Detroit Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Detroit Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Motorcycles are a popular vehicle of choice across the United States. To many, they represent the freedom of the open road. However, motorcycles can be one of the most dangerous vehicles on the road. Due to their fast speeds and small size, many drivers do not see them until it is too late to react. If you are ever in a motorcycle accident, you may want to take legal action with the help of a skilled Detroit motorcycle accident lawyer. You contact Wigod & Falzon lawyers team to discuss your case, we also provide free consultation to the clients.

What to Do in the Event of a Motorcycle Accident

If you are ever involved in a motorcycle accident and wish to pursue a personal injury claim against the party or parties responsible for causing the accident, you should speak with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer team at Wigod & Falzon, we can help you build a valid case.

Michigan’s statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is three years from the date of your initial injury. If you fail to file within that three-year time frame, you could lose your opportunity not only to seek compensatory damages but to hold the liable parties accountable.

Michigan state law does not require motorcycle riders or passengers to wear a helmet if they are over the age of 21 or have at least $20,000 in medical insurance. Here are some steps you can take in the immediate aftermath of a motorcycle accident:

• Do Not Panic: Motorcycle accidents can be sudden, frightening, and unpredictable. If you are involved in one, try to remain calm. Take a moment, breathe deeply, assess your situation, and start checking yourself for injuries.
• Check for Injuries: Once you have calmed yourself, start checking your body for any obvious injuries. If you had a passenger on the bike with you, check them for injuries as well. If you are too injured to move, simply stay put and wait for EMTs. If you believe you are not seriously injured, you should get checked out by EMTs once they arrive and get a check-up from a doctor later, as you may have internal injuries you are not aware of.
• Call 911: As soon as you are physically able to do so, call 911 to get police and emergency medical technicians out to the scene. The police will be necessary to file a police report, which can help you when the time comes to pursue a claim against a negligent driver who caused you to crash.
• Move Your Bike: If you are physically able to move the bike and the bike is not too damaged, you may want to move it to the side of the road if it is currently lying in the middle of the road. You do not want to accidentally cause another accident because your motorcycle was lying in the middle of oncoming traffic. If the bike is too damaged or you are too injured, just wait for assistance.
• Get Checked Out: Once the authorities arrive, let the police secure the scene of the accident while you are seen by the EMTs. Make sure you let them check you for any potential injuries, including a possible concussion, broken bones, bleeding, and any internal trauma you may not have noticed.
• Speak to the Police: Provided you are not too injured to speak, the police will likely want to speak to you about the accident. Refrain from admitting any fault for the accident. Accepting even partial blame can seriously hurt your chance of seeking compensation in your future claim. Even apologizing to the other driver can be considered admitting some sort of fault.
• Document the Scene: Once the police have finished questioning you and the EMTs have given you the all-clear, you can start documenting the scene of the accident for your own records. Take photographic evidence of everything you think might be relevant to your case, including your injuries, the damage to your bike, the damage to any other vehicles involved, the conditions of the road, any street signs or stop lights, and each vehicle’s position on the road.
• Gather Witness Statements: If there were any witnesses to the accident, be sure to speak with them thoroughly, write down or record their statement, and get their contact information in case you need to speak with them later.
• Record Key Information: Make sure you get the name, phone number, and insurance information of every driver involved in the accident. You will also have to give them your information. Make sure you jot down the make, model, and license plate number of every vehicle involved as well. If you are too injured to perform any of these tasks, do not worry about it. There is a good chance most or all of this information will be included in the police report, which you can access later.
• See a Doctor: As soon as the authorities clear the scene and allow you to leave, you may want to go see a doctor immediately. A medical professional can check you more thoroughly for internal injuries than an EMT can, and they can give you an accurate assessment of your injuries and a treatment plan you can follow.
• Follow Your Treatment Plan: When your doctor checks you for injuries, they will provide you with a treatment plan to follow for the foreseeable future. This treatment plan may include certain medications and when to take them, exercises, dietary restrictions, and other specifics that your doctor feels are necessary for your recovery. It is crucial that you follow this plan. Failure to do so can seriously impact your claim in the future. If you do not accurately follow your treatment plan, the insurance company of the other driver may be able to use this as evidence that your injury is not as bad as you claim or possibly even nonexistent. However, if you follow the treatment plan, it shows that you are dedicated to your recovery, which is crucial when setting a personal injury claim.
• Keep Evidence Preserved: Throughout your recovery, it is important that you keep a detailed record of every expense associated with your recovery. This includes hospital visits, medication costs, surgery costs, ambulance rides, physical therapy costs, and even repair costs for your motorcycle. Be sure to note how much work you may be missing because of your accident and any activities you are missing out on.
• Call Your Insurance Company: You should notify your insurance company of the accident as soon as you can. You will have to provide them with all the relevant details of your accident, but once again, do not admit any fault for the accident. If the other driver’s insurance company calls you, which they may, do not offer them any information they may be able to use against you. Simply tell them to speak with your lawyer.
• Do Not Fix Your Bike: Your immediate instincts regarding your motorcycle may be to get it fixed as quickly as possible. Try to refrain from getting it fixed just yet. Be sure that the damage done to the bike has been properly documented and assessed by your insurance company. Once you have that in writing, then you can get it fixed.
• Contact a Lawyer: Hiring an experienced motorcycle accident attorney can be one of the most important decisions you can make regarding your case. Your attorney can confidently handle your case and all communications with the other driver’s insurance company, as well as any insurance adjuster they may assign to handle your case. If needed, they can also work alongside a car accident lawyer to ensure that all aspects of your situation are addressed effectively. If you wish to pursue a claim on your own without the help of a motorcycle accident lawyer, there is no law that says you cannot. You may pursue any avenue that you feel will be most effective for you. However, it can sometimes be hard for an individual without legal knowledge and experience to successfully handle their own case. Having someone on your side who understands the ins and outs of personal injury law can only help you. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Detroit can strengthen your case in so many different ways, including:
  • Navigation: At this point in your case, your priority will likely be your recovery. You may be going to physical therapy, scheduling surgeries, and following a strict treatment plan. Let your lawyer navigate the case itself and let you focus on recovering from your accident.
  • Guidance: Your lawyer will likely have been through similar cases, so they will know what kind of guidance you may need to get through this. Your lawyer can help walk you through Michigan’s insurance laws, handle insurance companies, and show you what your options may be.
  • Maximization: If you try to handle your case alone, you may be unaware of just how much you could potentially receive in a settlement. Your lawyer knows exactly how much potential money is on the table, and they will work hard to ensure you are not taken advantage of by insurance companies looking to guilt or intimidate you into accepting a lower number.

