The Legal Skill You Need.
The Compassion You Want.

Home K Personal Injury K Key Differences Between Michigan Car & Motorcycle Accidents

Key Differences Between Michigan Car & Motorcycle Accidents

There is nothing like the freedom of the open road, but as a personal injury law firm, we know better than anyone that accidents happen.

Whether you are a seasoned motorcyclist or a suburban driver in the state of Michigan, it is essential to have insurance for your vehicle and to understand which laws are in place should you be involved in an accident. The laws pertaining to car accidents and motorcycle accidents in Michigan are quite different. For this reason, we have broken down each of these key factors into separate explanations of the circumstances for motorcyclists and for drivers.

What Type of Insurance Coverage is Required for Motorcycles and Cars in Michigan?

Motorcycle Insurance: There is no getting around it. If you are a Michigan motorcyclist, you must have liability insurance to protect you in the event you suffer an accident. State law specifies that the owner or registrant of the motorcycle must have protection against property damage, injury or death.

Odd as it may seem, motorcycles in Michigan are not legally considered motor vehicles. For this reason, motorcyclists are not permitted the benefits of no-fault insurance, including what is known as personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. PIP in Michigan covers not just medical benefits in the event of a crash, but partial earnings and additional benefits.

Car Insurance: As with motorcycle insurance, Michigan drivers are required to have a certain amount of auto insurance protection. Currently, all drivers are required to have no-fault coverage, including both PIP and at least $20,000 worth of bodily injury coverage, which protects at-fault drivers from claims made for pain and suffering.

In Michigan, your PIP insurance will cover necessary medical expenses regardless of who caused the accident. In addition, if you are unable to work as a result of your injuries, PIP will pay a staggering 85% of lost income for up to 3 years following the car accident.

Collision coverage, which covers the cost of repairing damage to your vehicle, is not required in the state of Michigan, but is certainly a good idea to have.

What are the Laws for Car Accidents and Motorcycle Accidents in Michigan?

Motorcycle Accidents: If you are injured in a motorcycle accident in which a motor vehicle was involved, and you have Michigan’s required insurance, you can open a claim.

The statute of limitations, i.e, the date following the incident by which you must file a claim, is 1 year. For this reason, it’s important to take early action, and make a claim as soon as possible after a motorcycle accident.

Local motorcycle accident laws are complex, so we recommend a professional consultation to discuss your specific situation. Our team at Whiting Law is happy to discuss in detail with you if this may pertain to your case.

Car Accidents: Since Michigan is a no-fault state, if you are badly injured, PIP will cover your medical expenses and partial compensation for up to 3 years of lost wages should you be found unable to work due to your injuries.

If your case does end up in court, however, things can get a bit more complicated. If you are found partially at-fault, you may be entitled to a smaller portion of damages. For this reason, it’s essential to consult with a qualified attorney about your case details.

For car accidents, the statute of limitations is far longer than it is for motorcycle accidents. You have 3 years from the date of the accident to file a claim. Remember though, 3 years goes by fast and there is a lot of paperwork involved in these types of cases. We, therefore, recommend taking action as soon as you are able to do so.

If you have the misfortune to suffer from a motorcycle, or car accident, we highly recommend you seek out reputable personal injury law firm.

At Whiting Law, we are known for highly effective casework with the kind of personal touch only a specialized firm can provide. Motorcycle and car accident cases generate mountains of paperwork like medical bills, insurance forms, and property damage claims. Let our experienced personal injury team take on this burden for you. We have years of experience with motorcycle accident injury services and car accident injury services.

If you have been in a car or motorcycle accident in Michigan, call us for a free consultation today at 844-944-8464 (844-WHITING). We provide our honest opinion and with zero obligation. If you decide to sign with our firm, you do not pay us a cent unless we win.

We look forward to helping you get the recovery you deserve.