Westland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

With its abundance of parks and easy access to Plymouth, Canton, Livonia, and the city of Detroit, Westland is a popular destination for day trips. Many travelers choose to use a motorcycle for recreation or as their regular means of transportation. Approximately 250,000 Michiganders ride motorcycles, according to the Secretary of State.

Motorcyclists have the same right to use public roads as other drivers, as long as they follow the rules of the road. Many motorcyclists follow these rules and obey traffic laws. Yet motorcyclists suffer a higher rate of crashes and injuries than vehicle drivers.

Distracted driving, drunk or drugged driving, and other negligence on the part of vehicle drivers can easily cause a motorcycle crash. When this happens, the motorcyclist may suffer serious or even fatal injuries.

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash or you’ve lost a loved one, don’t wait. Talk to an experienced Westland motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible. The team at Sommers Schwartz PC is here to help.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics in Michigan

Motorcyclists face a higher rate of death and serious injuries than vehicle drivers. In 2021, motorcyclist fatalities occurred at a rate of 21.6 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. For car and truck drivers, this rate was 1.1 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, according to Michigan Traffic Crash Facts.

The rate of serious injuries is also higher for motorcyclists. In 2021:

• Serious injuries occurred in 28 percent of crashes involving helmeted motorcyclists.
• Minor injuries occurred in 44.5 percent of crashes involving helmeted motorcyclists.

In 2021, 3,175 motorcycle crashes in Michigan claimed 166 lives and caused 2,526 injuries, many of them serious.

Motorcycle helmet use is optional in Michigan if motorcyclists comply with insurance requirements. For bikers who opt out of wearing a helmet, the risk of death or serious injury is even higher.

According to Michigan Traffic Crash Facts (MTCF), 13 motorcycle crashes occurred in Westland in 2023. These included at least one fatal injury, three suspected serious injuries, and three suspected minor or possible injuries.

Common Causes of Westland Motorcycle Accidents

In 2021, 78 percent of the motorcycle operators who died in a crash were listed as “going straight ahead” when the accident occurred. Often, the motorcyclist had the right of way.

The Michigan Secretary of State notes that “most motorcycle-vehicle crashes occur at intersections when a vehicle turns left into an oncoming motorcyclist.” Many crashes occur on city streets.

Common causes of motorcycle crashes in Westland and throughout Michigan include:

• Drivers misjudging distance or acting hastily. Judging the speed and distance of an oncoming motorcycle can be tougher than making the same estimates for a larger vehicle. Drivers who don’t give themselves enough time to accurately judge a bike’s distance and speed risk causing a crash. Similarly, it’s easy to miss a motorcycle if a driver doesn’t thoroughly check their blind spots before maneuvering.
• Distracted drivers. Drivers who are distracted by phones, car radios, conversations, or sights outside the vehicle may fail to notice a motorcycle – especially if they rely on hearing a bike instead of seeing it. When a driver fails to pay proper attention to the road, a serious accident can result.
• Drivers who don’t allow adequate distance. Motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars. For this reason, drivers need to keep extra space between themselves and bikers. When a driver doesn’t leave this extra space, a collision can result.
• Drivers who fail to yield the right of way. Drivers who fail to exercise adequate caution at intersections can easily cause a crash with a motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, or another vehicle.

Drunk or drugged driving can increase the risk of a motorcycle crash. An intoxicated driver’s vision, judgment, and reflexes may be impaired. These drivers may be unable to spot a motorcyclist or to react safely if they do, resulting in a collision.

Other conditions can also make it more difficult for drivers to identify and avoid motorcyclists. Poor weather conditions, low light, and other issues can increase the challenge for drivers. Drivers must account for these conditions when driving. Slowing down, paying closer attention at intersections, and taking other steps to account for road conditions is essential to driving with care and preventing crashes.

