Being struck by a vehicle while riding a bicycle is a terrifying and often devastating experience. There is nothing between you and the impact. No crumple zone, no airbag, no steel frame to absorb the force. When a distracted, reckless, or careless driver hits a cyclist, the injuries are almost always serious, and the consequences can follow the victim for years.
What makes these cases even harder is what happens afterward. Drivers and their insurance companies frequently attempt to shift responsibility onto the cyclist. They claim you were riding unpredictably, that you ran a stop sign, that you were in the wrong lane. Police reports sometimes reflect the driver's version of events more than the cyclist's. And insurance adjusters arrive at the claim already looking for reasons to reduce what they pay.
At Hamo Law Firm, we know how these cases work and we know how to fight back. We represent injured cyclists across Michigan, build cases that counter unfair blame, and pursue every dollar of compensation our clients are entitled to recover. If a driver hit you and you paid the price with your body, we are ready to stand up for you.
Michigan's No-Fault Law and Bicycle Accidents
Michigan's no-fault insurance system does not apply to bicycles the same way it applies to motor vehicles. Because bicycles are not motor vehicles under Michigan law, injured cyclists cannot automatically access Personal Injury Protection benefits through their own bicycle. This creates a coverage situation that is more complex than most people realize.
The potential sources of no-fault PIP benefits for an injured cyclist include:
- A resident relative's auto insurance policy, if the cyclist lives with someone who carries Michigan no-fault coverage
- The at-fault driver's no-fault policy, which may provide PIP benefits to the injured cyclist in certain circumstances
- The Michigan Assigned Claims Plan, a state-administered program that provides limited benefits when no other coverage is available
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Michigan
Most bicycle accidents involving motor vehicles are caused by driver error, not cyclist error. The patterns we see in these cases are consistent and preventable. The most frequent causes include:
- Distracted driving, where a driver looking at a phone, adjusting the radio, or otherwise not paying attention fails to see a cyclist until it is too late
- Dooring, which occurs when a driver or passenger opens a car door directly into the path of an oncoming cyclist, often with no warning
- Failure to yield at intersections and driveways, where drivers turn or pull out without checking for cyclists in the bike lane or on the roadway
- Unsafe passing, where a driver passes a cyclist without leaving adequate space, clipping them or forcing them off the road
- Speeding in areas with heavy bicycle traffic, reducing the driver's reaction time and increasing the severity of any impact
- Failure to check mirrors before turning, particularly right-hook collisions where a driver turns right across a cyclist's path
- Poor road conditions, including potholes, debris, broken pavement, and inadequate or absent bike lane markings that create hazards for cyclists
- Impaired driving, where an intoxicated or drug-affected driver has severely compromised awareness and reaction time
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Bicycle Accident?
In most bicycle accident cases, liability falls on the driver of the vehicle that struck the cyclist. But depending on the circumstances, other parties may also bear responsibility.
- The at-fault driver is the primary defendant in the vast majority of bicycle accident cases, and their liability insurance is the primary source of compensation
- A municipality or government entity may be liable when dangerous road conditions, inadequate bike infrastructure, missing signage, or poorly designed intersections contributed to the crash. Note that claims against government entities involve special notice requirements and shortened filing deadlines
- A property owner may bear liability when a hazardous condition on private property, such as a poorly maintained driveway approach or debris spilling onto a bike path, caused or contributed to the accident
- A vehicle manufacturer may be liable in cases where a defective component such as faulty brakes or a malfunctioning door latch contributed to the collision
What Compensation Can You Recover?
A bicycle accident claim can recover a wide range of damages depending on the severity of your injuries and the circumstances of the crash. A thorough claim pursues:
- Medical expenses, covering emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, specialist care, and all future costs related to your injuries
- Lost wages for the time you are unable to work during your recovery
- Loss of earning capacity if your injuries have a lasting impact on your ability to work at your previous level
- Pain and suffering, including physical pain, emotional distress, and the overall impact the injuries have had on your quality of life
- Bicycle and equipment damage, including replacement of your bicycle, helmet, and any other gear destroyed in the crash
- Attendant care for those whose injuries require ongoing in-home assistance
- Wrongful death damages for surviving family members when a bicycle accident proves fatal
Why Choose Hamo Law for Your Bicycle Accident Case
We Push Back Against Cyclist Bias from the Start
The assumption that the cyclist was at fault is one of the first things we prepare to counter in every bicycle accident case we take. We investigate the accident thoroughly, gather physical evidence, analyze the scene, and build the factual record that puts responsibility where it belongs.
We Understand Michigan's No-Fault Coverage Gaps for Cyclists
Navigating the coverage landscape for injured cyclists requires knowing which policies apply, which claims to file first, and how to make sure no available source of compensation is overlooked. We handle that analysis so you do not have to figure it out while recovering from serious injuries.
We Identify Every Liable Party and Every Source of Compensation
Whether liability rests with the driver, a municipality, a property owner, or a combination of parties, we investigate every angle. Leaving a liable party unaccountable is leaving money on the table, and we do not do that.
Statewide Representation with Personal Attention
We represent bicycle accident victims throughout Michigan. You work directly with attorneys who know your case, respond to your calls, and are committed to your outcome from start to finish.
No Fee Unless We Win
You pay us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. There is no cost to calling us and no financial risk to getting experienced representation on your side right away.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Michigan
The steps you take immediately after a bicycle accident significantly affect the strength of your claim. Here is what we advise:
- Get medical attention immediately. Even if you feel able to stand and move, get evaluated by a medical professional. Adrenaline masks pain, and internal injuries and head trauma may not be apparent right away.
- Call the police and make sure an official accident report is filed before anyone leaves the scene. Get the report number.
- Do not move your bicycle until the scene has been documented. The position of the bike relative to the vehicle and the road can be critical evidence.
- Photograph everything. Take pictures of the vehicle, your bicycle, the road surface, skid marks, traffic signs, any debris, and your injuries. Capture as much of the surrounding environment as possible.
- Get the driver's information, including their name, insurance information, license plate, and driver's license number.
- Collect witness contact information from anyone who saw the accident.
- Preserve your helmet, clothing, and bicycle. Do not repair or discard anything. These items can serve as physical evidence about the nature and force of the impact.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the driver's insurance company. Contact Hamo Law first.
You Have the Right to Share the Road. You Also Have the Right to Justice When That Right Is Violated.
Cyclists belong on Michigan roads, and when a driver fails to respect that and someone gets hurt, they should be held accountable. Hamo Law is ready to make sure they are.
Consultations are free, there is no obligation, and you pay nothing unless we win. Call us today at 810-234-3667, email us at ahamo@hamolaw.com, or visit our office at 614 S. Grand Traverse Street, Flint, Michigan 48502. You can also fill out our contact form and a member of our team will reach out to you promptly.
Relentless Advocacy. Compassionate Counsel.
