Motorcycle accidents can cause devastating injuries even when the collision occurs at relatively low speeds. Riders have little protection from impact, and injuries involving the brain, spinal cord, broken bones, and permanent disability are unfortunately common.
But the severity of the injuries isn’t the only thing that makes these cases different. Michigan’s no-fault insurance system treats motorcycles differently from ordinary passenger vehicles. The rules governing medical benefits, liability claims, helmet use, and insurance coverage can make determining who pays after a motorcycle crash surprisingly complicated.
Understanding these differences can help injured riders avoid mistakes that jeopardize valuable benefits or compensation.
Michigan’s No-Fault System Treats Motorcycles Differently
Michigan generally operates under a no-fault automobile insurance system, but motorcycles occupy a unique position within that system.
Michigan’s No-Fault Act does not include a motorcycle within its general statutory definition of a “motor vehicle.” However, special provisions address motorcyclists injured in accidents involving motor vehicles. This distinction can significantly affect where an injured rider turns for no-fault benefits after a collision.
In other words, you should not assume that an accident involving your motorcycle will be handled the same way as a crash involving two cars.
Who Pays Medical Bills After a Motorcycle Accident?
When a motorcyclist is injured in an accident involving a motor vehicle, Michigan law establishes an order of priority for determining which insurer is responsible for Personal Protection Insurance (PIP) benefits.
Generally, the priority begins with the insurer of the owner or registrant of the motor vehicle involved in the accident, followed by the insurer of the motor vehicle’s operator. If coverage is unavailable at those levels, other statutory sources may need to be considered.
That is a major difference from an ordinary auto accident and one reason identifying every vehicle and insurance policy involved in the crash is so important.
What If No Car or Truck Was Involved?
This distinction can become particularly important in a single-motorcycle accident.
If a rider simply loses control of a motorcycle and crashes without a qualifying motor vehicle being involved, the same PIP framework that can apply when a motorcycle collides with a car may not apply.
For example, a motorcycle crash caused by loose gravel or a dangerous roadway may present very different insurance questions from an accident in which a negligent driver turns left in front of the motorcycle.
Determining precisely how the accident happened is therefore critical before assuming no-fault benefits will cover the rider’s losses.
Serious Injuries Can Make Motorcycle Claims More Complex
Since motorcycles provide virtually no structural protection, riders can suffer injuries requiring extensive treatment and lengthy periods away from work.
Common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord and back injuries
- Multiple fractures
- Road rash and scarring
- Internal injuries
- Amputations
- Permanent mobility limitations
A serious claim may need to account not only for current medical bills but also future treatment, rehabilitation, reduced earning capacity, permanent impairment, and the long-term effect of the injury on the rider’s life.
Does Michigan’s Helmet Law Impact Your Claim?
Michigan does not require every motorcyclist to wear a helmet. Riders and operators who meet statutory requirements may legally ride without one.
However, helmet use can still become an issue in an injury case. If a rider suffers a head injury while not wearing a helmet, an insurance company or defendant may attempt to argue that the rider’s conduct contributed to the severity of the injury.
Whether such an argument succeeds depends on the facts and applicable law. Riding without a helmet does not give another motorist permission to drive negligently, nor does it automatically make the motorcyclist responsible for causing the collision.
Why Legal Guidance Matters
Michigan motorcycle accidents combine serious injury issues with insurance rules that differ significantly from ordinary automobile claims. Determining which insurer owes benefits, whether a motor vehicle was sufficiently involved, and what additional damages may be pursued from an at-fault driver can require careful legal analysis.
That’s why Duff Law is here to help. Make sure you reach out for your first consultation today.