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If you or someone you love rides, you know the freedom of the open road. But you should also know that when a collision occurs, the legal “rules of the road” in Michigan shift. At Michigan Accident Attorneys, we believe every rider deserves to be protected by the facts.
Here are five critical things you likely do not know about motorcycle accidents in our state.
1. Motorcycles are NOT “Motor Vehicles” Under Michigan No-Fault Law
This sounds like a contradiction, but under the Michigan No-Fault Act, a motorcycle is not considered a “motor vehicle.”
- Why this matters: Because a motorcycle isn’t a “motor vehicle,” your motorcycle insurance policy does not automatically provide you with Personal Protection Insurance (PIP) medical benefits. You only get No-Fault medical benefits if a “motor vehicle” (a car or truck) was involved in the accident.
2. There is a Unique “Order of Priority” for Your Medical Bills
If you are hit by a car while on your bike, you don’t look to your own motorcycle insurance for medical coverage first. Instead, Michigan law follows a strict order:
- The Insurer of the Owner of the Car: The insurance company of the car involved pays your benefits.
- The Insurer of the Driver of the Car: If the owner is uninsured, the driver’s insurance is next.
- Your Own Auto Policy: If you have a separate car or truck with No-Fault insurance, that policy comes third.
- The Michigan Assigned Claims Plan (MACP): If no other insurance exists, the state-run MACP will assign a company to handle your claim (usually capped at $250,000 in medical coverage).
3. Your Injuries Are Often “Catastrophic” by Legal Standards
Because riders lack the protection of a steel frame and airbags, even a low-speed “fender bender” for a car can be life-altering for a motorcyclist. We frequently see:
- Road Rash & Skin Grafting: Serious infections and permanent scarring.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Even with a helmet, the force of impact can cause long-term cognitive issues.
- Complex Fractures: Injuries to the lower extremities are the most common in motorcycle crashes.
Because these injuries are often permanent, they frequently meet Michigan’s “Legal Threshold” for a Third-Party Lawsuit, allowing you to sue the at-fault driver for pain and suffering.
4. You May Face “Biker Bias” from Insurance Adjusters
There is an unfair stigma that motorcyclists are inherently “risk-takers.” After an accident, insurance adjusters may try to shift the blame onto you, claiming you were speeding or lane-splitting, even when the car driver was clearly at fault.
Overcoming this bias requires a thorough investigation. We use accident reconstruction and witness statements to prove that you were a responsible rider who was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
5. The $250k Medical Limit vs. Unlimited Coverage
Under the 2020 Michigan No-Fault reforms, drivers can now choose different levels of medical coverage. If you are a motorcyclist and the car that hit you has a “capped” policy (like $250,000), your medical benefits may run out quickly.
If your medical bills exceed the car driver’s policy limit, you may be left with massive debt unless you have a legal team that can pursue the at-fault driver for those “excess” medical costs.
Protecting Your Ride and Your Future
A motorcycle accident is more than just a legal case; it is a recovery journey. You shouldn’t have to spend your energy fighting an insurance company that doesn’t understand the unique nature of riding. If you or a loved one was injured in a motorcycle crash in Michigan, contact Michigan Accident Attorneys for a free consultation. Our team is ready to evaluate your case, explain your options, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
