When Should I Get A Lawyer For A Motorcycle Accident In Michigan?

In Michigan, you should get a lawyer after a motorcycle accident as soon as possible to help you hold at-fault drivers accountable and pursue full and fair compensation for your injuries, No-Fault benefits, medical bills, lost wages and earnings if your injuries prevent you from returning to work.

These cases are complicated, so the sooner you hire an experienced attorney who specializes in this area of law, the more likely you are to settle your case for the maximum amount possible. A seasoned lawyer who knows the ins and outs of motorcycle accident litigation will protect your legal rights by conducting a full investigation of the crash, gathering and preserving important evidence, determining liability, assessing your damages, negotiating with the insurance company, and, if necessary, taking your case to trial.

Our law firm is the state’s largest and most successful law firm specializing exclusively in automobile crashes. We have been fighting and winning million-dollar verdicts and settlements for riders and their families for 50 years. 

Insurance companies respect us because they know we will take a case to trial if they don’t make a full and fair settlement offer, which often results in bigger, faster settlements. And our clients love our client-focused approach. This is why our firm is regularly named among the Best Law Firms in America, and our attorneys are listed among the Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers.

An experienced Michigan motorcycle accident lawyer will:

• Take the pressure off – Dealing with the aftermath of a crash is overwhelming. Hiring a skilled advocate to answer your questions about the legal process, communicate with the insurance company, and advocate on your behalf, will take the pressure off of you, allowing you to focus on getting better.
• Investigate – A seasoned Michigan motorcycle accident lawyer will conduct an immediate and thorough investigation of the crash, ensuring critical evidence is gathered before it’s too late.
• Preserve evidence – An experienced Michigan motorcycle accident lawyer will send out “spoliation” letters, notifying the parties and others that critical evidence must be preserved.
• Fight for your No-Fault benefits – Your attorney will help ensure that you are receiving all of the No-Fault benefits (medical costs and lost wage) you’re entitled to in the aftermath of the cash.
• Determine fault – The attorney will determine who is at fault for the crash, including whether there was any “contributory negligence” on your part, which could reduce your overall compensation.
• Assess your damages – Your attorney will determine your damages, including future damages, and calculate the exact amount you should receive in a settlement.
• Verify insurance coverage – It’s important that your attorney verify insurance coverage and financial assets from the defendant(s) so that your settlement will be fully funded.
• Maximize your settlement – An experienced Michigan lawyer who specializes in motorcycle accidents is your best bet for a quick and lucrative settlement.
• Go to court, if necessary – A skilled attorney with a strong reputation will take your case to trial if the insurance company fails to make a reasonable offer that reflects full and fair compensation for your injuries.

If you were a rider involved in a crash, there are several steps you should take:

• Get prompt medical attention
• Call the police
• Get an experienced Michigan motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible!
• Don’t speak to anyone, including the insurance company, adjuster, or defense attorney, and don’t sign anything without consulting your attorney
• Submit your application for No-Fault benefits to your insurer in a timely manner
• Keep detailed records of your injuries

A highly respected Michigan motorcycle accident lawyer will offer a free, no-cost, no-obligation consultation to discuss your legal rights and options – meaning it costs you nothing to get expert legal advice and representation. If you decide to move forward, you won’t pay any fees unless your case is successful. 

There are no upfront costs or out-of-pocket expenses. 

All of our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, so you only pay if we win for you. We also back our services with a 100% client satisfaction guarantee.

Choosing the best Michigan lawyer for your motorcycle accident comes down to asking five key questions:

1. How many of these types of crash cases have you handled? – Actual experience matters. The more motorcycle accident cases a lawyer has handled in Michigan, the more specialized knowledge he or she has to help you win your case.
2. Do you specialize exclusively in this area of law? – Specialized knowledge is critical in these types of crash cases as there are a lot of moving parts. Hiring a legal representative who focuses his or her entire practice in this area of law ensures no stone will go unturned.
3. What is your track record in these cases? – It’s important to hire an attorney who not only wins a lot, but also one who wins big. The more million-dollar settlements and verdicts the legal professional has recovered, the more likely you are to get a settlement that reflects the true – and full – value of your case. 
4. What happens if the insurance company won’t settle? – If the insurance company won’t settle, or makes a low-ball offer, you need an attorney who is willing to push back and, if necessary, take your case to trial. An attorney with a reputation for doing this has a much better chance of getting you a bigger settlement in less time.
5. What do your past clients say about you? – An attorney’s reviews reveal a great deal. You should look for thousands of 5-star reviews from satisfied clients who rave about the attorney’s client-first approach, including answering questions and returning phone calls promptly.

