Motorcycle And A Car Accident In Michigan: What’s The Difference?
In Michigan, the difference between motorcycle and car accidents includes: (1) the heightened fatality risk for motorcyclists; (2) the increased vulnerability to injury that is inherent to riding; (3) the availability of No-Fault benefits; and (4) the requirements for claiming pain and suffering compensation.
A motorcycle and a car accident pose different dangers
The most significant difference between these types of crashes is the danger posed to the people involved:
- Nationally – Motorcyclists were 28 and 27 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to be killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2018 and 2017, respectively, according to NHTSA.
- Michigan – Motorcyclists were nearly 17 times more likely than vehicle occupants overall to be killed in an automobile crash in 2019, based on data from Michigan Traffic Crash Facts.
Different fatality rates
A motorcycle and a car accident each have different fatality rates. The fatality rate for motorcyclists in 2017 was 6 times the fatality rate for passenger car occupants, based on registered vehicles.
There is a difference between the volume of crashes for each crash type
Motorcyclists accounted for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities, even though they made up only 3% of all registered vehicles in the U.S. in 2017.
Likelihood of injuries in a motorcycle and a car accident in Michigan
Because they lack the protection that the steel, crash-tested frame of a car or truck provides to drivers and vehicle occupants, motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to injury – both fatal and non-fatal – if and when they are involved in a crash with another automobile.
Not only can they be struck in the head or body by a motor vehicle, but the force of the collision may cause motorcyclists to be thrown off their bike.
The risk that motorcyclists face is evidenced by the significantly higher fatality rates they face.
No-Fault benefits apply differently to motorcycle and car accidents in Michigan
If a motorcyclist is injured in a crash that does not involve another motor vehicle, then Michigan’s No-Fault auto insurance law does not apply and, thus, no No-Fault benefits for medical bills and lost wages will be available. No-Fault benefits are available only in crashes involving motorcyclists and automobiles.
Pain and suffering claims are different for each type of crash
If a motorcyclist is injured in a crash where the driver of the automobile was at-fault, the motorcyclist must show he or she suffered a “serious impairment of body function” in order to sue for pain and suffering. However, the same requirement does not apply if the motorcyclist was at-fault.
Jurors often have different perspectives about each type of crash
Unfortunately, in Michigan, the experience of many motorcyclists is that when they go to court after they have been injured, jurors have different perspectives on a motorcycle and a car accident. Due to misinformation, jurors frequently and wrongly assume the motorcyclist was being “reckless” and blame them for their injuries.
Injured in a crash and need legal help? Call the attorneys at Michigan Auto Law now for a free consultation!
If are a motorcyclist who has been injured in a Michigan automobile crash and would like to speak to an experienced attorney, call now (800) 968-1001 for a free consultation with an experienced motorcycle 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.
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 2,500 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 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.
(Sources: NHTSA, “Traffic Safety Facts – Motorcycles – 2017 Data,” published August 2019; Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, “Fact Sheets,” “Motorcycles,” 2019; Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, Statewide Reports, “Quick Facts” and Vehicle/Driver, “Michigan Motorcycle Crashes,” 2019)
Last updated: