Dearborn Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Dearborn, MI

Motorcycle accidents often lead to more serious injuries than regular passenger vehicle crashes because motorcyclists have nothing aside from their helmets to protect them from the impacts with these much larger vehicles. If you were seriously injured in a crash on your bike, a skilled Dearborn motorcycle accident lawyer can help you recover damages from the liable party.

Trust Wigod & Falzon

Our experienced personal linjury attorneys at Wigod & Falzon have extensive experience in handling motorcycle accident cases. We can leverage our extensive knowledge of motorcycle accident laws to get you real results by proving fault and making sure that the liable party’s insurance company makes you a settlement offer that covers 100% of your damages.

Why Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?

In 2023, there were 165 motorcycle fatalities. Of those, 33% of the deaths were caused by drug-involved crashes. These statistics cover only the most serious crashes. In 2021, there were 3,175 motorcycle-involved crashes, including 166 fatalities and 2,526 injuries. Reviewing the comprehensive annual tracking logs on Michigan motorcycle accident statistics demonstrates how seasonal weather shifts and driver blind spots directly contribute to these high crash metrics across the state.

If you’ve sustained serious injuries during a motorcycle crash, your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance may not cover 100% of your damages. If that’s the case, you can hire a motorcycle accident lawyer to help you hold the liable driver accountable for paying economic and non-economic damages.

Your attorney can help you with every step of this process, including minor things like filing paperwork and major steps like negotiating with insurance companies.

Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance System

Unlike many states, Michigan has a no-fault insurance system in place for motor vehicle accidents. If you get into a crash on your bike, your own insurance can cover medical bills and a percentage of your lost wages up to your policy limit. However, Michigan also allows those grievously injured or permanently disfigured in motorcycle accidents to file claims against the liable drivers. You can file a claim if:

• You sustained injuries that seriously impair your bodily functioning.
• You were permanently disfigured.
• Your own insurance does not cover 100% of your medical expenses and lost wages.

If any of these situations apply, you should let your motorcycle accident attorney know so that they can begin the process of identifying the liable party and holding them accountable. You can recover both economic and non-economic damages from the liable driver, including pain and suffering, mental anguish, and emotional distress.

Comparative Fault in Michigan

If you suffered a serious injury that won’t be covered fully under your PIP insurance, you may still be able to recover compensation even if you were partially at fault. Michigan has a modified comparative fault system in place for determining whether injured parties are eligible to recover compensation.

If you were determined to hold less than 51% of the blame for your accident, you may still file a claim against the other liable driver. Just keep in mind that your final settlement amount can be reduced based on the percentage of fault you are assigned for the crash.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

One of the top reasons drivers give for hitting motorcyclists is that they didn’t see them riding their bikes or misjudged the speed at which they were approaching or riding through intersections. However, those are not excuses for driver negligence. Common causes of motorcycle accidents caused by drivers include:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Drunk driving
• Failing to yield
• Lane changes
• Running red lights or stop signs
• Aggressive driving

Motorcyclists can also contribute to their accident risk by engaging in risky behaviors like lane splitting. Your attorney may need to focus on proving that you were not primarily to blame for the accident to get you the compensation you deserve.

Insurance companies often try to claim that motorcyclists caused their own crashes by driving recklessly. This may be the case if you were riding too fast, weaving in and out of traffic, splitting lanes, or driving on the shoulder. However, most motorcyclists do not actually engage in these risky behaviors, and motorcycle accident lawyers are skilled in combating negative stereotypes.

FAQs

How Much Compensation Do You Get for a Motorcycle Accident?

How much compensation you get for a motorcycle accident depends on factors such as the severity of your injuries, the percentage of fault you are assigned for the crash, and how skilled your attorney is at negotiating with insurance companies. Working with an experienced lawyer to identify all of your damages and make sure the liable driver’s insurance company is offering a settlement that pays for them is the most effective way to make sure you get fairly compensated.

Where Do 70% of Motorcycle Accidents Occur?

Approximately 70% of motorcycle accidents occur at intersections. These collisions often occur when other drivers don’t see motorcycles or misjudge their speed, resulting in cars making left-hand turns into riders’ paths. Dangerous intersections in Dearborn include Ford Road/Southfield Freeway, Michigan Avenue/Schaefer Road, and Telegraph Road/Van Born Road.

Do Insurance Companies Like to Settle Out of Court?

Insurance companies like to settle out of court because it saves them time and money. However, they often offer low settlement offers that don’t fully cover motorcycle accident victims’ damages. You should never accept an insurance company’s settlement without first consulting a Dearborn motorcycle accident attorney who can identify all of your damages and make sure the settlement offer is fair.

What Is the 12-Second Rule on a Motorcycle?

The 12-second rule is a defensive riding concept pioneered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. It requires riders to constantly scan their surroundings at least 12 seconds ahead of their current positions, giving them enough time to spot hazards in the road and react smoothly instead of having to swerve or brake in a panic. Following safety steps like this is vital, but if an unsuspecting vehicle crosses your path anyway, knowing what to do after a motorcycle accident ensures you take the right steps at the scene to protect both your health and your legal eligibility.

Hire Dearborn Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been involved in a crash on your bike in Michigan, you need a skilled Dearborn motorcycle accident lawyer on your side. You can trust the team here at Wigod & Falzon to help. We have been in practice for over 30 years, and in that time, we’ve represented countless motorcycle accident victims, helping them get the compensation they need to heal and move forward with their lives. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.

Dearborn, MI Motorcycle Accident Resources:

• Understanding the Statutory Deadlines and the Michigan Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims

• A Detailed Guide on the Processes and Timelines of How Personal Injury Settlements Are Formally Paid Out

• The Strategic and Legal Process Behind Settling an Insurance Personal Injury Claim Successfully

• The Comprehensive Personal Injury Case Evidence Evaluation Checklist for Injury Victims

• How to Properly Organize and Compile Critical Personal Injury Legal Documents for Your Case