Bicycling along Michigan’s roads offers freedom and fitness, yet it also comes with risks, particularly from inattentive drivers. Tragically, in 2022 alone, 36 bicyclists were killed in Michigan, highlighting the stark reality of bicycle safety.
Moreover, there were 1,340 reported bicycle-involved accidents that year, many resulting in serious injuries such as head and traumatic brain injuries, fractures, and even fatalities.
Unlike motorists, bicyclists are exposed to direct impacts without the protective barriers of a vehicle, making each collision potentially life-altering.
Ensuring safety on bike rides is paramount, but when a careless driver compromises your well-being, the consequences can be profound and lasting. Securing proficient legal representation is crucial to guiding the aftermath and seeking rightful compensation during these challenging times.
The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm attorneys are dedicated to providing empathetic, effective advocacy to help you recover the compensation you need and deserve. Contact us for a complimentary consultation to discuss how we can support your journey to justice and healing.
Why Opt for Our Michigan Bicycle Accident Attorneys
Each year, numerous bicyclists suffer injuries or even fatalities due to collisions with motor vehicles. Experiencing a bicycle accident can be traumatic, but with the right legal guidance, you can smoothly traverse the complexities of insurance claims to secure deserved compensation.
Our skilled bicycle accident lawyers in Michigan can handle negotiations, ensuring you are adequately compensated for your injuries and losses.
Here’s how our expert bicycle accident attorney can assist you in obtaining compensation for:
Medical Costs:
Normally, your private health insurance kicks in if you sustain injuries while bicycling. However, if a motor vehicle is involved, you might be entitled to additional coverage.
Under Michigan’s no-fault insurance, you’re eligible for benefits regardless of whether you were inside a car during the accident. These benefits can supplement your health insurance, covering gaps in medical costs.
If you don’t own a car and lack no-fault auto insurance, the motorist’s insurance may still cover your medical expenses.
Bicycle Replacement
Often, a collision with a motor vehicle may damage your bicycle beyond repair. While no-fault insurance addresses injuries, homeowners’ insurance might cover your bicycle.
However, if the value of your bicycle exceeds your policy limits, consider discussing additional coverage options with your insurance agent. If your insurance falls short, your attorney can pursue compensation from the at-fault driver, whether through small claims or a larger civil lawsuit.
Additional Damages
Michigan’s no-fault policies typically cover 85 percent of lost wages for up to three years, along with certain care-related expenses. Moreover, you may claim damages for pain and suffering directly from the at-fault driver.
These non-economic damages aim to compensate for the psychological and physical distress caused by the accident. Consulting with a Michigan bicycle accident lawyer is crucial to explore all potential claims, including compensation for losing biking ability or the costs associated with alternative transportation needs during recovery.
Legal Representation
Given the likelihood of severe injuries and complex insurance scenarios in bicycle accidents, having an expert legal team is vital. The attorneys at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, with over 20 years of experience in bicycle accident cases, offer the specialized knowledge needed to manage these challenging claims.
They are dedicated to helping you recover so you can resume your life and passion for cycling.
How Does Our Michigan Bicycle Accident Law Firm Work on Contingency
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident, one of your main concerns may be: How much does a bicycle accident lawyer cost? Many people worry that hiring an attorney is expensive, but we’re here to put your mind at ease.
At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, you won’t pay any fees unless we win your case. There are no upfront costs or out-of-pocket expenses.
Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if you receive compensation.
Hiring a lawyer is not just affordable—it’s beneficial. Studies show that individuals represented by attorneys recover more compensation than those who handle claims on their own.
With our team of experienced bicycle accident attorneys, you’ll get expert legal guidance without any financial risk.
We’ll manage every aspect of your case, from dealing with insurance companies to ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve. While you focus on healing, we’ll take care of the rest. We’re also available to answer any questions you have about the process, legalities, insurance, or any other concerns.
Michigan’s Passing Distance Requirements for Cyclists
In Michigan, bicycles are legally recognized as vehicles, granting cyclists the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers.
State law mandates that drivers maintain a minimum distance of 3 feet when passing bicyclists. However, some cities within Michigan have taken further steps to enhance cyclist safety.
Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Grand Rapids, and Muskegon have specific ordinances requiring a passing distance of 5 feet, offering additional protection to cyclists in these areas.
How to navigate risks and embrace safety measures:
Both motorists and cyclists can pose risks on the road. Common hazards include driving under the influence, distraction due to mobile phone use, speeding, and general disregard for traffic laws.
Such behaviors significantly increase the likelihood of accidents involving cyclists.
To mitigate these risks, cyclists are encouraged to adopt several safety practices:
- Helmet Use: Although Michigan law does not require bicyclists to wear helmets, wearing one is crucial. It is the most effective measure a cyclist can take to prevent severe injuries in the event of an accident.
- Visibility: Wearing fluorescent clothing during the day and reflective attire at night can make cyclists more visible to other road users.
