Grand Rapids Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Motorcycle accidents are often devastating for both victims and their families. Chronic pain and suffering, physical impairment, disabilities, lost wages and medical expenses can create a difficult and stressful situation.

From day one, my attorney and the office staff at Jay Trucks & Associates went above and beyond what I expected…
_{– D. Lathrop}

The attorneys at Jay Trucks and Associates understand the physical, emotional and financial challenges motorcycle accident victims may face after a serious crash. Our firm has represented thousands of cases throughout Michigan, recovering millions of dollars on behalf of our clients, including a $620,000 settlement for a motorcycle accident case where a husband suffered a fractured humerus and shoulder injury and his wife suffered a closed head injury and ankle fracture.

If you or someone you know was injured in a motorcycle accident, consider contacting a Grand Rapids motorcycle accident attorney at Jay Trucks and Associates to see if you may qualify for financial compensation. We charge no fees unless we win compensation for your claim.

Call (800) 762-8623 anytime, 24/7.

Compensation We May be Able to Pursue

Since motorcycles do not provide much of any protection around the rider, the damages that result from a serious accident could be significant.

If you have a viable claim, the attorneys at Jay Trucks and Associates are here to help you recover the maximum compensation available, such as:

• Medical costs – Our goal is to make sure you are financially covered for past, present and future medical costs for doctor’s visits, surgeries, medications, medical devices, physical therapy and any other medical intervention.
• Loss of income – This refers to lost wages from days of work missed and a loss of earning capacity if your injury hurts your ability to continue working in your career.
• Property damage – This typically refers to costs of repairing or replacing your motorcycle, or repairing or replacing other property that was damaged.
• Pain and suffering – The physical pain and psychological suffering you or your loved one endured may not have a definitive monetary value, however, you could be compensated for these hardships.

Our Grand Rapids motorcycle accident attorneys have in-depth knowledge on how to accurately calculate the value of the damages you suffered.

How Do I Know if There is a Case?

Our attorneys must prove your damages were caused by the negligence of another party. This is a complex legal theory with four separate parts that must be established.

The Existence of a Duty of Care

The at-fault party had a legal obligation to take reasonable measures to avoid causing harm to himself or others. If you were injured in a sideswipe collision, the other driver had a duty to look before changing lanes and allow you full use of the lane you were in.

Duty of Care was Breached

Using the example above, violating right-of-way laws could be considered a breach of the duty of care. There are many other forms of reckless driving that could be a breach of a duty of care.

A Causal Link Exists

You must prove that there is a direct link between your injuries and the breached duty of care. Evidence such as pictures, medical records and police reports may help prove this link.

Damages were Created

There must be proof you sustained tangible losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages and property damage. This can be proven with things like medical bills, letters from your employer and receipts for repairs to your motorcycle.

Our Grand Rapids motorcycle attorneys understand how to prove negligence in an accident because we have taken on thousands of cases and have a track record of success. We are prepared to work on proving your case, so you can rest and recover from your injuries.

Schedule a free case review today by calling Jay Trucks and Associates at (800) 762-8623.

Ways a Licensed Lawyer Can Help

There are multiple advantages to hiring a licensed lawyer from Jay Trucks & Associates. We welcome your call to discuss how we are prepared to assist you, if we validate your claim.

Gathering and Preserving Evidence

If you decide to let us represent your claim, our legal team can handle the investigation, including gathering evidence at the scene, along with any available video footage. We can also obtain relevant medical records and the police report, on your behalf.

Interviewing Witnesses

Our attorneys can interview witnesses to your accident and determine if they can provide evidence to strengthen your claim.

Consulting Experts

Our attorneys have access to expert witnesses who can be brought in to testify about certain aspects of your claim or provide insight to help us build a case or calculate the value of damages. For example, we may want to bring in an accident reconstructionist to rebuild the scene of the accident to help determine how the crash happened.

Investigating the Other Driver

If the other party has a history of traffic citations or drunk driving offenses it could strengthen your case against them, particularly if the other driver was cited for a traffic offense for the crash.

Communicating with Insurance Adjusters

An insurance adjuster may contact you immediately after the accident to fish for information to use against you. It is important to limit what you say to the basic details, like when and where the accident occurred. If you say too much, you may unknowingly give them something to use against you to devalue your claim. Our lawyers know how to properly handle communication with insurance adjusters to protect your injury claim.

Negotiating Fair Compensation

Our lawyers have the knowledge and experience to accurately determine the value of compensation for past, present and future medical needs and other damages.

