MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS

Think You have a Motorcycle Accident Claim?  Contact our office for a free no obligation consultation or call us toll free at 1-877-422-7749.

Each spring thousands of bikers in Michigan take to the roads to enjoy Michigan summer.  Unfortunately each summer many are seriously injured and even killed by negligent drivers.

The Barrix Law Firm successfully represents Motorcyclists and their families regarding these claims.  We fight to help Motorcyclists and their families recover lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering for these victims of negligence.

In Michigan, Motorcyclist are not covered by Michigan's No-Fault laws.  They are not considered motor vehicles under the law.  However, if a motorcycle is involved in an accident with an automobile, Michigan's No- Fault laws are triggered and apply.  You should have any motorcyle accident evaluated by the Barrix Law Firm.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT WITH AN AUTO.

• Stay Calm and Don't Panic - Make sure that you and your passengers are safe.  Call the Police and any emergency personnel as needed.
• Exchange information - Provide your license, insurance and registration to to the other party or police and require they do the same.  Verify what they tell you by looking at thier photo and thier information.
• Identify the Vehicle Owner as well as the Driver - Get the name and address of the person who owns the vehicle.  Michigan recognizes ownership liability.  The driver may not be the owner of the vehicle.  Write down the License plate of the vehicle.
• Witnesses - Get the names of all potential witnesses.  Don't rely on the police. Get addresses and phone numbers.
• Damages -  Make a diagram of the points of impact and damage to all vehicles.
• Diagram - Diagram the scene of the accident and the position of all vehicles at the time of the accident.
• Document - Keep  documents of everything including the pain and difficulties you have suffered.
• Get a copy of the Police Report immediately and contact the Barrix Law Firm.

Michigan is a No-Fault State.  This means that regardless of who is at fault in an accident that your own insurance company is required to pay most of your economic damages regardless of whether or not you are at fault.  This is called your First Party Benefits.  However, in motorcycle accidents the priority is different than regular auto accidents

Michigan Motorcycle Order of Priority

First Party Benefits include medical bills, wage loss, attenedant care, replacement services, and mileage reimbursement.  First Party Benefits are available to anyone who suffers an injury arising out of the use, ownership, operation or maintenance of a motor vehicle. 

Medical Bills

Medical bills from an auto accident are payable for life.  However, often times an insurance company will try to avoid their responsibilty to pay reasonable (in cost and necessity) medical bills actually incurred.  Sometimes there is a dispute over who should pay those medical bills between your auto insurance and your health insurance.

This dispute arises depending upon if you have coordinated benefits or uncoordinated benefits.  Uncoordinated benefits pay regardless of whether you have a health policy and coordinated benefits pay residual bills only after your health insurance pays first.

Contact our office if you have any disputes with your insurance company regarding the payment of medical bills at 1-877-4-BARRIX(1-877-422-7749).

Wage Loss

The Michigan No-Fault Law provides for an injured individual to recieve 85% of their wages if they are disabled from their employment do to an automobile accident.  The 15% difference is due to what taxes would equal.  Wage loss is limited to three years.  The insurance companies will often try to push an injured individual back to work before they are medically able.  Often they will use an insurance company payed doctor to clear you for work.  Any wage loss beyond three years may be recoverable in a third party claim.

This is a complicated area of the No-Fault Statute and you should contact our office if you have questions regarding your wage loss claims.

Attendant Care

Attendant care refers to nursing services do to the severity of an injury.  If you need home assistance or constant care the insurance company is responsible for these expenses.  If the insurance company fails or refuses to provide the attendant care you need contact our office for a free consultation or call toll free 1-877-4-BARRIX(1-877-422-7749).

Replacement Services 

Michigan's No-Fault law provides for replacement services for tasks and chores that your physician documents as tasks that you are unable to perform yourself.  These must be tasks that you would normally do yourself and you must have paid or promised to pay someone else to perform them yourself.  Michigan limits this benefit to three years.

Mileage Reimbursement

Michigan's No-Fault Law provides that if you are required to travel to and from doctor's appointments that you are reimbursed for the mileage traveled.  This is especially significant when you must travel long distances to see a specialists or therapist or frequent short distances.  If you have questions about mileage reimbursement contact our office or call toll free for a no obligation consultation.

Practice Motorcycle Safety

• Always wear a helmut (it is the law in Michigan)
• Be aware of your motorcycles limitations.
• Alsways make sure your lights are on and working.
• Be aware of your surroundings because other cars may not see you.
• Avoid riding in the rain.
• Obey all traffic laws.
• Watch for cars turning from sidestreets in front of your motorcycle.
• Dress appropriately for cycle riding (leather is preferrable, shorts are least desirable).
• Be sure to routinely maintain your cycle and its parts in proper working order.

Contact the The Barrix Law Firm for a free no obligation consultation where there is Never a fee unless we get money for you.  Remember Were here for you!  1-877-4-BARRIX(1-877-422-7749).