Here’s why crash victims across the state trust us to fight for them:

• Experience – For over 50 years, our lawyers have been winning motorcycle accident cases across Michigan.
• Specialization – Every attorney at our firm focuses exclusively on automobile crashes. That means no distractions, just deep, specialized knowledge of the ins and outs of the cases that matter most to riders like you.
• Proven track record of winning – We have a proven track record of winning million-dollar verdicts and settlements for the riders and bikers who come to us for help after they have been injured in a crash. 
• Respected by insurance companies – Insurance adjusters know our reputation, and they know we’re not afraid to take your case to trial if a fair settlement isn’t offered. That credibility puts pressure on them from day one.
• 2,500+ 5-star reviews – Thousands of satisfied clients have praised our results, compassion, and relentless advocacy. We’re proud to be one of the state’s highest-rated personal injury law firms.
• Award-Winning Legal Team – Our attorneys have earned the most prestigious legal honors in the state, including: (1)  Best Law Firms in America, (2) Best Lawyers in America, and (3) Super Lawyers.

These vehicles account for slightly more than 3% of all vehicles on the road, but are involved in about 15% of all crash-related fatalities in the U.S. every year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Here are some facts about the danger of these types of vehicles:

• In 2022, 6,218 riders in the U.S. were killed in automobile crashes, which is the highest number in one year since 1975. (NHTSA)
• Also in 2022, the fatality rate for riders in the U.S. was “22 times the passenger car occupant fatality rate” and “36 times the fatality rate for light-truck occupants,” based on vehicle miles traveled. (NHTSA)
• More than 50% of all fatal crashes involve collisions between these vehicles and other vehicles like cars and trucks. (NHTSA)
• 77% of fatal motorbike crashes involve a car or truck striking the rider head-on, while 6% involve a car or truck rear-ending the bike. (NHTSA)
• 44% of fatal motorbike crashes involve a car or truck making a left turn while the bike was “going straight, passing, or overtaking other vehicles.” (NHTSA)
• In 2022, 35% of bikers involved in fatal crashes were speeding, compared to only 22% of passenger car drivers, 15% of light-truck drivers, and 6% of large truck drivers. (NHTSA)
• Also in 2022, 29% of riders killed in collisions with passenger vehicles in the U.S. were alcohol-impaired with a BAC of .08 g/dL or higher (NHTSA), compared to 42% in single-vehicle motorbike crashes, and 20% in multiple-vehicle crashes. (NHTSA)
• Helmets are 37% and 41% effective in preventing fatal injuries to riders and their passengers, respectively. (National Safety Council).
• Helmets saved an estimated 1,872 riders in 2017, which was the most current year for which data is available, and could have saved another 749 if they had been wearing helmets. (NHTSA)
• Between 2014 and 2023, motorbike crashes increased by 7.7%, from 2,934 to 3,161, while fatal crashes increased more than 57.2% during the same time, from 110 to 173. (Michigan Traffic Crash Facts)
• In 2023, motorbike riders were 21 times more likely than passenger-vehicle occupants to die in a car crash, based on vehicle miles traveled. (Michigan Traffic Crash Facts)
• Of the motorbike riders killed that year, 82.4% “were reported by police as ‘going straight ahead’ just prior to the crash.” (Michigan Traffic Crash Facts)
• Almost 30% (29.1%) of fatal motorbike crashes in 2023 “were the result of a had-been-drinking crash.” (Michigan Traffic Crash Facts)

If you or a loved one was a biker injured in a crash, call Michigan Auto Law now (800) 968-1001 for a free consultation with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer near you. There is no cost or obligation. You can also visit our contact page or use the chat feature on our website.

Our law firm is the state’s largest and most successful law firm that specializes exclusively in helping people who have been injured in automobile crashes.

Our secret? Our motorcycle accident lawyers 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 auto injury 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. Our law firm has recovered more million-dollar settlements and trial verdicts for automobile crashes than any other attorney or law firm in the state. We’ve also recovered the highest ever reported truck crash and car crash settlement in the state.

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