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Michigan Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
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A serious motorcycle crash can change your life before you have time to process what happened. One moment, you were riding. Next, you may be in an emergency room, facing surgery, missed work, pain, and calls from an insurance adjuster who wants a recorded statement.
Michigan motorcyclists face legal issues that car drivers usually do not. Under the Michigan No-Fault Act, motorcycles are treated differently from cars and trucks. That affects personal injury protection benefits, the order of priority, property damage claims, and which insurance company must pay after a crash.
You need a motorcycle accident lawyer who gives injured riders clear answers and serious representation. Our firm has handled approximately 10,000 cases, with motor vehicle accidents as a core part of our work. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Michigan, we can help you understand what coverage applies, what deadlines are already running, and what steps to take before signing anything.
Why Choose Harris Altman, PC for Your Michigan Motorcycle Accident Case
After a motorcycle crash, you need a law firm that understands how Michigan motorcycle cases work, how no-fault benefits apply to injured riders, and how insurance companies try to limit what they pay.
You should not have to chase your lawyer while you are recovering. Our attorneys and staff answer questions, explain the process, and keep cases moving with the seriousness injured riders deserve.
Client Testimonials
“I cannot say enough about Brad Harris and his team. They helped me through some rough years and I thank all of them for their compassion and patience. I will highly recommend them to anyone who may need their help.” — Cheryl G.
“From the very first call to your firm, I’ve had nothing but positive experiences. Mr. Brett Altman, thank you for having compassion, being down to earth and yet professional at the same time. Thank you for doing a grand job on my behalf!” — Andrea M.
“Brad Harris kept in touch, and never gave up. Five years later, he is now considered family. I would refer anyone to him as a lawyer.” — Carmen F.
Meet Your Michigan Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
We Handle Motor Vehicle Accident Cases Every Day
Motor vehicle accidents are one of the main focuses of our practice. A motorcycle accident lawyer in Michigan should understand both sides of the claim:
- The no-fault side, which may involve PIP benefits for medical bills, wage loss, attendant care, replacement services, and related expenses
- The third-party liability side, which may involve pain and suffering, excess wage loss, future damages, and other losses caused by the at-fault driver
We handle both sides under one roof. Injured riders do not have to manage separate insurance and liability issues alone.
We Are Ready to File Lawsuits That Other Firms Will Not
Some personal injury firms build their process around quick settlement. That approach can leave an injured rider exposed when the insurer disputes fault, delays PIP benefits, questions the order of priority, or offers far less than the case supports.
We prepare cases for litigation when the facts call for it. If the insurer refuses to value the case fairly, we are willing to file suit.
Motorcycle cases often involve insurer bias, disputed liability, helmet-law arguments, PIP coordination problems, and low offers made before the full medical picture is known.
We work on a contingency fee. You do not pay attorney’s fees upfront, and you do not owe attorney’s fees unless your case results in a recovery. The initial consultation is free.
Michigan Motorcycle Accident Law: What Makes Motorcycle Cases Different
Michigan motorcycle accident law is different because the No-Fault Act does not treat motorcycles the same way it treats cars and trucks.
Under MCL 500.3101, the No-Fault Act’s definition of “motor vehicle” excludes motorcycles. That affects PIP benefits, the order of priority, and how insurers decide who must pay after a crash.
For a car driver, PIP usually starts with that person’s own auto insurer. For a motorcyclist, the answer often depends on whether the crash shows evidence of the involvement of a motor vehicle, such as a car, truck, SUV, or van.
When a motor vehicle is involved, Michigan’s motorcycle PIP priority rule may make an auto insurer responsible for benefits. If no motor vehicle was involved, traditional no-fault PIP benefits may not apply in the same way, and the rider’s available recovery may depend on other insurance coverage and liability claims.
The wrong insurer may deny the claim. The right insurer may argue it is not first in line. Meanwhile, medical bills and wage loss continue to grow. A Michigan motorcycle accident attorney can identify the proper coverage, send written notice, pursue unpaid benefits, and build the claim against the driver who caused the crash.
Why Michigan Treats Motorcycles Differently From Cars
Michigan law classifies motorcycles separately from cars for no-fault purposes. That classification affects:
- How medical benefits are claimed
- Whether PIP applies
- Which insurer must pay first
- How property damage is handled
- Whether the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan may become involved
Michigan’s mini-tort rule applies to motor vehicles, and motorcycles are treated differently under the No-Fault Act. For many riders, motorcycle damage is handled through collision coverage, the at-fault driver’s liability coverage, or a separate property-damage claim.
When the No-Fault Act Still Reaches Motorcycle Crashes
Even though motorcycles are treated differently under the No-Fault Act, injured riders may still qualify for PIP benefits when the accident shows evidence of the involvement of a motor vehicle.
