The biggest risk bicyclists face on the road is a collision with a motorist. Since bicycles offer no protection during accidents, collisions with cars usually result in severe injuries, and can often even be deadly. In Michigan, there were 1,248 bicycle-involved accidents in 2021, with 29 fatalities.
If you are injured by a negligent driver while riding your bicycle, you can file a claim to recover damages to you and your bicycle. Contact the attorneys at Fieger Law to help you understand legal options for your case and win you maximum compensation.
Do Cyclists Need Insurance?
While cyclists do not need to purchase insurance to ride their bicycles on public roads, our bicycle accident attorneys recommend that cyclists still purchase some form of insurance to protect themselves. Your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) auto insurance will provide medical and lost wage benefits after a bicycle crash if it involved a motor vehicle. If you opted out of purchasing PIP, you should instead still make sure to purchase uninsured motorist (UM) insurance and underinsured motorist (UIM) insurance.
These insurances offer coverage if you are involved in a collision with an underinsured or uninsured driver, even if you weren’t in a car yourself. Policy limits for UM/UIM insurance typically cover up to $50,000 per person or $100,000 per accident but don’t cover property damage.
Speak with a bicycle accident attorney at Fieger Law after an accident. We can help you file a claim to maximize your benefits through your PIP, UM, or UIM policy.
If you were injured by a car as a cyclist, but do not own a car or thus have no auto insurance, and are not covered by a spouse or relative’s no-fault auto insurance, you are eligible for no-fault benefits up to $250,000 paid directly by the state of Michigan.
Can a Cyclist Claim Against a Car?
Bicyclists can file a claim against a negligent car driver who causes an injury, and bypass PIP entirely, if their injury exceeds the “serious injury threshold.” This is typically an injury that causes permanent disfigurement or requires serious permanent or temporary lifestyle changes.
Examples include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Closed head injuries
- Internal injuries and bleeding
If you suffered severe, permanent or long-lasting harm in a collision with a car while riding your bike, speak with a personal injury attorney at Fieger Law. We can help you understand your legal options.
Who is at Fault When a Cyclist Gets Doored?
A common bicycle accident called “dooring” occurs when a parked motorist opens their car’s door into a bicyclist’s path, often throwing them from their bikes and leading to serious injuries. As with other accidents, liability depends on the circumstances.
Motorists must check to ensure their door opening will not interfere with the operation of any bicycles or other cars passing. Cyclists are rarely at fault for dooring accidents, as they are usually required by law to ride to the right of traffic and often cannot swerve to avoid doors opening. However, a bicyclist may be considered partially at fault if they were distracted—for instance, looking at their phone while riding, which made them miss seeing the car door opening ahead.
Contact a personal injury attorney with Fieger Law if you suffer a dooring injury. We can help you determine fault and navigate comparative negligence in Michigan, which can reduce or eliminate your compensation based on your percentage of fault.
What Do You Do if You Get Knocked Off a Bike?
If you are knocked off your bike, you may have a case against the person who knocked you off if you can prove the at-fault party’s negligence and that your damages were severe.
Immediately after the accident, seek medical care. Keep all records and follow your doctor’s treatment plan. As soon as possible, call a bicycle accident attorney. The legal team at Fieger Law can help you gather evidence from the scene, such as pictures or witness statements, instruct you on the next steps of the process, and begin building your case.
How Long Does It Usually Take to Settle a Michigan Cycling Accident Claim?
The amount of time it takes to settle a claim varies based on several variables, including whether it goes through PIP or as a third-party injury claim, the extent of your injuries and the amount of compensation needed, and whether you settle out of court. Straightforward cases can take a few months, while complicated or contentious cases can take a year or longer to resolve through the courts.
Working with an experienced attorney from Fieger Law can ensure a streamlined filing process and swift negotiations to speed up your settlement time.
Contact Fieger Law Today
If you have been involved in a bicycle accident, contact Fieger Law today to schedule a consultation. We take on cases from anywhere in the U.S. Our attorneys have years of experience handling serious bicycle accident cases. We will leverage this experience into a better outcome for you to help you rebuild your life after a bicycle accident.