FAQs

Who Pays the Medical Bills for a Motorcycle Accident in Michigan?

It can be difficult to determine who pays for the medical bills following your motorcycle accident in Michigan. Michigan’s “no-fault” auto insurance laws may cover your medical costs under personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, provided you have such insurance. In this case, you will have to fill out an application for no-fault benefits with your insurance company within a year of your accident. If a negligent driver caused the accident, you may be able to pursue medical coverage from their insurance.

What Should I Do If I Am in a Motorcycle Accident?

If you are ever in a motorcycle accident, it is vital that you take the necessary steps to protect not only yourself but your future insurance claim. First things first, do not panic. Keep a clear head and assess your situation. Check yourself for any obvious injuries. Make sure you call 911, get checked out by EMTs, and speak with the police. Document the scene of the accident for your records and exchange insurance information with the other drivers involved.

How Painful Is a Motorcycle Accident?

It depends entirely on the circumstances of your accident. However, due to the lack of physical protection for motorcyclists, an accident can be severely painful. A motorcycle accident can cause catastrophic injuries to the cyclist involved, especially if they are not wearing a helmet. A motorcycle accident can result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord trauma, severe road rash, chronic pain, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that can last a lifetime.

What Is the Average Payout for a Motorcycle Accident in Michigan?

It can be hard to determine the average payout for a motorcycle accident in Michigan. Every motorcycle accident case is different. Each case has its own specific set of circumstances unique to that individual case. If a similar case to yours results in a significant payout, that is not a guarantee that your case will have the same result. Certain factors have to be taken into consideration when deciding on a payout amount.

Reach Out to an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

Being involved in a motorcycle accident can be one of the most traumatic and frightening experiences of your life since motorcyclists are not afforded much practical protection while riding. The resulting injuries can be catastrophic and life-altering. In these cases, pursuing legal action against the responsible party may be a way to gain a sense of closure and be properly compensated for everything you have been through.

The legal team at Wigod & Falzon can help you seek compensatory damages in the wake of your motorcycle accident. We can help you build your case into its strongest version, gather the evidence that proves your claim, and help ensure that nobody takes advantage of you throughout this entire process. Our firm accepts payment on a contingency basis, meaning we will not get paid unless you do after winning your case.

Contact us to speak with one of our valued team members and to schedule a consultation.