Michigan motorcycle accident lawyer explains why new bills are a terrible idea, especially after two recent, tragic motorcycle deaths in Waterford
Two motorcyclists died in separate motorcycle accidents in Waterford Township just this weekend. It is said alcohol was not a factor in the crashes.
Every time I write about motorcycle accidents and the helmet safety law in Michigan, I feel I probably lose gung-ho motorcyclists who have been injured in accidents but go to another lawyer who won’t talk about why our helmet law is so important. But so be it.
Look, I’ve probably handled more motorcycle accident personal injury cases than any other lawyer in Michigan, so I know a thing or two about the biker mentality toward our mandatory helmet law. And with Republicans now in control of the Legislature, Michigan Supreme Court, and governor’s office, it looks like 2011 will be the year the motorcycle helmet law in Michigan will be repealed.
Here’s why motorcycle accident lawyers believe the repeal of the motorcycle helmet law in Michigan is a bad idea:
There are many bikers and people like Rep. Richard LeBlanc, who say of the helmet law repeal, “it’s a personal liberty thing.” LeBlanc could not be more wrong. Motorcycle accident lawyers know this is dead-wrong, because we see the enormous costs of medical care for catastrophic traumatic brain injuries being shifted to the taxpayers and to Medicaid. Your “personal liberty” includes the public checkbook when a spinal cord or TBI injury occurs, which makes it a matter of “our liberty.” And as taxpayers, we should also have a say on the helmet law, since it will increase the costs of taking care of the increased numbers of injured motorcyclists.
LeBlanc, by the way, is the legislator whose proposal, HB 2008, would allow motorcycle riders aged 21 and older to go helmet-less if they carry at least $20,000 in personal injury insurance to cover medical costs in case they’re hurt in a motorcycle accident.
Twenty thousand dollars in personal injury insurance to cover medical costs is almost laughable. In the event of any serious motorcycle accident injury case, that $20,000 will be exhausted by the ER visit, with the rest of the costs for catastrophic care shifted to the taxpayers and Medicaid.
Your personal liberty to ride a motorcycle with the wind in your hair ends when it infringes on my personal liberty to be forced to pay your medical bills for the catastrophic traumatic brain injury you suffered for not wearing a motorcycle helmet to begin with.
Remember (as of now), Michigan is a No-Fault state. So even when another motorist causes a motorcycle accident, the person who causes the accident is only responsible for pain and suffering damages. Medical bills are paid by us (the taxpayers), if the motorcyclist does not have motorcycle personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. Because it is so expensive, very few motorcyclists have motorcycle PIP.
Helmet laws are simple: without one, motorcycle riders are more likely to suffer serious personal injuries and deaths from motorcycle crashes. There’s a reason that the groups like emergency room doctors, auto insurance companies and associations such as the Skilled Motorcycle Association and Responsible, Trained and Educated Riders Inc., oppose repeal of the helmet laws. All of these groups cite studies by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which estimates that hundreds of motorcycle riders’ lives would be saved each year if motorcyclists wear helmets.
Dan Petterson, CEO of SMARTER, says it best in a recent Detroit News article on the proposed law:
“It’s just radically unbelievable that we would be even considering repealing the helmet law. No. 1, more motorcyclists will die. No. 2, more motorcyclists will be severely injured. No. 3, it will cost all of us — according to the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning — $129 million a year in medical costs.”
We are thinking of the Waterford motorcyclists who lost their lives last weekend. And we urge Michigan bikers to always wear their helmets. Protect yourselves and help our attorneys prevent motorcycle accidents.
– Steven M. Gursten heads Michigan Auto Law. He received the highest motorcycle accident settlement in Michigan last year, according to Michigan Lawyers Weekly. He is recognized as one of the nation’s top motorcycle lawyers. Steve has spoken at trial seminars on motorcycle lawsuits, and is available for comment on Michigan’s motorcycle accident laws and personal injury cases.
Related information:
What to do after a motorcycle crash in Michigan
Insurance for Michigan motorcyclists
Current Michigan helmet laws for motorcycles
Michigan Auto Law is the largest law firm exclusively handling car accident, truck accident and motorcycle accident cases throughout the entire state. We have offices in Farmington Hills, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and Sterling Heights to better serve you. Call (248) 353-7575 for a free consultation with one of our motorcycle accident lawyers.
I ride. I will wear a helmet regardless of a law stating so. I say make the idiots who wish to ride without a helmet sign a disclaimer with their insurance company stating if they are involved in an accident that gives them ANY kind of injury to the unprotected head, the insurance company is not liable. Nor is anyone else. No medicaid or disability for a self inflicted/preventable injury. Then, let em ride with pride. done.
If your worried about health care going up and tax payers having to pay the bills why dont we start wearing them in cars they will save lives also.
If these people are so worried that my liberties will cost them money then all things that can cause medical problems should be outlawed. Why is smoking still legal. Look at the medical expenses caused by that. Why are all the many other things legal. We take chances every time we walk out of our house.
My queestion is: Why do I have to pay into the Michigan catastrophic fund on my insurance, but it will not pay unless
an automobile is involved in the accident?
If I wipe out with dirt on the road or an animal that survices and disapppears it will not pay. But we have to pay in. Why?
My question is: Why do I have to pay into the Michigan catastrophic fund on my insurance, but it will not pay unless
an automobile is involved in the accident?
If I wipe out with dirt on the road or an animal that survices and disapppears it will not pay. But we have to pay in. Why?
I think the people who are driving motorcycles, should be responsible for their own actions, & if their life isn’t protected with the use of a helmet, then how responsible is that? Taking chances shows only immaturity of the people on motorcycles, & they will suffer the consequences, as will any backseat rider.
You may not live to learn your lesson about the helmet, law or no law!
i agree with carl let them sign a waiver with the insurance company leaving no one liable for not wearing a helmet, I ride a motorcycle and personally would love to ride without a helmet BUT i enjoy my life and seeing and holding my kids so i say leave it a matter of personal choice
I am from Michigan, now living in Illinois. Look at any real scientific research and you will find that ditching the helmet law will make riders safer. It is cheaper to the general public and tourism will increase. Yes, you will have a few more fatalities, but off set that be the increase in ridership and it is easy to see that, per capita, safety is better. I won’t come to Michigan (or any other helmet state) to spend vacation money. Please research beyond the surface statements of uneducated people, make the logical choice, and I will be enjoying a long ride through the beautiful state.