Michigan Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Why Hire Us for Your Bicycle Accident Claim?

At LegalGenius, PLLC, we know how a bicycle accident can change your life. A single moment of motorist inattention can lead to injury, permanent disability, and even death. That’s why our legal team gives your case the attention it deserves and won’t settle for anything less than maximum compensation.

Below are some of the many advantages of working with our Michigan bicycle accident lawyers:  

• Experience Handling Bicycle Accident Cases: Our attorneys have decades of experience in getting results for bicycle accident victims. We know how to collect evidence, preserve it, and use it to make an injury claim stronger.
• Proven Track Record: We’ve successfully recovered compensation for hundreds of accident victims across Michigan. Our results demonstrate our ability to stand up to insurance companies and pursue maximum compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.  
• Commitment to Client Care:  We understand that recovering from a bicycle accident is stressful. Our attorneys offer clear communication, prompt updates, and compassionate guidance at every stage of your claim. You’ll never feel like just another case in our system.  
• Access to Resources: We collaborate with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and investigators to gather evidence and support your claim. This thorough approach ensures no detail is missed.

The right legal team can redefine your path to recovery after a bicycle accident. At LegalGenius, PLLC, our goal is to help you win the settlement or verdict you need to rebuild your life and secure your family’s future.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Recognizing what contributes to bicycle accidents not only promotes safety but also helps identify when another party was negligent. Here’s a closer look at some of the most common causes of bicycle crashes in Michigan:

• Distracted Driving: Distraction behind the wheel is one of the biggest threats to cyclists. Drivers checking their phones, adjusting navigation systems, or engaging in other activities take their attention off the road. Even a brief moment of inattention can have tragic consequences, especially at intersections or when sharing narrow lanes.
• Failure to Yield: Failing to yield while making a turn, merging, or entering roundabouts can lead to crashes. For instance, a driver making a left turn might misjudge a cyclist’s speed or fail to see them altogether. These errors are common in areas with high traffic volume and poor visibility.
• Dooring: In urban environments, “dooring” is a constant hazard. This happens when a parked driver or passenger opens their car door directly into a cyclist’s path. Because bike lanes are often positioned adjacent to parked cars, cyclists have little time to react. 
• Speeding: Higher speeds mean reduced stopping distances and increased impact force during collisions. Cyclists are especially vulnerable to drivers who disregard speed limits in residential areas or near bike lanes.
• Poor Road Conditions: Potholes, cracks, debris, and faded lane markings can all create hazards. Municipalities responsible for road maintenance may share liability if negligence in upkeep contributes to a crash.
• Driving Under the Influence: Impaired drivers often have delayed reaction times and reduced awareness. Accidents caused by intoxicated drivers are among the most preventable, yet they remain a leading cause of severe injuries and fatalities involving bicycles.

What to Do After a Michigan Bicycle Accident

When you’ve been struck by a motor vehicle while enjoying a bicycle ride, it can be hard to think about your next steps. That said, your actions immediately after the crash can lay the foundation for a successful bicycle accident claim. 

• Seek Medical Attention: Injuries from bicycle accidents may not always be visible. A collision can result in concussions, internal bleeding, or other conditions that show delayed symptoms. Even if you think you’re okay, have a medical professional evaluate you. Be sure to follow all recommended treatments and keep records of medical visits, diagnoses, and expenses.  
• Call the Police: A police report is an official record of the accident as well as an important piece of evidence for your insurance claim. When speaking with law enforcement, provide accurate details but avoid speculating about fault. Request a copy of the report or note how you can obtain it later.  
• Document the Scene: Take pictures and videos of your injuries, any damage to your bike, the vehicle involved, and surrounding conditions like skid marks or debris. If possible, include street signs or other indicators that establish the location of the crash. The more details you can gather, the stronger your evidence will be.  
• Collect Information: Exchange names, phone numbers, and insurance details with the driver involved in the crash. If witnesses are present, ask for their contact information as well. Witness accounts can support your version of events, especially if liability is disputed.  
• Avoid Discussing Fault: Avoid saying anything that could be interpreted as admitting fault. Even casual remarks like “I didn’t see you” might weaken your claim. Focus on documenting facts and letting your attorney handle discussions about responsibility. 
• Contact a Michigan Bicycle Accident Lawyer: Insurance companies often aim to minimize payouts, even when their client is clearly at fault. An experienced bicycle accident lawyer will handle communication with insurers, gather evidence, and handle the necessary legal steps so you don’t have to.

Compensation in a Bicycle Crash Case

If you’ve been hurt in a bicycle accident, you may be eligible for different types of compensatory damages. Below is an overview of commonly sought compensation in accident claims involving negligence.

