The number of Michigan motorcycle accidents has been rising for nearly a decade.  This includes the number of catastrophic motorcycle accidents, in which there is a personal injury or significant property damage, as well as fatal motorcycle accidents, which now account for a growing portion — now approximately 10% — of all fatal vehicular accidents.

There is some evidence that the increase in motorcycle accidents is connected to the worsening economy.  During warmer weather, statistics show that some people used their motorcycle more to commute to and from work.  Possible explanations for this include saving money on gas, shortening the commute, and the desire to enjoy riding more often.  Unfortunately, too often, drivers of cars, SUVs, and trucks ignore motorcyclists and fail to keep a proper lookout for them.  Then, when an accident happens, it is almost always the motorcyclist who is injured.

Some common causes of motorcycle accidents include:

• Other drivers failing to check their blind spots while switching lanes
• Other drivers rear-ending motorcycles
• Other drivers cutting off a motorcycle

A person who is injured in a motorcycle accident has several possible legal claims that arise out of the accident.  A biker may be able to submit a claim for No Fault insurance if the accident involved a car or truck.  Or the biker may be able to submit a claim for the insurance they have on the motorcycle, including PL/PD insurance or Med Pay insurance.  Finally, a biker may be able to sue the other driver if that driver caused the accident.

Because the motorcyclist’s legal rights will depend on the exact nature of his or her injuries and on the circumstances of the accident, the motorcyclist or a family member should contact an experienced Michigan motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible.  This will help the accident victim determine what he or she can do and will keep them from missing a deadline with the court or insurance company that could result in them forfeiting their rights.

If you would like more information about your rights after a Michigan car accident, you can order our FREE book, “The Ultimate Michigan Motorcycle Accident Handbook” by clicking on the book link. We will send it out immediately along with other important information.

For more information about Michigan car accident cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com. If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan car accident attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

As a lawyer whose firm represents clients injured in motorcycle accidents, my clients and other individuals often ask me about types of insurance they should buy for their motorcycles.  I am always happy to review someone’s insurance policy and give them my recommendation.

One question I am frequently asked is whether a biker should purchase Medical Payment insurance.  This type of insurance is commonly known as MED PAY.  MED PAY pays for medical expenses if you are involved in many types of accidents, including the following:

• An accident with another motorcycle
• An accident with no other vehicle, also called a single-bike accident
• An accident caused by a road defect

It is important to note that MED PAY does not pay for medical expenses incurred in an accident between a motorcycle and another motor vehicle like a car or truck.  But, in this type of accident, both the driver and the motorcyclist may be able to collect Michigan No Fault Insurance benefits, which would pay all their medical expenses.

MED PAY insurance policies can usually be bought in increments of $5,000.00, up to $25,000.00 in coverage.  I recommend bikers purchase as much of this insurance as they can afford to pay.  The reason I make this recommendation is because of how the insurance normally works.

Typically, MED PAY coverage is the primary insurance for a motorcycle accident, meaning it will pay benefits before your regular health insurance starts to pay.  It pays up to the MED PAY policy limit and then your regular health insurance kicks in. 

Since most people have health insurance through their employer, a sudden layoff or downsizing could leave you with little or even no insurance to cover the cost of your medical bills if you are involved in an accident.  If you do not have insurance coverage, you will be personally responsible for paying all of your medical bills.  However, MED PAY policies are relatively inexpensive compared to the cost of healthcare.

For more information about Michigan traffic accident cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan personal injury attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.