Michigan Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Motorcyclists face risks that drivers of enclosed vehicles simply do not — no airbags, no seatbelt, no steel frame. When a car or truck driver fails to see a rider, yields recklessly, or drives distracted, the motorcyclist bears the full consequence. At Jalal Abdallah Law PLLC, we fight for motorcycle accident victims and their families across Southfield, Detroit, Dearborn, and all of Michigan — pushing back against the bias riders often face from insurance companies and fighting for every dollar of compensation they are owed.

After a motorcycle accident, our legal team will tell you:

• What you should do immediately after a motorcycle accident to protect your health and your claim
• Whether you are entitled to PIP benefits and which insurance company must pay
• Whether you should speak with the other driver’s insurance adjuster — and what to say if you do
• How to get reimbursed for your medical bills and motorcycle damage
• What to do if the at-fault driver is blaming you for the crash
• How Michigan’s comparative fault rules affect your recovery
• How much your case may be worth in a settlement or at trial

Motorcycle Accidents and Michigan’s No-Fault System

Michigan’s no-fault insurance system treats motorcycles differently from automobiles — and this distinction has major consequences for injured riders. Motorcycles are excluded from the definition of “motor vehicle” under Michigan’s No-Fault Act, which means motorcyclists are not required to carry PIP coverage on their bikes and are not automatically covered by the standard no-fault system.

However, if a motorcyclist is injured in a crash involving a car, truck, or other motor vehicle, they are entitled to PIP benefits — paid by the other vehicle’s insurer, not their own motorcycle policy. The order of priority for PIP benefits for an injured motorcyclist is:

• First — the insurer of the owner of the motor vehicle involved in the crash
• Second — the insurer of the driver of the motor vehicle, if different from the owner
• Third — the insurer of the motorcyclist’s own automobile policy, if they own a car
• Fourth — the insurer of a resident relative’s automobile policy
• If no coverage applies — the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan (MACP), which provides up to $250,000 in PIP benefits

An important note: if you own your motorcycle and do not carry the required liability insurance under MCL 500.3113(b), you will be denied PIP benefits even if the crash was entirely the other driver’s fault. Carrying proper motorcycle insurance is essential to protecting your right to benefits.

In a significant 2026 ruling, the Michigan Court of Appeals confirmed that injured motorcyclists can stack PIP coverage — meaning if a higher-priority insurer’s policy limits are exhausted, the rider can pursue additional benefits from a lower-priority insurer with more expansive coverage. This is an important protection for riders facing catastrophic injury costs.

When Motorcycle Accident Injuries Are Serious — Get Legal Help

Motorcycle accidents frequently result in catastrophic injuries — traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, road rash, crush injuries, amputations, and wrongful death. When injuries are serious, PIP benefits alone are rarely adequate. To recover pain and suffering, lost earning capacity, and full non-economic compensation, you must file a third-party liability claim against the at-fault driver.

To pursue non-economic damages under MCL 500.3135, your injuries must demonstrate death, permanent serious disfigurement, or serious impairment of a bodily function that affects your general ability to lead your normal life. Given the nature of motorcycle crash injuries, this threshold is frequently met — but it must be properly documented and legally established from the earliest stages of your claim.

When you speak with Jalal Abdallah Law, you will learn:

• Whether you have a valid personal injury claim against the at-fault driver
• Which insurance company is responsible for your PIP benefits under the priority rules
• How the at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability coverage applies to your damages
• What evidence you need to document your injuries and support your claim
• What you can realistically expect throughout the claims and litigation process
• What your case may be worth in a settlement or jury verdict

Common Causes of Michigan Motorcycle Accidents

The majority of motorcycle accidents in Michigan are caused by other drivers — not riders. Common causes our attorneys investigate include:

• Failure to yield at intersections — the leading cause of motorcycle crashes
• Left-turn collisions — drivers turning left in front of oncoming motorcycles
• Distracted driving — texting, phone use, and inattentive drivers who simply don’t see riders
• Lane changes without checking blind spots
• Drunk or impaired driving
• Speeding and aggressive driving
• Dooring — drivers opening car doors into the path of a motorcyclist
• Road hazards — potholes, uneven pavement, debris, and poor road maintenance

Contact Jalal Abdallah Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis — no upfront fees, and no fee at all unless we win your case.

Frequently Asked Questions