What Should I Do If I Was Injured in a Michigan Bicycle Accident?
Bicycle accidents have been a cause for concern in Michigan in recent years. Last month, a bicyclist was killed in a collision with a motor vehicle at an intersection on the west side of Grand Rapids. Statewide, bicyclist fatalities nearly doubled from 2019 to 2020, and on average, almost three bicyclists were injured every day last year. If you regularly travel by bicycle, it is important that you are prepared to handle a situation in which you are injured in an accident.
Reasons for Bicycle Accidents in Michigan
Michigan bicyclists are required to obey a number of state traffic laws, including using the right side of the road whenever possible; obeying traffic signs and yielding the right-of-way when appropriate; signaling stops and turns; and equipping their bicycles with functioning brakes, lights, and reflectors. Unfortunately, many bike accidents and injuries happen because a bicyclist fails to follow these laws.
However, another common cause for bicycle injuries is negligence on the part of the driver of a motor vehicle. As with other types of car accidents, drunk driving, distracted driving, and speeding tend to be common factors. A driver may also strike a bicyclist after failing to take notice of the bicyclist, failing to yield the right-of-way to a bicyclist at an intersection, or failing to maintain the three feet of space required by Michigan law when passing a bicyclist.
Options for Recovering Compensation
In the case of a collision between a bicycle and a motor vehicle, an injured bicyclist may have a few options for pursuing compensation. If the bicyclist has a car insurance policy with no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, this coverage can provide for a portion of medical expenses and lost wages. One benefit of PIP coverage is that it may be available even if the bicyclist is at fault for their own injuries.
When a bicyclist suffers serious injuries and the driver of the motor vehicle is at fault, it is also possible to pursue a personal injury claim. An injured bicyclist will need evidence of the driver’s negligence to support the claim. Recoverable damages include any medical expenses and lost wages that are not covered by PIP coverage, as well as non-economic damages for pain and suffering. If the at-fault driver lacks sufficient liability insurance, an injured bicyclist may be able to recover compensation through uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
Contact a Grand Rapids, MI Bicycle Accident Attorney
Bike injury cases can be complicated, and you may be unsure of the best way to proceed. Attorney John D. Tallman can help you decide on a plan of action and represent you in your efforts to recover fair compensation from the at-fault driver or through your insurance provider. For a free initial consultation, call our Kent County personal injury lawyer today at 616-361-8850.
Sources:
https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/grand-rapids/grand-rapids-bicyclist-killed-in-late-night-crash
http://publications.michigantrafficcrashfacts.org/2020/Quick_Facts.pdf
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/msp/Bike_law_ticket_book_ref_04_press_505969_7.pdf
https://www.lmb.org/2018/07/michigans-safe-passing-law-faq/
The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.
