Motorcycle riders lack the enclosed protection that vehicle occupants enjoy, which is why crashes result in severe injuries and fatalities. Further, motorcycles are less stable and visible, and high-performance vehicles explain their large share of crashes.
If you suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident, you may endure emotional or financial burdens. Michigan personal injury laws allow you to pursue compensation from the negligent party who caused the crash.
Our Ann Arbor motorcycle accident attorneys at Michigan Injury Lawyers understand the impact of injuries and are ready to protect your rights. Our highly skilled attorneys can investigate, compile evidence, and initiate compensation claims against the at-fault party.
Why Choose Us
Your ability to recover from injury-related losses depends on the settlement value of your motorcycle accident claim. Our Ann Arbor motorcycle accident attorneys will work hard to obtain a maximum settlement value that covers your losses.
Here are a few reasons you should work with us:
- Experience: Our motorcycle accident attorneys have been representing injured victims since 2008. We have gained years of experience, which allows us to fight for compensation against the at-fault party.
- Nationally Recognized: Our motorcycle accident lawyers are recognized by the National Trial Lawyers Association and Super Lawyers, among others. We also have numerous five-star reviews and client testimonials.
Compensation for Motorcycle Accidents
You can initiate a personal injury claim or lawsuit to obtain compensation for your injury-related losses.
Some of the damages you can receive in a motorcycle accident claim include:
Medical Expenses
Following a motorcycle accident, you may incur substantial medical expenses for emergency care, hospital stays, surgical procedures, medication, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical treatments.
These costs can quickly add up and put a significant financial strain on you and your family. Medical expenses comprise a considerable share of a motorcycle accident settlement.
Our motorcycle accident attorney can use medical records to prove these expenses and pursue compensation on your behalf.
Lost income
You may be entitled to compensation for lost income if you cannot work due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. These damages can include your lost income and any future earnings you may miss out on due to your injuries.
Here are a few elements of lost income in a motorcycle accident claim:
- Salary
- Tips
- Bonuses
- Commissions
- Vacation time and sick leave
- Retirement contributions
- Promotions and raises
Our motorcycle accident attorney can use pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, a letter from the employer, or a profit and loss statement to prove your lost income.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
In addition to medical expenses and lost income, you may incur various out-of-pocket expenditures related to your accident, such as transportation costs to medical appointments, home modifications for disabilities, or hiring help for household chores you can no longer perform.
Our motorcycle accident lawyers can use receipts and bank statements to prove these expenses and initiate a strong claim against the at-fault party.
Pain and Suffering
Motorcycle accidents can cause significant physical and emotional pain and suffering. For example, a back injury can trigger persistent pain that lasts for months, years or the rest of your life.
Unlike medical expenses with a direct dollar value, it is difficult to estimate the value of pain and suffering, an intangible loss. Using the multiplier method, our motorcycle accident attorneys can determine the value of pain and suffering damages.
Emotional Anguish
The emotional impact of a motorcycle accident can be profound, leading to anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other emotional issues. If the events leading to the motorcycle accident were traumatic, they may trigger emotional distress.
Learning you’ll be permanently disabled may also worsen your mental health, leading to depression or anxiety. Compensation for emotional anguish can help seek treatment and support to cope with a worsened mental health.
Reduced Quality of Life
A motorcycle accident can result in long-term or permanent disabilities that impact your quality of life. For instance, a spinal cord injury can prevent you from participating in soccer, your favorite sport.
An injury can also hinder your ability to self-care, including showering, dressing, and performing other daily routines.
Compensation for reduced quality of life seeks to address the limitations and challenges you face in performing daily activities, pursuing hobbies, or enjoying life as before the accident.
Loss of Companionship
If you have lost a loved one in a fatal motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the loss of companionship. These damages compensate you for losing affection, emotional support, and intimate relations.
Loss of companionship recognizes the intangible damages a family member suffers due to the reduced quality of the relationship as a result of the injury or death of a loved one.
Permanent Disfigurement/Disability
A severe injury in a motorcycle accident can result in permanent disfigurement or disability, affecting your physical appearance, mobility, and independence. Compensation for permanent disfigurement or disability aims to provide financial support for the physical and emotional consequences of these lasting injuries.
For instance, you deserve compensation for permanent disability if you can no longer work as a driver because of a limb loss. Our motorcycle accident attorney can use a doctor’s report to prove permanent disability and to support your compensation claim.
Punitive Damages
A judge or jury may award you punitive damages if the at-fault party’s actions were reckless or egregious. As the name suggests, punitive damages punish the defendant and deter them and others from engaging in similar misconduct that leads to the injury.
Where Do Motorcycle Accidents Occur in Ann Arbor
Motorcycle accidents can occur anywhere in Ann Arbor due to speeding, distracted driving, lane splitting, and other factors. Even so, motorcycle riders are vulnerable to accidents in specific zones.
Here are the common areas where motorcycle accidents occur in Ann Arbor:
- State Street: This popular road in Ann Arbor sees heavy traffic, especially around the University of Michigan campus. Motorcyclists are at an increased risk of crashes due to distracted drivers and pedestrians in this area.
- Washtenaw Avenue: Known for its high traffic volume and multiple lanes, it poses an increased risk of accidents to riders. Accidents often happen here due to lane changes and sudden stops.
