how much a settlement might be a deadly crash is the lawyer who represents the dependents and family members who lost a loved one in a deadly crash.

Insurance companies use claims software such as the Colossus personal injury calculator to evaluate exposure and risk for automobile crashes. Having an experienced lawyer with an established history of successful settlements and trial verdicts can increase a settlement by 3 to 4 times more.

The attorney whom you choose to hire matters because attorneys who are known for going to trial can settle cases for significantly more money and often much faster.

No-Fault benefits after a fatal bicycle accident in Michigan

The dependents and family members of a bicyclist whose life was lost in a Michigan fatal bicycle accident may be entitled to recover financial support through “survivors loss benefits” under Michigan’s No-Fault law.

To make a claim for survivor’s loss benefits, an application for No-Fault benefits must be filed with the responsible auto insurance within ONE YEAR from the date of the crash. (MCL 500.3145(1)) 

Failure to file on time – within ONE YEAR of the deadly crash – will forever disqualify dependents and family from claiming survivor’s loss benefits. 

What auto insurance company pays No-Fault survivors loss benefits?

The dependents and family members of a bicyclist whose life was lost in a automobile crash will recover No-Fault survivors loss benefits from one of the following sources in accordance with the No-Fault law’s “priority” rules: 

• The deceased bicyclist’s own No-Fault auto insurance company which issued the policy for his or her own personal motor vehicle in which the bicyclist is the named insured. (MCL 500.3114(1); 500.3115)
• The No-Fault auto insurance company that issued a policy to the deceased bicyclist’s spouse on his or her own motor vehicle. (MCL 500.3114(1); 500.3115)
• The No-Fault auto insurance company that issued a policy to a resident relative of the deceased bicyclist on his or her own motor vehicle. (MCL 500.3114(1); 500.3115)
• The Michigan Assigned Claims Plan if No-Fault coverage is not available through any of the sources above. (MCL 500.3115) The Michigan Assigned Claims Plan assigns companies to handle No-Fault claims for people injured in crashes who have no other source of No-Fault coverage.

Protecting your family’s rights

Consulting with an experienced lawyer is one of the first and most important things that dependents and family members can do after a fatal bicycle accident in Michigan. A lawyer can help:

• Ensure that dependents and family members get all of the benefits and compensation they are entitled to such as wrongful death damages which may include funeral and burial expenses and survivor’s loss benefits.
• Protect grieving dependents and family members from being taken advantage of by misrepresentations made by an insurance company for an at-fault negligent driver – which happens far too often because Michigan’s refusal to enact bad faith laws.

Lost a loved one in a fatal bicycle accident in Michigan? Call the attorneys at Michigan Auto Law now for a free consultation

If you lost a loved one in fatal bicycle accident in Michigan, call now (800) 968-1001 for a free consultation with an experienced bicycle 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 auto accidents.

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

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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 accidents than any other lawyer or law firm in Michigan. We’ve also recovered the highest ever reported truck accident and car accident settlement in the state.

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