The 5 Steps Motorcyclists Need to Take After Being Hit by a Car

Motorcycle accidents are scary, and often life-threatening. Motorcyclists are often at a much higher risk for injury or fatality on the road, due to their limited protection compared to other drivers on the road.

Because of this, victims of motorcycle crashes and their families need to know how to proceed after the accident. Below, we lay out the immediate steps to take following a motorcycle accident to receive the correct and just compensation for your pain and suffering.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

1. Call the Police

If your injuries are minor and you’re able to call the police, do so immediately. A police report is vital, as it ensures that you’re able to tell your side of the story. Additionally, it makes the at-fault driver explain how they caused the crash.

Most importantly, it also gives you the chance to document insurance information for the at-fault driver. You’ll need this information on hand when you begin your insurance claim for benefits to compensate for any lost wages and medical bills.

2. Do Not Let the Driver Leave the Scene

Sometimes, when a driver causes an accident, they unfortunately flee the scene to avoid consequences. It’s important to do whatever you can to keep the driver at the scene so they take responsibility.

If they do happen to leave the scene, try to look at their license plate and record it. Additionally, note the make, model, and color of the vehicle, and a description of their appearance if possible.

Additionally, try to find a witness and keep them around as well, until the situation is resolved with the police. This will help law enforcement get more clarity about what happened—especially if the driver is uncooperative or not telling the whole truth.

3. Seek Medical Treatment

Call for medical attention as soon as possible. Even if your injuries are minor, it’s best to have someone assess them immediately.

Even if you don’t feel injured right away, it’s possible that you’ve undergone a delayed injury. A delayed injury occurs when your body experiences trauma and delays your response to an injury.

These can include:

• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Headaches
• Abdomen pain
• Numbness or tingling
• Changes in behavior

Be on alert for any of these injuries, among others, that can come to your attention hours, days, or even weeks after an accident.

4. File an Insurance Claim

It’s crucial to call your insurance company as soon as you can. However, in Michigan, only certain injuries will qualify a victim to sue a negligent driver for additional damages beyond their own PIP coverage.

If your provider tries to deny your claim, or offers an amount that won’t cover all your costs, your next step should be to immediately contact a motorcycle accident lawyer.

A skilled attorney will help you understand what kind of injuries will qualify you for pain and suffering damages, and will litigate against the insurance company if necessary.

5. Get Help From a Personal Injury Attorney

After being injured due to the negligence of a driver, a skilled lawyer can help you receive lost wages and medical bill compensation under Michigan’s No-Fault insurance law.

Our attorneys work under contingency fee basis. This means that the costs of an attorney is paid with a percentage of the settlement or judgment you receive from your case.

In simple terms—we don’t get paid until you do.

Who’s At Fault?

All cases are different, and determining liability can change depending on certain factors.

The Car Driver

It’s true that most motorcycle accidents are caused by cars. These crashes occur due to many reasons, including when drivers:

• Make left hand turns too quickly or without looking
• Speed
• Operate under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Are distracted
• Don’t look at their blind spots

The Motorcyclist

There are instances when the motorcyclist may have contributed to the crash.

Motorcyclists may fail to control their own safety and violate the law by doing one of the following:

• Alcohol use
• Speeding
• Not wearing a helmet
• Lane splitting

If a motorcyclist is found guilty of any of these offenses, they may be sued if another person was involved.

Non-Drivers

There are some situations when a non-driver is to blame. This could include:

• The manufacturer of a motorcycle if a defect in the vehicle caused the accident or resulted in worse injuries
• The parties responsible for maintaining roads if a defect in the roads caused the accident to occur

If the involved parties can’t agree on who is at fault, resulting in a lawsuit, a jury will determine who is to blame and how much compensation is fair.

If a case goes to court, the victim is responsible for proving who’s at fault.

Can Motorcyclists Sue At-Fault Drivers?

Motorcyclists may sue a driver for pain and suffering after being injured in an accident due to the driver’s negligence or recklessness. The easiest way to execute this is by showing proof that the driver is at fault.

Michigan law also allows for injured motorcyclists to sue for excess no-fault benefits including economic losses that the victim may suffer in the future, in addition to medical bills, wage loss, among others.

Don’t Wait to Get Justice. Hire an Experienced Attorney

Getting hit by a car while driving a motorcycle can be life-altering, due to the physical and mental trauma that may occur.

In these cases, you need a passionate, skilled, and relentless attorney that will devote time and energy to getting the justice you deserve.

Contact our team today for a no-commitment, free consultation. We’ll connect you with an attorney dedicated to helping you navigate the situation, explaining your rights, and demonstrating care throughout the whole process.