Farmington Hills Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Experienced Motorcycle Injury Attorneys Help Clients Obtain Compensation After Serious Motorcycle Accidents

Michigan has over 600,000 licensed motorcycle operators. According to Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, motorcyclists make up about 8.2% of all licensed drivers in Michigan.

These riders have the same rights on Michigan’s public roads as other drivers. Yet motorcyclists suffer collisions, serious injuries, and deaths at higher rates than car or truck drivers. When other drivers are negligent, motorcyclists often pay the price.

If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a motorcycle crash, contact an experienced Farmington Hills motorcycle accident law firm. The Sommers Schwartz, P.C. team can help you build a strong case and recover the compensation you deserve.

Michigan Motorcycle Accident Statistics

Statewide, 8.2% of Michigan’s licensed drivers have motorcycle endorsements. In Oakland County, the number is 6.3%, while Wayne County has an even lower rate, at 5.6%. Macomb County’s rate of 6.6% is slightly higher than Oakland County’s but lower than the statewide average.

In 2022, Michigan recorded a total of 3,158 motorcycle crashes. These crashes often proved fatal for motorcyclists, with 17.7% of motorcycle collisions claiming at least one life. A total of 173 Michigan motorcyclists died, 14 of them in Oakland County. According to federal data, this ranks Michigan tenth worst in the nation for motorcycle crash deaths.

Even non-fatal motorcycle collisions cause serious injuries. A total of 817 serious injury crashes were recorded in Michigan in 2022, including 49 in Oakland County.

In 2022, Oakland County had 225 motorcycle crashes, compared to 230 in Macomb County and 499 in Wayne County. These counties were Michigan’s top three for the highest number of motorcycle collisions in 2022, followed by Kent County with 195 crashes and Genesee County with 133.

Common Injuries in Michigan Motorcycle Accidents

Drivers and passengers in vehicles have several layers of protection when involved in a crash. The vehicle’s frame, body, and crumple zones absorb some of the impact of a collision. Airbags and seat belts also reduce the risk of serious or fatal injury.

Motorcyclists have none of these protections, so they experience the full force of a collision when it occurs.

Common injuries in Michigan motorcycle accidents include:

• Head, neck, and back injuries, including skull fractures, facial injuries, spine fractures, and herniated discs.
• Brain and spinal cord injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and spinal cord severing. Many of these lead to permanent paralysis or disability.
• Broken bones.
• Internal bleeding, blunt force trauma, and organ damage.
• Scarring, disfigurement, and amputation.
• Psychological trauma, PTSD, and mental health issues.

Motorcycle accidents can cause a wide range of severe, permanent injuries. Riders and passengers who survive Michigan motorcycle accidents often find their lives and bodies are forever changed.

Understanding Michigan Motorcycle Accident Claims

Under Michigan’s no-fault insurance laws, an injured person or their representatives generally can’t pursue claims against a negligent driver unless the accident caused death, permanent serious disfigurement, the serious impairment of a body function, or long-term income loss. Motorcycle accidents typically involve severe injuries that fall under these exceptions.

An experienced attorney can help you manage your case and pursue compensation for your injuries. Filing a lawsuit allows you and your Farmington Hills injury lawyer to gather evidence and negotiate a fair settlement that fully compensates you for your damages. Most motorcycle accident claims in Michigan are settled out of court (before the case goes to trial).

Michigan’s court rules, procedures, and laws can be confusing. Recent changes in Michigan’s motorcycle helmet and insurance laws can make navigating the process even more difficult. These changes differentiate motorcycle cases from other personal injury cases and can increase their complexity.

Time limits, rules for proving fault, and guidelines for compensation all affect how a case proceeds. An experienced Farmington Hills motorcycle accident lawyer can help you understand how these rules apply to your situation.

Time Limits

Michigan’s statute of limitations gives most injury victims three years from the date of their injury to file a lawsuit. However, some exceptions can extend or shorten the amount of time you have to file a claim. Speak to an experienced attorney as quickly as possible to ensure you understand the limits that apply to your case and don’t miss a deadline.

Proving Fault

Every Michigan roadway user has a legal duty to use reasonable care to prevent collisions and other accidents. If a driver’s breach of their legal duty causes an accident, they may be liable for the injured victim’s damages. Drunk driving, distracted driving, and speeding are three common ways drivers fail to meet their duty of care.

Motorcycle accidents often result from drivers failing to use reasonable care to look out for motorcyclists. Drivers may also follow a motorcycle too closely, causing a crash. Drunk or distracted drivers may be unable to spot a motorcyclist until it’s too late to avoid a collision.

Michigan’s “comparative fault” rules reduce an injured person’s compensation by the percentage of fault assigned to the injured person. The injured person cannot recover non-economic damages if that percentage exceeds 50%. An attorney can explain how these rules might apply in your case.

Compensation

Michigan’s no-fault insurance coverage laws can make understanding how to recover compensation for your losses after a serious accident challenging. An attorney can help you determine the type and amount of compensation available in your case and how to recover what you deserve.

Compensation can be for “economic” or “non-economic” damages. Economic damages include financial losses, such as medical bills, rehabilitation, medical devices, medication, and future care. They also encompass lost wages and loss of future earning capacity, costs to repair or replace damaged property, and other costs related to the crash.

Non-economic damages are intangible losses like pain and suffering and the loss of hobbies or other activities you once enjoyed if your injuries prevent you from participating in them. You can also seek non-economic damages for mental and emotional anguish, scarring, disfigurement, and other losses of ability related to the accident.

Choosing a Michigan Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Choosing a motorcycle accident lawyer can seem daunting, especially if you haven’t worked with an attorney before. Keep these tips in mind when choosing a Michigan motorcycle accident attorney:

• Check testimonials and referrals. Talk to people you know. Ask for their experiences with Farmington Hills injury lawyers. Read testimonials and reviews online to see how others liked working with particular attorneys.
• Look for experience with motorcycle cases. Michigan’s motorcycle accident law is still developing and changes frequently. An attorney who handles motorcycle accident claims regularly will stay on top of legal changes and know how to fight for the best possible outcome in your case.
• Examine track records. How often does the lawyer or law firm win the cases they take? What do those verdicts look like? While law firms cannot guarantee any particular outcome or award, a track record of success indicates attorneys with experience and skill.

Finally, don’t underestimate the importance of choosing an attorney who explains things in a way you understand. You’ll need to work closely with your lawyer as your case unfolds, so being on the same page from the beginning is crucial.

Speak to an Experienced Farmington Hills Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

An experienced Farmington Hills motorcycle accident lawyer can investigate your claim, build a strong case, and help you secure the compensation you need. The skilled, compassionate team at Sommers Schwartz, P.C. will handle your case so you can focus on healing. Contact us today to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with one of our dedicated Farmington Hills motorcycle injury lawyers.