Under MCL 500.3114, the motorcycle PIP order of priority generally moves through these insurers:
- The insurer of the owner or registrant of the motor vehicle involved in the accident
- The insurer of the operator of the motor vehicle involved in the accident
- The motor vehicle insurer of the operator of the motorcycle involved in the accident
- The motor vehicle insurer of the owner or registrant of the motorcycle involved in the accident
If no insurer is available through that priority list, the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan may apply, though assigned-claims benefits can involve additional eligibility rules and benefit limits.
This priority order controls who pays medical bills, wage loss, attendant care, and other PIP benefits. It is also one of the most common areas where insurers delay, deny, or shift blame to another carrier.
When the Other Driver Was Uninsured or Took Off
If the driver who hit you was uninsured or fled the scene, you may still have options.
For PIP benefits, the order of priority still controls the analysis. The claim does not automatically disappear because the driver was uninsured or left the scene, but hit-and-run cases may require careful proof that a motor vehicle was involved and that the proper insurer or assigned-claims process has been identified.
Other possible sources of recovery may include:
- PIP benefits through the proper priority insurer
- Uninsured motorist coverage
- Underinsured motorist coverage
- The Michigan Assigned Claims Plan
- A third-party liability claim if the driver is identified
- Additional claims if another party contributed to the crash
Uninsured motorist coverage or underinsured motorist coverage may help with third-party damages, including pain and suffering, when the at-fault driver has no coverage or not enough coverage.
Common Causes of Michigan Motorcycle Accidents
Michigan State Police 2024 crash data reported 3,187 motorcycle-involved crashes and 168 motorcyclist fatalities. Many motorcycle crashes happen because another driver failed to look carefully, failed to yield, followed too closely, or drove distracted.
Common causes include:
- Left-turn crashes at intersections
- Distracted driving
- Drunk or drug-impaired driving
- Unsafe lane changes
- Rear-end crashes
- Speeding
- Following too closely
- Failure to yield
- Failure to check blind spots
- Dooring accidents
The cause helps prove negligence in the third-party liability claim.
Intersection Crashes and Left-Turn Collisions
Intersection crashes are one of the most common patterns in motorcycle cases. A driver turns left across traffic, fails to see an oncoming motorcycle, and leaves the rider with no time to avoid impact.
These cases often support a strong liability claim, but insurers may still argue the rider was speeding, hard to see, or partly responsible.
Useful evidence may include:
- The police report
- Witness statements
- Vehicle damage
- Skid marks
- Traffic-light timing
- Nearby camera footage
- Crash reconstruction
- Photos of the scene and road conditions
Distracted, Impaired, and Negligent Drivers
Distracted driving is especially dangerous for motorcyclists. A driver looking at a phone, adjusting an in-car screen, or drifting out of a lane may not see a rider until it is too late.
Impaired driving can also create serious motorcycle cases. If alcohol was involved and a bar or restaurant illegally served the driver, Michigan’s dram shop law may create an additional claim against another party.
Other negligent driving patterns include unsafe lane changes, rear-end crashes at stoplights, speeding, following too closely, failure to yield, failure to check blind spots, and dooring accidents.
For an injured rider, the legal claim depends on evidence. Vehicles are repaired, camera footage may be erased, and witnesses become harder to find. The earlier the case is investigated, the stronger the proof may be.
Michigan Motorcycle No-Fault PIP Benefits and How to Claim Them
Michigan motorcycle no-fault rules are one of the biggest sources of confusion after a crash.
A rider may still qualify for PIP benefits even though motorcycles are treated differently under the No-Fault Act. The key question is usually whether a motor vehicle was involved and which insurer falls first in the order of priority.
A motorcycle accident injury settlement in Michigan may take time. PIP benefits can help cover immediate losses while the injury claim develops. PIP benefits may help pay for medical care, wage loss, in-home help, and other costs while the third-party liability claim moves forward.
What PIP Benefits Cover for Injured Motorcyclists
When PIP applies, benefits may include:
- Reasonable and necessary medical care
- Wage loss benefits, subject to Michigan’s statutory limits
- Attendant care for help with daily needs
- Replacement services for household tasks
- Mileage to and from medical appointments
- Survivor’s loss benefits after a fatal motorcycle accident
Medical benefits may depend on the applicable insurance policy, the selected PIP medical coverage level, and whether the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan is involved. Riders should not assume the first adjuster who calls has identified the correct coverage or the correct insurer.
When the Assigned Claims Plan Pays
The Michigan Assigned Claims Plan may apply when no insurer is available through the motorcycle PIP priority order.