Economic Damages  

These damages account for the financial losses directly linked to the accident. They are typically easier to calculate because they involve tangible costs, including:  

• Medical Expenses: This includes everything from emergency care and hospital bills to surgeries, medications, and ongoing physical therapy. Future medical costs related to the injury may also be included.  
• Lost Wages: If your injuries prevent you from working (either temporarily or permanently), you may be compensated for lost earnings. This can also extend to diminished earning capacity if your ability to work is reduced.  
• Property Damage: Repairing or replacing your bicycle and any other damaged property, like a helmet or phone, falls under this category.  

Non-Economic Damages  

Non-economic damages compensate for the less tangible, yet equally impactful, effects of an accident. They include:  

• Pain and Suffering: This loss reflects the physical discomfort and limitations caused by your injuries.  
• Emotional Distress: Many accident victims experience anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress, which can affect their quality of life.  
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injuries prevent you from participating in activities you once loved, this damage addresses that loss.  

The amount awarded in a bicycle accident case depends on several factors, including:  

• Severity of Injuries: Severe injuries typically result in higher compensation, not only because of increased medical costs but also due to the long-term physical and emotional consequences. For instance, a spinal injury may involve lifelong care and permanently altered living conditions.  
• Liability: Proving that the other party was at fault is key to recovering damages. Evidence such as witness statements, police reports, and accident reconstructions all make your case stronger. 
• Insurance Policy Limits: The at-fault driver’s insurance coverage can set a cap on what you can recover, although additional avenues like personal uninsured motorist policies may also apply.

Who Pays Your Bills After a Bicycle Accident?

If you own a car and have auto insurance, your policy will usually cover your medical expenses, regardless of who caused the crash. This includes hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, and even necessary in-home care. Additionally, no-fault insurance can cover a portion of your lost wages if your injuries prevent you from working.  

For cyclists who don’t own a car, determining which insurance policy applies can be more complicated. In these situations, the coverage may come from a family member’s policy or the policy of the at-fault driver.  

In cases of severe injury or death, you may have the right to file a liability claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance for damages not covered by your no-fault benefits. This might include pain and suffering or other non-economic losses. However, the amount you can recover often depends on the driver’s policy limits and the strength of the evidence proving their negligence.  

If the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance or flees the scene, your own uninsured motorist policy can step in to provide coverage. This type of policy can help with medical expenses, lost income, and more, depending on its terms.  

Michigan’s no-fault system simplifies certain aspects of accident recovery but creates challenges when coverage overlaps or disputes arise. For example, disagreements may occur about which policy should apply or whether certain treatments are necessary.

What If You Were Partly Responsible for the Accident?

Being partially at fault for a bicycle accident doesn’t mean you lose your right to recover damages. Michigan follows a comparative negligence system, which allows injured parties to seek compensation even if they share some responsibility for the crash. However, the amount you can recover depends on the degree of fault assigned to you.  

Here’s how Michigan’s comparative negligence law works:  

• If you are 50% or less at fault, you can still recover damages. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, if you are found 20% at fault and your total damages are $50,000, you would receive $40,000.  
• If you are more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover non-economic damages (like pain and suffering), but you may still be eligible for economic damages in certain situations.  

Determining fault in a bicycle accident involves analyzing evidence such as:  

• Traffic Laws: Were you following the rules of the road, such as riding in the correct direction or using designated bike lanes?  
• Driver Behavior: Was the motorist speeding, distracted, or otherwise negligent?  
• Road Conditions: Were there hazards that contributed to the crash, such as potholes or debris?  

Insurance companies and courts often weigh these factors to assign a percentage of responsibility to each party. A Michigan bicycle accident lawyer will resist any attempt by the insurer to saddle you with an unfair degree of blame so that you stand the best chance of getting fair compensation.

How Much Does a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Cost?

After a bicycle accident, you may wonder if you can afford to hire a Michigan bicycle accident lawyer. Medical bills, lost income, and other expenses can quickly add up, leaving you feeling stressed and worried about the future. 

At LegalGenius, PLLC, we believe that everyone deserves high-quality representation, regardless of their financial situation. That’s why our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything out of pocket to hire us. From the moment you reach out, we handle the costs associated with building your case, such as obtaining evidence, consulting experts, and managing paperwork.  

With a contingency fee structure, our payment depends on the outcome of your case. If we secure compensation for you, our fee is a percentage of the recovery. This arrangement aligns our goals with yours: our success is directly tied to achieving the best possible result for your case. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.