Michigan’s no-fault law can make it challenging to know who pays for the damages suffered in an accident. In every situation, it is best to speak to a motorcycle accident attorney to discuss your case since the intricate details play a role in what occurs. As your Lansing motorcycle accident lawyer, White Law PLLC can answer all of your questions for you.
How a Motorcycle Accident Victim’s Injuries Are Covered
In many situations, in a no-fault state like Michigan, when an accident occurs, the damages are paid by your insurance company rather than another person’s. The primary requirement for no-fault benefits to be awarded in a Michigan case is that the case must involve an automobile, and this is where it can become confusing. First, know that your vehicle does not have to come in contact with the vehicle, but it may have been involved in the crash.
If your motorcycle was not struck by a vehicle, but the actions of that driver caused you to be in a serious accident, you may still be able to file a claim. This may occur, for example, when a motorcycle rider is forced to swerve due to the actions of another person. If they did not, they could suffer even worse outcomes.
Yet, it is also very common for motorcycle accidents like this to be disputed by insurance companies as not qualifying for no-fault claims since there is no obvious indication that another car was involved. This is why it is critical to work with a Lansing personal injury lawyer who can guide and support you in proving your losses. With the help of a motorcycle accident attorney, it may be possible to pursue full and fair compensation in your case.
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Understanding Which Insurance Company Pays for No-Fault Benefits in a Motorcycle Accident
It can become confusing to know how your injuries as a motorcycle rider are going to be covered if you are in an accident with a car. Michigan law has a specific strategy in place that aims to determine who is responsible for paying for the losses incurred. Specifically, this falls under the state’s Order of Priority process.
This order is a list of specific factors that you must consider after an accident. You start at the top of the list, and if the fact does not apply to your situation, you move down the list to the next factor. This list assigns which insurance company must pay for the damages based on which insurer is highest on the list:
- The insurer of the owner or the registrant of the motor vehicle involved in the accident
- The insurer of the operator of the motor vehicle, if the operator is someone other than the registrant or owner
- The personal automobile insurer of the motorcyclist
- The personal automobile insurer of the owner of the motorcyclist or the registrant, if a policy exists
- The Michigan Assisted Claims Plan is applicable if every other situation does not apply
Make Sure You Know What the Michigan Assisted Claims Plan Is
The Michigan Assisted Claims Plan falls as the last resort when the other insurance companies are not required to cover the losses incurred by the motorcycle accident attorney. This plan assigns the claim to the insurance company to handle and payout and provides a $250,000 limit on medical payments. Before you take this step, be sure to speak to an attorney about your rights in this case.
We understand that you may be going through a difficult situation and we are ready to help however we can.
What Compensation You May Be Owed in a Motorcycle Accident Claim
In situations where you are hurt as a motorcyclist, fault does not matter as much as you may expect. In these situations, though, you are able to seek compensation through no-fault insurance benefits for many of the losses you have incurred related to that accident. Some of the no-fault insurance coverages that may apply in your case include:
- Loss of wages and income during a period where you could not work due to disability
- Payment of all of your medical bills related to the incident, including rehabilitation costs, medications, and emergency services
- Payment for attendant care services if you need support at home while you recovery
- Payment for changes made to your home to support your limitations, such as the investment in ramps
- Payment for the replacement or repair of your motorcycle
Many times, these types of losses are critically important to help you recover financially, but they do not do anything to make the situation easier for you to navigate. It is critical to maximize your compensation claims in these cases up to the letter of the law. Our motorcycle accident attorney can help you do that, and our case results tell that story.
You will always work directly with your attorney throughout your case.
The Importance of an Attorney After a Motorcycle Accident Case
There are many situations where a simple claim for medical losses and time missed at work does not justify what you are facing in your recovery after a long and hard case. That is why having a motorcycle accident attorney becomes critical. Let our attorneys help you with the following:
- Maximizing your claim to seek the coverage owed
- Determining if your case warranties a lawsuit to seek additional compensation for your losses
- Get guidance on determining what your long-term losses may be and what steps to take to recover them
With the help of a trusted attorney, you gain the knowledge and insight you need to pursue a fair claim. Do not assume that insurance companies will just take you seriously and provide you with fair compensation. Let our Michigan motorcycle accident attorney make sure that you know what your rights are, and read our testimonials to learn more.
Set Up a Free Consultation to Speak to Our Motorcycle Accident Attorney Now
Car insurance may pay for your motorcycle accident depending on the circumstances in your case and how well you can document those losses. Put our attorneys at White Law PLLC to work on your case, and let us pursue full and fair compensation for any losses you have. We offer free consultations to victims who are ready to take action.
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