This often comes up when:
- The at-fault driver is uninsured
- Coverage cannot be identified
- Multiple insurers deny responsibility
- No available insurer falls higher in the priority order
Assigned-claims cases can be difficult because the assigned insurer may closely examine eligibility, documentation, treatment, and deadlines. Benefits through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan may also be capped, including a possible $250,000 limit on allowable medical expense benefits, which can be a serious issue in catastrophic motorcycle injury cases.
Michigan Motorcycle Helmet Law and How It Affects Your Case
Michigan motorcycle helmet law does not require every adult rider to wear a helmet in every situation. It also does not automatically end an injury claim if a rider was not wearing one.
Under MCL 257.658, motorcycle operators and passengers under 21 must wear a helmet. Operators 21 and older may ride without a helmet only if they meet the law’s requirements, including the motorcycle endorsement or approved safety-course requirement and the required first-party medical benefits coverage. Passengers 21 and older may ride without a helmet only when the applicable medical-benefits coverage requirement is satisfied.
If you were not wearing a helmet, the insurance company may try to use that fact against you. In a head-injury case, the defense may argue comparative fault.
That argument does not automatically bar the claim. Under Michigan’s modified comparative fault rule, noneconomic damages can be reduced by the injured person’s percentage of fault. Noneconomic damages are barred only when the injured person is more than 50 percent at fault.
Under MCL 500.3135, an injured person generally must show death, serious impairment of body function, or permanent serious disfigurement to recover noneconomic damages in a motor vehicle case.
Who Must Wear a Helmet in Michigan
All riders and passengers under 21 must wear a helmet. A motorcycle operator who is 21 or older may ride without a helmet only if the operator satisfies Michigan’s exemption requirements. Those requirements include:
- Age 21 or older
- Motorcycle endorsement for at least two years or completion of an approved motorcycle safety course
- Required first-party medical benefits coverage, generally at least $20,000 per person per occurrence
Passengers must also satisfy the law’s requirements to ride without a helmet, including the applicable first-party medical benefits coverage requirement. If an insurer says riding without a helmet ends your entire claim, get legal advice before accepting that position.
Eye Protection Requirements
Michigan also has a separate eye-protection rule.
Under MCL 257.708a, a motorcycle operator traveling over 35 miles per hour on a public highway must wear shatter-resistant goggles, eyeglasses, or a transparent face shield if the motorcycle does not have a windshield.
This rule applies separately from the helmet law.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries Our Clients Face
Motorcycle crashes often cause serious injuries because riders do not have the protection of a vehicle frame, airbags, or seat belts.
Even when the rider survives, the recovery can involve months of treatment, permanent limitations, and major financial pressure.
Common motorcycle accident injuries in Michigan include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Fractures
- Torn ligaments
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee injuries
- Road rash
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Internal injuries
- Nerve damage
- Post-traumatic stress
These injuries can affect both economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages may include medical expenses, future care, wage loss, and reduced earning capacity. Noneconomic damages may include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, mental anguish, and disfigurement.
Bradley B. Harris has particular experience with motor vehicle accident cases involving traumatic brain injuries, including cases where the defense questioned whether the brain injury was real or connected to the crash.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury can happen even when a rider wears a helmet.
Symptoms may include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Memory problems
- Light sensitivity
- Mood changes
- Sleep disruption
- Balance problems
- Difficulty working
Insurance companies often challenge brain injury claims when imaging does not show obvious damage. Strong TBI cases may require medical records, neuropsychological testing, treating-doctor opinions, family observations, employment records, vocational testimony, and day-in-the-life evidence.
A brain injury can affect how a person thinks, works, sleeps, communicates, and manages daily life. That full impact should be documented before settlement is considered.
Orthopedic Injuries and Road Rash
Fractures, torn ligaments, knee injuries, shoulder injuries, spinal injuries, and nerve injuries are common after motorcycle crashes. Some require surgery, hardware, injections, physical therapy, or future revision procedures.
Road rash can also be serious. Deep abrasions may require wound care, debridement, skin grafting, and long-term treatment.
Scarring and disfigurement can affect case value, especially when the injury is permanent, visible, painful, or emotionally distressing.
How Much Is a Michigan Motorcycle Accident Case Worth?
There is no honest universal answer to “How much are most motorcycle accident settlements?”
A motorcycle accident injury settlement in Michigan depends on the injuries, medical treatment, long-term prognosis, fault evidence, available insurance, and how the crash changed the rider’s life.