- Bike Lights: Installing lights on bicycles not only complies with legal requirements but also greatly improves safety for nighttime riding.
By understanding local laws and adopting proactive safety measures, cyclists and drivers can contribute to safer roads and a more harmonious sharing of the road space.
Who Pays in a Bicycle Accident?
Regarding car insurance claims in Michigan, particularly for accidents involving bicyclists, the responsibility for payment depends on the nature of the claim and the insurance policies involved. Here’s how the responsibility is typically determined:
- Primary Insurance Coverage: If the injured bicyclist has a no-fault insurance policy, their insurer is primarily responsible for covering the claims. This applies regardless of whether the bicyclist’s vehicle was involved in the crash.
- Secondary Insurance Coverage: In cases where the bicyclist does not have personal no-fault insurance but resides with a family member who does the relative’s insurer will be responsible for the claims. This could include policies held by a spouse, parent, or sibling.
- Tertiary Insurance Support through MACP: If neither the injured party nor resident relatives have no-fault insurance, the claim can be filed with the Michigan Assigned Claims Facility (MACP). This facility will assign an insurance provider, such as Allstate, AAA Insurance, or Farmers, to handle the payments for medical bills and lost wages.
Managing these insurance claims, especially after a bicycle accident, can be complicated. Consulting with a proficient Michigan bicycle accident attorney can streamline the MACP application process and help ensure that all appropriate benefits are received.
Exploring Common Types of Bicycle Accidents in Michigan
Michigan’s growing bicycle community has seen an uptick in traffic incidents, especially in high-density areas like Detroit and Grand Rapids. At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, our experienced team is well-versed in handling various bicycle accident cases across the state.
We provide expert legal guidance and representation, aiming to support our clients through complex claims and legal proceedings.
Key Bicycle Accident Scenarios We Handle Include:
- Doorings: These accidents often occur in urban settings. A car passenger unknowingly opens a door in a cyclist’s path, potentially causing the cyclist to crash into the door or swerve hazardously into traffic.
- Rear-end Collisions: These accidents happen when a vehicle or another cyclist crashes into the back of a bicycle, leading to potential injuries or worse for the cyclist involved.
- Right Hook Collisions: A common urban accident where a vehicle overtakes a cyclist from the left only to make a sudden right turn, cutting off the cyclist’s path.
- Intersection Accidents: These involve cyclists at intersections, where failure to yield or misjudged crossing speeds can lead to collisions.
- Right Cross Incidents: These occur when a vehicle pulls out from a side street or driveway to the right, striking a cyclist or forcing them into dangerous maneuvers.
- Left Cross Incidents: Similar to right cross, but involving a vehicle making a left turn across the cyclist’s forward path, often leading to direct collisions.
- Sideswipe Incidents: These happen when a driver misjudges their distance from a cyclist while overtaking and clips the cyclist, potentially causing them to lose control.
- Wrong-Way Riding Accidents: Cyclists riding against traffic flow face increased risks of head-on collisions and more severe injuries.
Key Elements of a Bicycle Accident Claim in Michigan
Even without a citation, Mary’s failure to yield cannot be excused by the reduced visibility caused by the barriers or adverse weather conditions. In situations where negligence per se is not applicable, Michigan bicycle accident lawyers turn to the doctrine of ordinary negligence.
This principle requires the following four elements to be proven:
- Duty of Care: All drivers must exercise reasonable care on the road. This means they must drive defensively and take necessary precautions to avoid collisions. Commercial drivers, such as delivery drivers, may be held to an even higher standard of care due to their professional responsibilities.
- Breach of Duty: A breach occurs when a driver fails to act reasonably prudently. Examples include failure to yield the right of way, speeding, tailgating, or driving while impaired by substances or medical conditions. Driver error, whether intentional or accidental, is a factor in nearly all motor vehicle collisions in Michigan.
- Causation: There must be a direct connection between the driver’s breach of duty and the cyclist’s injuries or damages. Furthermore, the injury must be a foreseeable consequence of the breach.
- Damages: To pursue compensation, the cyclist must have experienced some form of loss, whether physical injury, property damage, or emotional distress in certain cases. In some instances, even extreme emotional trauma from a near-miss can be grounds for compensation.
Utilizing the principles of negligence, Michigan bicycle accident attorneys help victims recover the compensation they deserve, ensuring their injuries and damages are acknowledged and addressed.
Get Expert Help for Your Michigan Bicycle Accident Claim!
At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, we specialize in Michigan bicycle accident cases, particularly involving personal injury and wrongful death.
Suppose you or someone you care about has been injured in a bicycle collision with a vehicle. In that case, our experienced attorneys are ready to fight for the compensation and justice you deserve.
Dealing with insurance companies can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. Our team will guide you through the process, ensuring your rights are protected and you receive fair compensation.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Contact us today at (616) 612-2707 to initiate a thorough review of your situation and start the journey toward obtaining the justice and recovery you deserve. We work on a contingency basis, so you pay nothing unless we win your case. Let us help you get back on track.
