Ann Arbor Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Experienced and Reliable Ann Arbor Bicycle Accident Lawyers

We Hold Negligent Drivers Accountable for Your Bicycle Accident Injury

Ann Arbor residents rely on bicycles to get to different parts of the city, whether to work, school, or run errands. As such, car drivers must pay close attention to bicycle riders and avoid entering the designated bike lanes. However, despite the safety rules and laws put in place to protect bicyclists, accidents still occur, leaving vulnerable bicycle riders with severe injuries.

Thankfully, injured bicycle riders have a right to financial compensation and can bring a claim against a negligent driver who caused their accident. This is where our Ann Arbor bicycle accident lawyer at Goodman Acker, P.C., comes in. Our bicycle accident lawyers have helped several bicycle accident victims recover compensation from negligent vehicle drivers.

We can help you protect your rights and hold the responsible party accountable for the harm they caused you. Our initial consultations are free, so call us at 248-286-8100 to schedule one with our bicycle accident attorney.

Why Choose Our Ann Arbor Bicycle Accident Lawyer to Represent You?

When accidents occur, no one is ever truly prepared for them, especially for the physical, financial, and psychological difficulties that come with them. At Goodman Acker, P.C., we understand accident victims’ hardships and are committed to providing them with trustworthy representation. We are compassionate yet aggressive in our approach to get you justice.

At Goodman Acker, P.C., we have a 99% success rate and take a personalized approach to every case we handle.

Our legal team has decades of experience and understands the Michigan legal system and laws. We will guide you in making the best decisions for your case and represent your interests before the at-fault party’s insurer and their legal representatives. Our services are on a contingency fee basis, so we do not get paid until we secure a favorable outcome.

Contact us at 248-286-8100 to learn more about how we can help you.

What Causes Bicycle Accidents in Ann Arbor, Michigan?

Bicyclists are one of the most vulnerable road users in Michigan, and there are about 25 bicycle fatalities yearly in the state. According to the Michigan State Police (MSP), between 2017 and 2021, Ann Arbor had 244 bicycle accidents. These accidents occur due to several reasons, including the following:

• Failing to yield and disobeying traffic signals or lights
• Excessive speed
• Motorists crossing into marked bicycle lanes, sidewalks, and crosswalks
• Motorists making unlawful turns at intersections
• Drunk and distracted driving
• Sideswiping bicyclists
• Driving too fast for road and traffic conditions
• Overtaking a bicyclist at an unsafe distance, etc.

These accidents can result in various injuries, including broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, cuts and bruises, etc. Irrespective of the degree of severity of your injury, ensure you get medical treatment, as the medical record is a crucial piece of evidence for your case.

Michigan Bicycle Law

In Michigan, bicycle riders, like other road users, are expected to follow the road’s rules and operate their bikes safely. This means they should follow the posted speed limits, traffic lights, and signs. Also, bicyclists must stick to the sidewalks and designated bicycle lanes and yield the right of way to pedestrians.

Michigan does not have laws mandating bicycle riders to wear helmets, but it is advisable to do so to avoid head injuries if an accident happens. If a vehicle crosses into a bicycle lane and hits a bicyclist, the driver will likely be liable and required to compensate the injured bicyclist. The preceding is the same when a car enters a sidewalk and strikes a pedestrian.

Recovering Compensation Under the Michigan No-Fault Law

Under Michigan law, an injured bicyclist can recover no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) insurance benefits. It pays for the injured bicycle rider’s medical bills, lost wages for the time away from work, transportation costs for traveling to and from doctor’s appointments, household replacement services, and attendant care services.

To recover no-fault benefits, you must file an application, known as a “Written Notice of Injury,” with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. The application must be filed within one year from the crash, or you’ll lose the no-fault benefits. Aside from the latter, injured bicyclists can also receive pain and suffering compensation if the at-fault driver has liability insurance coverage.

The liability insurance coverage also covers excess medical expenses and lost wages. Michigan law mandates drivers to have this insurance policy, and it comes with the following limits:

• Not less than $250,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident.
• Not less than $500,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident.

If the driver involved works with Uber or Lyft or is a commercial truck driver, the liability insurance may be higher. If the bicyclist dies in the accident, their dependents and family can file a wrongful death lawsuit to receive compensation. Our wrongful death lawyers at Goodman Acker, P.C., can help you get compensation after a loved one’s death.

What Compensation Will Our Ann Arbor Bicycle Accident Lawyers Get You?

Our attorneys will calculate your case’s worth and ensure it covers your economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages cover the financial losses from an accident, and examples are:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Cost of repairing or replacing your bicycle
• Out-of-pocket expenses, etc.

On the other hand, noneconomic damages compensate for non-financial losses, like:

• Loss of consortium
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish/emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of companionship, etc.

Economic damages are easy to calculate because they have a fixed dollar value. Also, you can determine the amount with evidence like pay stubs and receipts for medical treatment, medication, therapy, etc. Knowing the sum of noneconomic damages is more difficult as they don’t have a fixed amount.

So, we use a multiplier method to determine what you are entitled to as noneconomic damages. We pick a number from one to five based on your case facts and use it to multiply the total amount of economic damages. In cases of gross negligence, you may be entitled to exemplary damages, significantly increasing your compensation amount.

Ann Arbor Bicycle Accident Lawyer FAQs

Bicycle accident victims often have questions about the claims process, what to expect, and whether they need an attorney. The following are some of the questions we encounter frequently:

How long does it take to conclude a bicycle accident case?

There is no fixed timeframe for when a case concludes. If the at-fault party is willing to settle, it might finish within weeks or months, but if it becomes a court case, it could take months. This is because there are diverse pre-trial stages, and the court’s calendar might be packed with other cases.

I was partly at fault for my bicycle accident. Can I still recover compensation?

Yes. You can still receive financial compensation even if you are partly at fault for the bicycle accident under Michigan’s comparative negligence law. If you are 20% at fault, you will receive 80% of the awarded compensation. But this is only possible if your fault percentage is not more than 50%.

Do I need to hire a Lawyer for my bicycle accident case?

Not necessarily. But it is always advisable to get legal representation as the at-fault party’s insurance company will have one. Also, your lawyer would have experience dealing with insurance companies and will keep them from bullying you and forcing you to accept a low-ball compensation.

How long do I have to file a bicycle accident lawsuit in Ann Arbor, Michigan?

You have three years from the accident date to file a bicycle accident lawsuit. Once the time elapses, you can no longer file a court case, as you will be statute-barred.

These may not be your only questions; our attorneys will discuss your specific concerns in your initial consult.

How Our Ann Arbor Bicycle Accident Attorney Can Help

Our legal team will get to work immediately if you retain our services and will start gathering the evidence needed to get a favorable outcome. This includes obtaining a copy of the police report, images, and videos of the crash scene, talking to witnesses, and engaging an accident reconstructionist if needed. We will also look into the at-fault driver’s driving history to determine if they have a pattern of breaking traffic rules.

Also, we will examine your medical records to understand the extent of your injuries and medical bills. We will also negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurer on your behalf and commence a lawsuit if they refuse to settle. Finally, we will represent your interest in court and argue before the jury in your favor.

We Can Help You with Your Bicycle Accident Case

At Goodman Acker, P.C., our attorneys will carefully examine your case and provide the best option for you. We will be with you every step of the way and provide regular updates on your case’s progress. Contact us now at 248-286-8100 to book a free review.

LEGALLY REVIEWED BY BARRY J. GOODMAN

Barry J. Goodman has devoted his professional life to keeping courthouse doors open for victims seeking justice. Always a tireless advocate for his own clients, Goodman sees his responsibility as a Detroit personal injury attorney in a broader sense as well. [ Attorney Bio ]