A case involving a short emergency room visit and full recovery will not be valued the same way as a case involving:
- Surgery
- Permanent disability
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal injury
- Long-term pain
- Lost earning capacity
- Permanent scarring
- Death of a rider
Available insurance coverage also affects value. A clear-liability case can still be limited by a low insurance policy unless other coverage or additional defendants are available.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the financial losses tied to the crash.
They may include:
- Past medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Wage loss beyond available PIP benefits
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Attendant care
- Replacement services
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Motorcycle property damage
PIP may cover some of these losses, but not always all of them. A third-party liability claim can pursue losses that exceed available no-fault benefits, including excess wage loss, uncovered medical expenses, and future damages when the injury affects long-term work ability.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, scarring, disfigurement, and the daily burden of living with the injury. The injured rider must meet Michigan’s threshold injury rule, which generally requires death, serious impairment of body function, or permanent serious disfigurement.
Many catastrophic motorcycle injuries may satisfy that threshold, but the analysis still depends on the facts, medical evidence, and effect on daily life.
Factors That Increase or Decrease Case Value
Several factors can affect the value of a motorcycle accident case:
- Injury severity
- Whether the injury is permanent
- Whether fault is clear
- Available insurance coverage
- Comparative fault arguments
- Length and consistency of medical treatment
- Effect on work and earning capacity
- Effect on family life and daily function
- Visibility and permanence of scarring
- Need for expert testimony
No lawyer should promise a specific settlement amount at the beginning of a case. The value becomes clearer as treatment continues, evidence develops, and the long-term impact is better understood.
Deadlines to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Michigan
Michigan motorcycle accident cases can involve more than one deadline.
The two most important deadlines are:
- One year for PIP benefits
- Three years for personal injury claims
These deadlines apply to different parts of the case. Missing one does not always mean the other is gone, but it can still cost real money.
The One-Year Deadline to File a PIP Claim
The PIP deadline is short. Under MCL 500.3145, written notice of injury generally must be given to the insurer within one year of the crash unless the insurer has already paid benefits for the injury. The notice must identify the injured person and give basic information about the time, place, and nature of the injury.
This deadline is separate from the personal injury statute of limitations. Missing the PIP deadline can put medical bills, wage loss, attendant care, and other no-fault benefits at risk, even if the claim against the at-fault driver is still alive.
Three Years for Personal Injury and Wrongful Death
Michigan’s general personal injury statute of limitations is three years under MCL 600.5805. This deadline usually applies to the third-party liability claim against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering, excess wage loss, future damages, and other losses.
Wrongful death cases can involve additional procedural rules. Families should seek legal review early after a fatal motorcycle accident.
What to Do After a Michigan Motorcycle Accident
What you do after a motorcycle crash can affect your health, your PIP claim, and your case against the at-fault driver.
If you are physically able, or if a family member can help, take these steps:
- Call 911 and request medical help.
- Accept medical evaluation, even if you think the injury is minor.
- Ask for the police report number.
- Take photos of the vehicles, motorcycle, roadway, signs, traffic signals, injuries, helmet, and riding gear.
- Get names and contact information for witnesses.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurer.
- Report the crash to your own insurer if you have auto coverage.
- Keep the motorcycle, helmet, clothing, and gear in their post-crash condition if possible.
- Contact a motorcycle accident lawyer in Michigan before signing a release or accepting money.
Evidence disappears quickly. Vehicles are repaired. Cameras overwrite footage. Witnesses become harder to reach. Insurers start building their version of the crash immediately.
Why Quick Insurer Settlement Offers Can Be Risky
A fast settlement offer may feel like relief when bills are piling up. In a serious motorcycle case, an early offer may be designed to close the claim before the rider understands the full injury.
At that point, you may not know:
- Whether you need surgery
- Whether you can return to work
- Whether your pain is permanent
- Whether brain injury symptoms will improve
- Whether PIP benefits are being handled by the right insurer
- Whether future care has been accounted for
- Whether the offer includes the full value of pain and suffering
Accepting a settlement usually means signing a release. Once that release is signed, the claim is usually over. Before accepting any offer, make sure it accounts for the full medical picture, future care, lost income, pain and suffering, available insurance coverage, and the proof needed to support the claim.
Get Help After a Michigan Motorcycle Accident
You do not have to sort through PIP benefits, insurer calls, medical bills, and settlement pressure on your own. If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident in Michigan, Harris Altman, PC can review what happened, identify the insurance coverage available, and explain your next steps in plain English.
We handle both sides of the case, including the no-fault PIP claim and the third-party liability claim against the at-fault driver. If the insurer refuses to treat the case fairly, we are prepared to file suit.
Your consultation is free. You pay no attorney’s fees unless your case results in a recovery. Call Harris Altman, PC at 248-540-3100 or reach us through our contact form.
