The Detroti Free Press reports that an off-duty Detroit Police officer and his female companion suffered serious injuries last Wednesday in Detroit motorcycle accident.  The accident occurred near Linwook and Davison in Detroit when a woman driving a Dodge Shadow made an illegal U-Turn in front of their motorcycle.  The riders were thrown from the bike and suffered serious injuries require hospitalization.

I hope that the injured riders have speedy recovery and wish them the best of the health.  I represent injured bikers and frequently see this occurrence.  It seems that motorists simply either do not pay attention to motorcyclists or just ignore their rights.  The consequences can be devastating.

In a case like this one, the first thing that I do is file No-Fault Insurance claims for the injured riders. This provides them with payment of medical expenses, lost wages, and other benefits for their recovery.  I also hire an investigator to fully investigate the accident and take witness statements.  Because we also make claims for injuries and damages against the negligent motorist, this is essential to the case.

For more information on Michigan car accident cases like this one, you should request our FREE book, “The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook,” by clicking on the book link.  Also, visit our website at www.BuckfireLaw.com or call me at (800) 606-1717.

Our Michigan motorcycle accident lawyers frequently represent bikers with serious and catastrophic injuries.  This includes road rash, an term used to refer to skin and bone injuries caused by abrasion with road surfaces.  This injury is also seen frequently in bicycle accidents, skateboarding accidents, and inline skating accidents.  The injuries can often be serious and permanent.

Road rash injuries from motorcycle accidents are often the most severe.  This is simply because of the speed of the bike at the time of the injury and often because of defects in the road surfaces that cause severe injuries.  Many bikers also do not wear protective clothing that would reduce the severity of the injury. 

Also, it is important to obtain prompt treatment for these injuries to reduce the risk of infection and permanent damage.  Minor injuries can often be treated at home with proper care, but more severe injuries required medical intervention at a hospital or with an experienced physician.

A biker who suffers road rash injuries in a Michigan motorcycle accident can seek compensation from a negligent motorist that caused the accident.  Because these injuries often result in permanent scarring and disfigurement, the motorcyclist can claim these injuries as part of a damages claim in his or her Michigan motorcycle accident case.

To learn more about your rights if you were injured in a Michigan motorcycle accident, visit our web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com or call us at (800) 606-1717.

A tragic story about an Ann Arbor biker who was killed in a motorcycle accident in Milwaukee last weekend appeared in the news.  Michael Fleming, a 55 year old biker from Ann Arbor, had traveled with some buddies to Milwaukee on their Harleys to participate in a huge event celebrating Harley-Davidsons 105th anniversary.  Police report that a 61 year old woman made a wide turn, struck a curb, and then struck Mr. Fleming’s motorcycle.  Police then arrested her on suspicion of drunk driving.

My sympathies go out to Mr. Fleming’s family, friends, and colleagues.  One could only imagine how this tragedy has impacted all of them now and when it actually “sinks in.”  His fellow bikers are certainly also grieving his loss.

This summer has been a bad summer for motorcycle accidents.  It seems as though fatal motorcycle accidents are being reported with much more frequency these days and most accidents are caused by negligent motorists, not the bikers.  Unfortunately, the injuries in these accidents are frequenlty catastrophic and fatal.

My firm represents a number of injured motorcyclists and their families in motorcycle accident cases.  Quite often, the injured biker is entitled to receive Michigan no-fault insurance benefits even if he did not have a no-fault insurance policy on the motorcycle accident.  These laws are very complex and the insurance companies do not have to tell the biker the benefits that he can claim.  This is the reason it is so important to get an attorney involved as soon as possible.  I

n many circumstances, the injured biker can sue the other driver for his injuries and suffering and the family of a biker killed in an accident can file a wrongful death lawsuit.  There are strict time limitations for filing these claims and the failure to act quickly can actually destroy a good claim, another reason why an experienced motorcycle accident attorney should be retained immediately after an accident.

For more information on motorcycle accident cases, visit our firm website at www.BuckfireLaw.com You can also call us at (800) 606-1717 and we will answer all of your questions for you.  To learn more about your rights in car and motorcycle accident cases, you should request our FREE book “The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook” and we will send it out to you immediately.

A Saline motorcycle accident last week caused serious injuries to the 47 year old biker from Clinton.  The accident was allegedly caused when a 46 year old Clinton woman driving an SUV eastbound on Michigan Avenue near Dell Road.  She apparently attempted to pass another vehicle and struck the motorcyclist.  She was arrested for suspicion of drunk driving.

My firm frequently represents injured bikers in Michigan motorcycle accident cases.  Contrary to public belief, the overwhelming majority of these accidents are caused by negligent motorists and truck drivers, not by the injured bikers.  Under Michigan law, the injured biker can file both a Michigan No-Fault Insurance Claim for medical bills, lost wages, and other benefits.  The biker can also file a claim for personals injuries suffered in the accident against the negligent driver.

For more information, I suggest you request our FREE book, “The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook,” or call us at (800) 606-1717.  Our law firm website, www.BuckfireLaw.com, is also a great source of information.

Michigan motorcycle insurance accident lawyers must have specialized knowledge in insurance claims that can be made by an injured biker.  The Michigan no-fault insurance laws for these motorcycle insurance claims can be complex and confusing.  In order to receive insurance benefits, the motorcycle must be insured with liability coverage.  It is not required that the bike have no-fault insurance benefits.

Once insurance for the claim is verified, the accident and injuries must “arise” from another motor vehicle, which would be either a car or truck.  In many instances, there would be actual contact or a collision between a motor vehicle and the motorcycle.  This clearly satisfies the “arise” requirement to qualify for No-Fault benefits.

 However, many Michigan motorcycle accident insurance companies and  attorneys do not know that there does not have to be actual contact with the motor vehicle to have the accident “arise” from the use of a motor vehicle.  There is no requirement that the motorcycle actually collide with or be struck by either a car or truck, but rather that there was some involvement with the motor vehicle that caused the accident. 

For example, if the motorcycle was forced off of the roadway by a motor vehicle, the accident would arise from the use of a motor vehicle.  Or, if two motorcycles collided because a truck unlawfully entered into a lane of traffic and caused the bikers to collide, it would arise from the use of a motor vehicle.  This is a very important distinction which must be evaluated on a case by case basis.

The relevant law regarding this issue is below for your review.  These issues become complicated and you should speak to a lawyer as soon as possible after your accident to discuss your rights.  Feel free to call me anytime and I will be happy to give you legal advice and answer your questions.