- Plymouth Road: Another busy thoroughfare in Ann Arbor is lined with shopping centers and restaurants, attracting dense foot and vehicle traffic. Motorcyclists are vulnerable to collisions due to cars entering and exiting parking lots.
- Jackson Avenue: This road connects downtown Ann Arbor to the city’s western outskirts, making it a popular route for commuters. There is a high risk of crashes at the intersections along Jackson Avenue.
- Packard Street: With its mix of residential areas and commercial establishments, Packard Street can be a hotspot for motorcycle accidents, especially during rush hour. The varying speed limits and frequent stops pose risks for riders.
Ann Arbor Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
You have a right to legal representation after being injured in a motorcycle accident. Our motorcycle accident attorneys can highlight your rights and legal options for pursuing compensation for your losses.
At Michigan Injury Lawyers, our motorcycle accident attorneys can represent you after an injury in any of the following incidents:
- Left-Turn Accidents: When a vehicle makes a left turn and collides with a motorcyclist, riders can sustain severe or fatal injuries. Our motorcycle accident lawyers can help determine liability and seek compensation for your injuries.
- Lane-Splitting Accidents: Lane-splitting is a risky maneuver that exposes riders to collisions. Our motorcycle accident attorneys can review the details of the incident and initiate a settlement claim.
- Rear-End Collisions: Being rear-ended on a motorcycle can result in serious injuries. Our motorcycle accident attorneys can assist in building a strong case to pursue the compensation you deserve.
- Blind Spot Accidents: Motorcycles are more difficult to spot in blind spots, increasing the risk of accidents. Our motorcycle accident lawyers can help prove negligence and secure a favorable outcome.
- Dooring Accidents: Opening a car door in the path of an oncoming motorcycle can cause a devastating crash. Our motorcycle accident lawyers can guide you through the legal process and fight for your rights.
- Head-On Collisions: The impact of a head-on collision can result in severe head and back injuries. Our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers can pursue your claim in court and advocate for a fair settlement value.
At Michigan Injury Lawyers, our Ann Arbor personal injury lawyers can also initiate a personal injury claim or lawsuit if you sustain any of the following injuries:
- Road rash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Amputations
- Fractures
- Facial Injuries
- Burns
- Whiplash Injuries
Fighting the Insurance Company
Although many injured victims obtain compensation from the at-fault party’s insurer, some cope without support. Many insurers frustrate the efforts of injured victims by making low offers or shifting the blame.
Working with our motorcycle accident lawyers can enhance the chances of a positive outcome in your claim.
Here’s how our motorcycle accident lawyers can level the playing field against an insurance company:
- Investigation of the Crash: Our motorcycle accident lawyers will conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the accident to gather evidence and determine liability. From examining police reports to interviewing witnesses, we will use evidence to build a strong case on your behalf.
- Negotiating With Insurers: Insurance companies are known for trying to minimize payouts to accident victims. Our skilled motorcycle accident lawyers are adept at dealing with insurers to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries, damages, and losses.
- Representing You in Court: Our motorcycle accident attorneys are prepared to take your case to court if you can’t reach an agreement with an insurer. With a strong litigation strategy and courtroom experience, we will zealously advocate for your rights before a judge and jury.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Your actions after a motorcycle accident can enhance your wellness and protect your rights as an injured victim.
Here’s what you should do after sustaining an injury in a motorcycle accident:
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Visit a healthcare provider even if you feel okay after the crash. Symptoms of some injuries, including internal bleeding, are not immediately apparent after the crash. A healthcare provider can reveal any hidden injuries and initiate a treatment plan.
An evaluation from a healthcare provider will generate medical records you can rely on to initiate a settlement claim. The at-fault party’s insurer can question the severity of your injury if you delay seeking medical attention.
File a Police Accident Report
You should also notify the police about the motorcycle accident. A law enforcement officer will generate a report with details such as the date, time, location, weather, and road conditions during the crash.
Filing a police accident report allows you to adhere to state laws. In Ann Arbor, Michigan, drivers should file a police accident report if a crash results in:
- Injury
- Death
- Property damage exceeding $1,000
Our motorcycle accident attorney can use the police accident report to establish negligence and to support your claim.
Consult With Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
You should also speak with our motorcycle accident attorneys for legal advice regarding the claim. Many legal cases, including motorcycle accident claims, must adhere to legal timelines and deadlines.
The Michigan statute of limitations requires injured victims to initiate a personal injury lawsuit within three years. You must also file a notice of claim against a government agency within six months after an injury.
Our motorcycle accident lawyers understand the relevant deadlines in your claim and will make timely submissions so you don’t lose your right to compensation.
Speak to Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyer to Get the Compensation You Deserve
Although you’re entitled to compensation, you may face resistance from the at-fault party’s insurer. Insurance companies hire highly experienced attorneys who can frustrate your claim or personal injury lawsuit.
Our motorcycle accident lawyers at Michigan Injury Lawyers have solved many similar cases and can level the playing field against insurers. We rely on evidence and expert reports to fight for a settlement that covers your losses.
You can count on our Ann Arbor motorcycle accident attorneys to handle the legal aspects as you focus on recovery.
Call us at (313) 438-4357 for a free case evaluation.