Michigan Bicycle Accident Lawyers

The latest data on bicycle accidents makes clear that this is a growing public safety problem, both across the country and right here in Michigan.

Nationally, the numbers are alarming:

• 1,166 bicyclists were killed in traffic crashes in 2023, a 4% increase from 2022.
• 2023 also saw 49,989 bicyclists injured, an 8% jump from 2022.
• 81% of fatal bicycle accidents occurred in urban areas in 2023.
• That same year, intersections were the setting for 28% of bicycle fatalities.

In Michigan, the picture is similarly concerning:

• Bicycle accidents in Michigan rose 20% in 2024, with over 1,700 cyclists involved and 29 fatalities.
• From 2020 to 2022, 103 bicyclists were killed in Michigan—a 64% increase over the prior three-year period.
• In 2023, Detroit ranked 14th highest in cyclist fatality rates among U.S. cities with populations over 500,000.

Motor City now has 164 miles of bike lanes and 84 miles of shared lanes. However, cyclists regularly encounter drivers who violate traffic laws, as well as glass, potholes, and debris that force them into traffic. For the roughly 34% of Detroit residents who don’t own a car and might depend on cycling to get around, these hazards are a daily safety risk.

If you’ve been injured in a crash in Michigan or anywhere in the U.S., contact Fieger Law. We can assist in holding the responsible party accountable and securing compensation in a personal injury claim.

Bicyclists frequently sustain severe and life-changing injuries when involved in collisions with vehicles. These injuries include a range of physical trauma that can impact the victim’s quality of life and require long-term medical care.

• Traumatic Brain Injuries: Impacts to the head can lead to concussions, skull fractures, or more severe brain damage, affecting cognitive and physical functions.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Injury to the spinal cord may lead to partial or full paralysis, changing a victim’s way of life and necessitating ongoing care.
• Broken Bones: Collisions often result in fractures, ranging from simple breaks that may heal with time to complex fractures requiring surgical intervention.
• Internal Injuries and Bleeding: The intensity of a collision can lead to damage or bleeding of internal organs, creating potentially fatal conditions that require prompt medical intervention.

When you suffer a serious injury, you deserve compensation. Our skilled lawyers at Fieger Law have won millions for accident victims. We can put our experience and skills to work for your case, helping you receive coverage for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident

Being hit by a car while riding a bike is a traumatic, disorienting experience. Taking the right steps immediately afterwards can protect both your health and your ability to recover compensation.

• Get out of the roadway and call 911. Your safety comes first. Move out of traffic if you can, then call 911. Request both police and emergency medical services. Even if your injuries seem minor, get checked out—head injuries and internal trauma may not be immediately visible.
• Make sure a police report is filed. A police report is one of the most important pieces of evidence in a bicycle accident claim. It documents what happened, who was involved, and the responding officer’s initial findings. If your accident happened in Detroit, a crash report should be filed by the Detroit Police Department. You can obtain a copy of your crash report online through the Detroit Police Department’s records portal. If the crash occurred elsewhere in Michigan and was investigated by Michigan State Police, you can request the report through the MSP Traffic Crash Reporting Unit.
• Document everything at the scene. Photograph your injuries, your bike, the vehicle that hit you, the road conditions, skid marks, any bike lane markings, and the surrounding intersection or road. Get the driver’s name, contact information, license plate, and insurance details. Collect contact information from any witnesses before they leave.
• Understand your insurance rights in Michigan. Michigan is a no-fault state, which means you may be entitled to Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits, regardless of who was at fault. These can cover medical bills, lost wages for up to three years, transportation to medical appointments, care or nursing services, and household replacement services. PIP benefits are typically claimed through your own auto insurance policy—or through a spouse’s or resident relative’s policy if you don’t have one. If no policy is available, you may be able to file through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan. Note that you must file a PIP application within one year of the crash or you may lose these benefits permanently.
• Be careful with what you say and sign. Don’t admit fault at the scene, and don’t give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Adjusters are trained to minimize claims, and an offhand comment can be used against you later.
• Contact Fieger Law. Bicycle accident cases in Michigan can involve multiple insurance policies, complex no-fault rules, and a negligence claim against the at-fault driver all at the same time. An experienced bicycle accident attorney can help you navigate all of it—and make sure you’re not leaving compensation on the table while you focus on getting better.

When you work with a qualified attorney at Fieger Law, we can help you get full compensation for your injuries caused by a negligent party. We’ll investigate the accident, determine fault, and calculate the following damages for your settlement award:

Comparative negligence is a legal principle that might affect how much compensation you receive in your case. It acknowledges that in a personal injury case, both sides might have played a part in causing the accident.

In an accident, how much you’re at fault is determined by percentage, and this influences your compensation. For instance, if during a dooring accident you’re found 30% at fault because you and the driver were not paying attention, your compensation is reduced by 30%. So, you receive 70% of the total settlement amount.

Michigan uses a modified comparative fault system, which stipulates that if the injured party is found to be more than 50% at fault, they are ineligible to receive any compensation.

If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident and share some of the responsibility, the principle of comparative fault could impact your compensation amount. At Fieger Law, our team is ready to assist you in gathering evidence to establish the other party’s liability to secure the maximum settlement for you.

Choosing the right lawyers for a bicycle accident claim can protect your rights and increase your chances of receiving a fair settlement from insurance companies. At Fieger Law, our attorneys can offer the following services to help you win your case:

• Understand Complex Laws: We can use our legal knowledge to interpret and apply Michigan’s negligence laws to benefit your case.
• Maximize Your Compensation: We can thoroughly assess your damages, helping you get fair compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, and all accident-related losses.
• Negotiate with Insurers: We handle tough negotiations with insurance companies, preventing adjusters from pressuring you into a lowball settlement.
• Offer Strong Court Representation: We can provide aggressive representation in court if needed, to secure the damage award you deserve.
• Handle Legal Procedures: We handle every legal detail, from collecting evidence to managing paperwork, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

For over 70 years, the nationally recognized bicycle accident lawyers at Fieger Law have fought and won judgments for our clients. If you or a family member suffered from a bike accident, the skilled attorneys at Fieger Law can help.

Reach out to Michigan’s nationally recognized law firm for bicycle accident cases today to schedule a free consultation and begin your claim.