If you’ve been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in Grand Rapids, you may be facing mounting medical bills and wondering what to do if the medical benefits from your insurance policy or the personal injury protection (PIP) benefits from the vehicle that hit you aren’t enough. An experienced Grand Rapids motorcycle accident lawyer can help. With decades of experience, our personal injury law firm has helped injured riders recover the compensation they deserve.
How Does Michigan’s No-Fault Law for Motor Vehicles Impact Riders?
Michigan is a no-fault state for motor vehicle accidents, but motorcycles are excluded as a motor vehicle under Michigan’s no-fault law. Instead of PIP, riders are required to purchase liability coverage of at least 50/100/10: $50,000 for a person who is hurt/killed in an accident; $100,000 for each accident if several people are hurt/killed; and $10,000 for property damage. Optional medical benefits can be added to a rider’s policy in increments of $5,000 of coverage. Motorcyclists without at least $20,000 of medical coverage are required to wear a helmet while riding.
Will I Get PIP Coverage If a Car Hits Me on My Motorcycle?
If a rider is injured in an accident with a motor vehicle, regardless of fault, the PIP of the other vehicle will pay for reasonable and necessary medical expenses up to the selected coverage amount (along with lost wages, attendant care, and some funeral and burial expenses).
According to Michigan law, if a rider is injured in a motorcycle crash with a motor vehicle, they are entitled to PIP medical benefits from the motor vehicle owner’s insurer. If the car or truck driver has no coverage, the motorcyclist can seek PIP benefits in this priority order from:
- The driver of the motor vehicle
- The motor vehicle insurer of the operator of the motorcycle
- The motor vehicle insurer of the owner of the motorcycle
If there is no PIP coverage, riders are eligible for up to $250,000 in PIP benefits from the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan (MACP).
If injuries are severe—as they can be for motorcycle riders—seriously injured victims may be able to sue for additional damages, if the injured person is less than 50% at fault for the accident.
Do I Need a Lawyer in Michigan’s No-Fault System?
Motorcycle accidents often result in catastrophic injuries for the motorcyclist. In a no-fault insurance system like Michigan’s, if your motorcycle accident injuries are severe, you may be able to pursue compensation beyond the available PIP insurance or your own medical benefits. A Michigan motorcycle accident lawyer can help you determine if you have a valid motorcycle accident claim and which insurance companies’ policies may come into play.
Serious Injuries in Grand Rapids Motorcycle Accident Cases
MCL – Section 257.58c defines the types of injuries that qualify as a serious impairment of a body function and may be grounds for pursuing additional damages beyond no-fault insurance benefits. These may include:
- Severe injuries like the loss or loss of use of limbs—hands, feet, fingers, or thumbs
- Vision or hearing loss, as well as impairments to bodily functions
- Conditions like comas lasting more than 3 days or measurable brain or mental impairments
- Serious physical trauma—including visible disfigurement, skull fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and substantial bone fractures
- Loss of organs or internal injuries—subdural hemorrhages or hematomas
Compensation for Seriously Injured Motorcycle Crash Victims
In a motorcycle accident lawsuit involving serious impairment of a body function, additional damages beyond those provided by a no-fault insurer may include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
How a Motorcycle Wreck Lawyer Can Help Maximize the Value of Your Case in Grand Rapids
How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Case in Grand Rapids?
By Michigan law, you have three years from the date of a motorcycle accident to file a personal injury claim.
Contact Our Grand Rapids Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Today
Our law firm offers motorcycle accident victims a free consultation with a Grand Rapids motorcycle accident lawyer to review their cases, outline courses of action, and answer their questions.
(312) 223-1700