Common Injuries in Westland Motorcycle Crashes

Motorcycle accidents tend to cause more serious injuries than comparable vehicle crashes. Motorcyclists do not have the benefit of a car’s frame, seat belts, or airbags to protect them from the full force of a collision.

Common injuries in Westland motorcycle crashes include:

• Traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries,
• Injuries to the head, neck, and back, including skull fractures, damaged vertebrae, and muscle, nerve, or soft tissue damage.
• Muscle, nerve, soft tissue, and organ damage from blunt force trauma,
• Broken bones,
• Crush injuries or amputations,
• “Road rash,” or loss of skin due to dragging along a rough surface like pavement.

Post-traumatic stress symptoms and other forms of psychological trauma can occur as well. These conditions often require medical treatment and may persist long after broken bones, cuts, and other injuries have healed.

Many of these injuries leave lifelong damage. Brain injuries can cause permanent changes in thinking, mood, memory, and concentration. Spinal cord injuries can result in permanent paralysis. Broken bones can leave lingering issues with pain and mobility even after the bone has healed. Crush injuries, amputations, road rash, and other scarring or disfigurement leave permanent bodily changes. Motorcyclists injured by another driver’s negligence need compensation to help them deal with these life-altering injuries.

Seeking Compensation in a Westland Motorcycle Injury Case

A motorcycle injury case is a civil claim. It seeks compensation for losses you suffered because someone else was negligent.

To seek compensation, you’ll need to file your claim within Michigan’s time limits for injury cases. You’ll also need to demonstrate that the driver who hit you was negligent, their negligence caused your injuries, and your losses can be compensated (usually with money damages).

Time Limits for Filing a Motorcycle Injury Claim

Michigan’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the injury. Cases that are not filed within three years cannot be filed in court.

Only a few exceptions apply to this three-year limit, and they are narrow. Talk to a lawyer as soon as possible after your injury. An attorney will calculate the exact deadline in your case and work to ensure your claim is filed before you reach that deadline.

If you suspect the deadline has already passed, talk to an attorney. Even if the statute of limitations has expired, a lawyer can help you identify your remaining options.

Compensation for Injuries After a Motorcycle Accident

Compensation repays your losses after a motorcycle accident. Common losses in Michigan motorcycle accident cases include:

• Medical bills, including medical bills for any future care you’ll need,
• Lost wages, including future lost wages, if your injuries prevent you from ever working again,
• Property damage, such as the cost to repair or replace your damaged motorcycle,
• Compensation for your conscious pain and suffering.

If you lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death claim seeks to compensate your loved one’s estate for its losses, like the cost of a funeral and burial. It also seeks to compensate surviving loved ones for the loss of their family member’s care, companionship, and support.

Dealing With Insurance Companies After a Motorcycle Crash

In Michigan, auto insurance companies typically get involved after a vehicle accident. While many motorcyclists carry motorcycle coverage, many insurers try to avoid paying on these claims, which can be costly.

Both your motorcycle insurer and the driver’s auto insurer may delay your claim, deny you needed coverage, or try other tactics to avoid paying you what you are owed. If an insurer offers you a settlement, it may be far less than you need for your outstanding bills. Even a settlement offer that covers your existing bills may not provide enough money to pay for your future care.

Motorcycle insurance law is a rapidly-changing area of law in Michigan. To navigate it, speak to a knowledgeable Westland motorcycle accident lawyer. Your attorney can handle insurance company negotiations and paperwork while you focus on recovering from your injuries or adjusting to life after the sudden loss of a loved one.

Speak to an Experienced Westland Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today

Motorcycle accidents can devastate those who suffer them. In an instant, everything changes – and it may never be the same again.

If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a crash, talk to a dedicated Westland motorcycle accident attorney today. The team at Sommers Schwartz PC has a proven track record of success representing injured motorcyclists and their families. We’ll listen to your needs and help you choose a path forward that protects your legal rights.

To learn more, reach out to us today. Call our office or use our online form to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation.