Some of the worst injuries our firm sees involve bicycle accident collisions involving a car or truck. With a person completely exposed, the bicycle rider is left unprotected and can sustain life-altering injuries. These injuries include traumatic brain injury, concussion, broken bones, back injury, scarring and emotional trauma. The Sterling Heights bicycle accident lawyers at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm can help remove the burden and get the monetary compensation you deserve.
Our Sterling Heights personal injury lawyers can also assist you in the payment of medical bills and lost wages. Contact the Lee Steinberg Law Firm today at 248-352-7777 for a free consultation and find out your legal rights.
Who Pays My Medical Bills After a Bicycle Accident After a Collision
When a bicyclist is hit by a person driving a car or truck, then the bicyclist is entitled to Michigan no-fault benefits. This is true even if the bicyclist rider does not have auto insurance or even owns a vehicle. No-fault benefits consist of things like the payment of medical bills and lost wages. These are also known as first-party benefits.
There is an order for who pays the medical bills and lost wages after a crash on a bike. In general, this order is the following:
1. The auto insurance for the injured biker.
2. The auto insurance of a resident relative. This is a blood relative who resides in the same household and has car insurance.
3. The Michigan Assigned Claims Plan (MACP). The MACP is an insurance run organization created by the state of Michigan. It allows an injured bicyclist to receive up to $250,000 in medical benefits from an auto insurance carrier, so long as a car or truck was involved in causing the injuries.
Private health insurance may also be on the hook for the payment of medical bills following a collision with a car or truck. Let our Sterling Heights bicycle accident lawyers assist you in figuring out the correct car insurance company to pay your bills and lost income.
Why Choose Our Sterling Heights Bicycle Accident Lawyers
The Lee Steinberg Law Firm has 50 years of experience in helping Sterling Heights and Macomb County residents get the justice and compensation they deserve. We have obtained hundreds of millions in settlements and verdicts for our clients. In addition:
- There are no fees or costs until we win. Our firm works on a contingency-fee basis. This means we don’t charge anything until we win your case.
- We have decades of experience in handling bicycle accident cases. We have represented injured riders of all types, from small children to active adult bicyclists.
- Compassionate attorneys. Our lawyers and legal professionals meet with our clients and keep them updated. You will be with the same team from the beginning and it is our goal to make you feel good about the process.
- We are aggressive. The insurance company and lawyers for the negligent driver will delay and deflect blame. It is important to have a great Sterling Heights bicycle accident lawyer on your side to fight them. We go the extra mile to prove you were not at fault, from obtaining video footage and interviewing witnesses, to hiring accident reconstruction experts and investigators.
How Does an Injured Person Get Pain and Suffering After a Bicycle Accident
After a bicycle crash in Sterling Heights, the injured bicycle rider can get compensation for their pain and suffering. However, under Michigan law, they must prove a couple things.
1. Liability. The bicyclist must prove the driver was at least 50% at-fault for causing the crash. This is called negligence. The police tend to be prejudicial to bicycle operators. But a police report that puts the rider at fault is not the end of your case. Instead, witnesses, video, and the credibility of the injured person and the driver are very important.Â
2. Injury. The bicyclist must prove he or she is injured.
3. Causation. The bicyclist must prove the injuries sustained were caused by the accident with the driver. Old injuries that are made worse or aggravated are included.Â
4. Threshold injury. Under Michigan rules, the injured person must prove he or she sustained a threshold injury. Just because a driver was not negligent and you got injured does not mean you automatically get pain and suffering. Our experienced Sterling Heights bicycle accident lawyers can walk you through this process and what this means.Â
What are the Bicycle Riding Laws in Michigan? Â
Drivers in Sterling Heights, Warren, Clinton Township, Shelby Township, and other Macomb County communities must understand they are obligated to safely share the road with bicyclists. In fact, under MCL 257.657, every person riding a bicycle, electric bicycle, or moped has all the rights and obligations given to people driving a car or truck.
However, certain rules must be followed by individuals riding a bicycle. For example:
- A person on a bike must ride as close as possible to the right-hand curb while traveling. MCL 257.660a.
- People riding a bicycle on a street or roadway together cannot ride more than 2 abreast except if they are on a path or street set aside for bicycles. MCL 257.660b.
- When traveling on a sidewalk, a person on a bicycle must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and must give an audible signal before passing a pedestrian. MCL 257.660c.
- A bicyclist in Michigan must ride with the flow of traffic. Riding against traffic is illegal. MC 257.634(1).
- A bicyclist must give a hand signal when turning. Here are the hand signal rules:
1. For a left-hand turn, extend the left arm and hand horizontally.
2. For a right-hand turn, extend the left arm and hand upward.
3. To stop or slow down, extend the left hand and arm downward.Â
- Can bicyclists ride on a sidewalk? Yes, but it is not recommended due to the safety hazards it causes other bicyclists and pedestrians.
- Is it legal to use a cell phone or text while riding a bike? Only if the cell phone is in hands free mode. A person operating a bicycle…shall not carry any package, bundle, or article that prevents the driver from keeping both hands upon the handlebars of the vehicle.” MCL 257.661.
- Bicyclists must also follow the normal rules of the road, such as stopping at a red light and stop sign, and yielding to traffic.
Why Do I Need a Sterling Heights Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
To protect your rights and get the best possible outcome. Insurance companies hate to admit their policyholders are at fault and need to pay. This is especially true when bicycles are involved.
The police report is very important but the police’s opinion is not final. Instead, you need a Sterling Heights personal injury law firm on your side who will vigorously fight for you.
The law firm will present evidence to the insurance that helps dramatically increase the value of your case. This includes the introduction of medical records, medical experts, accident reconstructionist, economists, and other witnesses who can help a judge and jury understand why your situation is critical.
One of the Best Sterling Heights Bicycle Accident Lawyers
For almost 50 years, The Lee Steinberg Law Firm has helped bicycle crash victims win their cases and collect the compensation they need and deserve. We care about the well-being of our clients. The results of a Sterling Heights bicycle accident can be life changing – let our law firm help you and your family recover and move on as comfortably as possible.Â
Please call the Lee Steinberg Law Firm and our Sterling Heights bicycle accident attorneys at 1-800-LEE-FREE (1-800-533-3733) or fill out the Free Case Evaluation Form so we can answer any questions you may have about your accident. You pay nothing until we win your Sterling Heights bicycle accident case.Â
