Jay Trucks & Associates, P. C.

Traverse City Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

FREE CASE CONSULTATION

No Fees Unless We Win

Motorcycle accidents can result in serious, life-altering injuries as motorcycles are smaller than passenger vehicles and riders are less protected from the elements. If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your medical expenses and other related damages. Reaching out to an experienced attorney can be an important part of the recovery process.


Jay Trucks & Associates has a proven track record, recovering over $500,000,000 in compensation for our clients. This includes a combined recovery of $600,000 for a husband and wife who were seriously hurt in a motorcycle crash and a $490,000 recovery for a carpenter’s apprentice that suffered multiple injuries in a motorcycle accident. Our lawyers have experience handling motorcycle accident lawsuits and can apply that knowledge to your damages claim.

I am very satisfied with the job done for me in my case. I could call either Jayson or his secretary at any time with questions and they were always patient with me.
– M. Graham

A Traverse City motorcycle accident attorney from our firm is ready to help during a free consultation. There is no risk in calling us to set an appointment and no obligation to hire us if we determine that you have a case. Should we represent you, there are no upfront fees. You only pay us if we successfully help you obtain compensation.


Call us to discuss your legal options. Call Now 989-254-6113989-565-9047.


Do I Have a Case for Compensation?

This is difficult to answer until our legal team reviews your situation during a free consultation. This will allow you the opportunity to explain what happened, how the accident led to your injuries, and who you think may be responsible for the harm you have suffered. We will then evaluate several factors to determine whether you have a valuable case for compensation. This includes assessing if negligence played a role in your injury.

Most personal injury cases follow the legal theory of negligence. We need to prove the other party owed you a duty of care, that duty of care was breached by the other party because he or she failed to act in a reasonable manner, and this breach directly resulted in your injury and caused you to suffer damages.

Since motorcycles are not classified as motor vehicles in the state of Michigan, these cases have an extra layer of complexity. Certain insurance policies may or may not cover the full extent of your damages. This is why we recommend contacting our Traverse City motorcycle accident lawyers for legal help.

Damages Available for Motorcycle Crash Victims

The damages that could potentially be available depend on your circumstances. The extent of your injuries, medical treatment and future care required as well as your anticipated recovery time will all need to be considered.

Motorcycle crash victims may generally be able to recover the following:

  • Medical expenses due to emergency services, hospital stays, surgeries and medications
  • Loss of wages from being unable to work for some time or in the same capacity
  • Loss of earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to work
  • Home care services if you require someone to help with daily living tasks
  • Damage done to your motorcycle or other personal property
  • Pain and suffering you have experienced during and since the accident
  • Loss of enjoyment of life in doing the hobbies or activities you one enjoyed doing
  • Funeral or burial costs for the unexpected and preventable loss of a loved one

Jay Trucks and Associates. Free Consultation. Ph: Call Now 989-254-6113989-565-9047


How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?

Motorcycle accident victims generally have one year from date of the crash to file a claim for no-fault insurance benefits. Failure to do so will likely result in losing your chances at pursing these benefits.

It is important to not wait until the last minute to file an insurance claim. You do not want to give the insurance company any reason to doubt your injuries or the validity of your claim. Our legal team is prepared to handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance company for you.

There is also a different deadline for taking legal action over a personal injury, including injuries sustained from a motorcycle accident. In these cases, you must file within three years from the date of the crash. Failure to file within this deadline will likely result in the court dismissing the case.

Certain scenarios could even cause the deadline to be shortened or extended. Learn more about your potential legal options by contacting a licensed Traverse City motorcycle accident lawyer from our firm.

Motorcycle Accident Insurance Claims

After being involved in a motorcycle crash in Michigan, you may be able to pursue compensation from your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, as required under the law.

However, as mentioned earlier, motorcycles are not considered motor vehicles. This means that there is no no-fault coverage for these types of vehicles. Luckily, you could still file a claim for compensation with the other driver’s no-fault coverage, regardless of whether the driver owns or leases the vehicle.

Should this coverage exceed your damages, you could file a claim against the no-fault coverage you may have on another motor vehicle in your possession.

PIP policies issued or renewed before July 1, 2020 provide unlimited coverage for medical expenses. Any policies bought after this date have limits selected by the driver:

  • Unlimited coverage
  • $250,000 in coverage
  • $500,000 in coverage

Aside from medical bills, no-fault coverage also helps pay up to 85 percent of wages you have lost from being unable to work for a maximum of three years.

The Other Driver Does Not Have Enough Insurance – What Do I Do?

If the other driver lacks insurance or enough to cover your damages, you may be able to file a claim with your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Motorcycle insurance claims can be complex, which is why we recommend speaking with one of our qualified Traverse City motorcycle accident lawyers. We know what it takes to build a strong case on your behalf.


Contact our office today by calling Call Now 989-254-6113989-565-9047


Passenger Rights After Being Injury in a Motorcycle Crash

Passengers injured in motorcycle crashes have certain rights under the law. They may be able to pursue compensation for any accident-related expenses from the same sources as the driver of the motorcycle.

The type and amount of damages that may be recovered will be determined on a case-by-case-basis. That is why it is important to meet with an experienced lawyer from Jay Trucks & Associates for more information.

How Does Not Wearing a Helmet Affect My Claim?

Michigan law requires all motorcycle riders under the age of 21 to wear a helmet. For riders over 21, you must have $20,000 in first-party insurance coverage and have passed a motorcycle safety class or have had a motorcycle license for at least two years.

Even if you were legally obligated to wear a helmet, you may still be able to pursue compensation for your injuries. It may be harder to recover compensation because the other driver’s insurance company and legal team may try to say that your injuries would have not been as serious if you were wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. The value of your claim may even be lowered according to your percentage of fault in accordance with the state’s comparative fault law, or be denied if you share more blame for the crash than the other driver.

What Are “No Contact” Motorcycle Accidents?

Sometimes a motorcycle crash is caused by a rider losing control of the bike. This could be due to mechanical issues, such as a tire blowout, poor road conditions, such as a pothole, or a weather-related issue that causes less visibility on the road. These are considered “no contact” motorcycle accidents because no other divers are involved.

It can be difficult to establish liability in these cases, but you may be able to pursue compensation against a product manufacturer or government entity.


Fill out a Free Case Evaluation form to get started.


Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents are often caused by someone else’s negligence. This negligent behavior could include:

  • Driving while distracted, such as texting, eating or using a GPS device
  • Speeding or driving recklessly
  • Failing to yield the right-of-way
  • Following too closely
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Disobeying traffic laws
  • Failing to check for blind spots
  • Weaving in and out of traffic

These reckless actions can result in head-on crashes, sideswipes, rear-end collisions and high-speed accidents, among others.

Get in Touch With a Traverse City Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle accident, it is in your best interest to contact a lawyer. Our Traverse City motorcycle accident lawyers have the knowledge, experience and resources it takes to conduct a thorough investigation to gather the evidence necessary to build a strong case on your behalf.

Call us to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to learn more about your rights and available legal options. There is no risk in calling us and no obligation to take legal action. If you have a case, there are no upfront fees. You only pay us if we obtain compensation for you.


Jay Trucks & Associates. Free Consultation. Ph: Call Now 989-254-6113989-565-9047