Michigan’s Motorcycle Insurance Requirements

The state of Michigan does not classify motorcycles as motor vehicles. Unlike drivers, motorcycle owners are not required to purchase no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) insurance to cover their medical bills and lost wages after a crash.

However, after a crash you may be able to obtain no-fault insurance benefits in the following order:

• The other vehicle owner’s insurance policy
• The driver of the other vehicle, if this person is not also the owner
• Your own no-fault insurance policy for another motor vehicle you own

If the no-fault insurance policy you file a claim against was bought or renewed before July 1, 2020, there is unlimited coverage for medical bills.

Policies purchased after that date may not have unlimited coverage. Under the Auto Insurance Reform Law, drivers can choose unlimited coverage or $250,000 or $500,000 of coverage. Medicaid enrollees can select $50,000 in coverage and those enrolled in Medicare can forego PIP coverage.

When no no-fault coverage is available, crash victims may be able to file a claim with the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan, which had a coverage limit of $250,000 as of June 11, 2019.

Another option for covering medical bills is purchasing medical benefits coverage. This is available in increments of $5,000 up to the limits set by the policy.

Our Grand Rapids motorcycle accident attorneys have in-depth knowledge of Michigan insurance laws and how to pursue compensation for motorcycle crash victims.

What Happens if the Driver is Uninsured?

Compensation may still be available. This may be a situation where you can turn to your medical benefits coverage or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This is a complex issue that you should discuss with a licensed attorney.

Can Injured Passengers Pursue Compensation?

Passengers should be able to pursue compensation from the same sources as the rider. Passengers may also be able to seek compensation from their own insurance coverage, which might include no-fault benefits.

Have questions about the legal process? Call Jay Trucks and Associates at (800) 762-8623.

What if my Accident Involved No Other Drivers?

If your motorcycle accident was caused by something other than another driver, such as bad weather, poor road conditions or mechanical problems on your bike, you may still be able to file a claim for compensation. These are called no-contact accidents, and third parties like product manufacturers or government entities may be liable for your injuries.

However, the burden of proof is on you, so it is important to have a trusted attorney working with you.

What if I Was Not Wearing a Helmet?

Even motorcycle crash victims who were not wearing helmets may be able to file claims. The insurance company may claim your injuries were made worse by not wearing a helmet, so your attorney may need to refute these claims.

Insurance companies and juries may use Michigan’s law on comparative fault to attempt to reduce the value of your damages. Under this law, compensation awards are reduced according to the victim’s percentage of fault. You are prohibited from seeking compensation from parties who are less at fault for the accident than you.

Helmet Law in Michigan

You are not required to wear a motorcycle helmet if you are over the age of 21 and have:

• $20,000 in medical benefit coverage
• Had a motorcycle endorsement for a minimum of two years
• Passed an approved motorcycle safety course

Riders under the age of 21 are required to wear helmets in Michigan.

Call Jay Trucks and Associates today at (800) 762-8623.

Is There a Deadline to File My Claim?

You have one year from the date of the crash to file a claim for no-fault insurance benefits. There may be other deadlines for other coverages in your policy.

While most cases are resolved through an insurance settlement, sometimes it may be necessary to take a case to trial, which is only possible when there is a serious or permanent injury or the victim dies. Our licensed attorneys are always prepared to go to court when necessary.

Under the Michigan statute of limitations, personal injury claims must be filed within three years of the accident or the victim’s death. However, your deadline might be slightly different, depending on your circumstances. Regardless, if you fail to file by the appropriate deadline, you will likely lose the right to pursue compensation in court.

It is important to seek the assistance of a qualified Grand Rapids motorcycle attorney to determine the correct deadline for your claim.

Types of Motorcycle Accident Cases

Our firm is prepared to handle cases involving many kinds of accidents, such as:

These crashes often result from driver negligence. Common examples of this may include:

The injuries that result from another driver’s negligence are often severe, including:

Seek Help from a Grand Rapids Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

You can speak to a qualified legal professional today at Jay Tucks & Associates about your motorcycle accident claim in a complimentary consultation. Our lawyers are ready to handle the entire legal process on your behalf so you can concentrate on recovering from your injuries.

Our attorneys are prepared to hold negligent parties liable for your medical bills, lost income and pain and suffering. You will not be charged any legal fees unless we can successfully recover fair compensation for your motorcycle accident claim.

The initial consultation is free of charge and there is no obligation to take legal action.

Jay Trucks and Associates Phone: (800) 762-8623