The number of fatal Michigan motorcycle accidents is on the increase compared to 2007.  According to numbers released from the Office of Highway Safety Planning, motorcyclists are more likely to be in a fatal motor vehicle accident than almost any other type of driver.  Unfortunately, however, these accidents accidents are often caused by drivers of cars, trucks, and SUVs who fail to notice or look out for motorcycles while they are driving.

The increase in fatal motorcycle accidents is even more alarming because it bucks the trend of an overal decrease in the number of fatal traffic accidents.  Car accidents were down 10% overall, while the number of accidents involving property damage or personal injury also declined.  Because of this, it is important that every motorcyclist be extra cautious when driving in heavy traffic, since it is clear drivers of other vehicles do not pay attention to motorcycles.

If you would like more information about your rights after a Michigan motorcycle accident, you can order our FREE book, “The Ultimate Michigan Motorcycle Accident Handbook” by visiting our law firm web site.  We will send it along with other important information.

For more information about Michigan motorcycle accident cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan Motorcycle accident attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

It has been my experience that motorcyclists are often the most careful drivers on the road.  Nonetheless, many drivers blame them if they are involved in accidents.  This is simply not right, since, very often, the drivers themselves are at fault for failing to keep an eye out for motorcycles.  Unfortunately, when car and truck drivers are negligent, it is usually the motorcyclists who pay the price.

Traffic accidents have a disproportionate effect on motorcyclists as compared to the rest of the driving population.  For every 100,000 registered vehicles, the fatality rate for motorcyclists was 3.6 times higher than the fatality rate for passenger car occupants.  And, based on figures from 1999, motorcyclists were about 18 times as likely to die in motor vehicle accidents as passenger car occupants.

The fact is, even when the motorcyclist is doing everything right, he or she is still at a significantly higher risk of injury or death than a passenger or driver in a car or truck.  Because of that, there are a variety of training and safety courses that use a classroom component and a driving/range component to teach motorcyclists how to handle less than ideal driving situations, including how to handle other drivers on the road.  More information about these courses can be found in the Training/Education Classes section of this website.

If you would like more information about your rights after a Michigan motorcycle accident, you can order our FREE book, “The Ultimate Michigan Motorcycle Accident Handbook” by calling our office.  We will send it along with other important information. 

For more information about Michigan motorcycle accident cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan Motorcycle accident attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

The number of Michigan motorcycle accidents has been rising for nearly a decade.  This includes the number of catastrophic motorcycle accidents, in which there is a personal injury or significant property damage, as well as fatal motorcycle accidents, which now account for a growing portion — now approximately 10% — of all fatal vehicular accidents.

There is some evidence that the increase in motorcycle accidents is connected to the worsening economy.  During warmer weather, statistics show that some people used their motorcycle more to commute to and from work.  Possible explanations for this include saving money on gas, shortening the commute, and the desire to enjoy riding more often.  Unfortunately, too often, drivers of cars, SUVs, and trucks ignore motorcyclists and fail to keep a proper lookout for them.  Then, when an accident happens, it is almost always the motorcyclist who is injured.

Some common causes of motorcycle accidents include:

• Other drivers failing to check their blind spots while switching lanes
• Other drivers rear-ending motorcycles
• Other drivers cutting off a motorcycle

A person who is injured in a motorcycle accident has several possible legal claims that arise out of the accident.  A biker may be able to submit a claim for No Fault insurance if the accident involved a car or truck.  Or the biker may be able to submit a claim for the insurance they have on the motorcycle, including PL/PD insurance or Med Pay insurance.  Finally, a biker may be able to sue the other driver if that driver caused the accident.

Because the motorcyclist’s legal rights will depend on the exact nature of his or her injuries and on the circumstances of the accident, the motorcyclist or a family member should contact an experienced Michigan motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible.  This will help the accident victim determine what he or she can do and will keep them from missing a deadline with the court or insurance company that could result in them forfeiting their rights.

If you would like more information about your rights after a Michigan car accident, you can order our FREE book, “The Ultimate Michigan Motorcycle Accident Handbook” by clicking on the book link. We will send it out immediately along with other important information.

For more information about Michigan car accident cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com. If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan car accident attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

Michigan motorcycle accident lawyer Daniel Buckfire has just finished his latest publication, “The Ultimate Michigan Motorcycle Accident Handbook.”  This 65-page guide walks you through the different types of benefits that are available to people who have been injured in motorcycle accidents and provides information about buying the proper insurance for your motorcycle.

This handbook would normally sell for $14.95, but if you order it through our law firm’s website, we will send it to you for FREE if you act NOW.

To order “The Ultimate Michigan Motorcycle Handbook” simply click on the book’s title and you will be redirected to our law firm’s website.  Fill out the order form and we will send you a copy of this book for FREE.

And be sure you do not miss our FREE Motorcycle Insurance Report and FREE Car Insurance Report, which can also be downloaded from our law firm’s website.  Simply click on the titles of each report.

For more information about Michigan motorcycle accident cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan Motorcycle accident attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

A Jackson hit and run motorcycle accident has left the biker injured.  The accident occurred at the intersection of Styles Road and Meridian Road on December 24, 2008.  The motorcyclist was stopped at a stop sign when a truck turned into the bike.  The truck driver fled the scene while the biker was taken to Allegiance Health Center and then UM Hospital for treatment.  He was believed to be seriously injured.  Police are still investigating the accident and trying to identify the hit and run driver.

I am very sorry this accident occurred, especially since it was during the holidays.  I hope this man is able to recover completely from his injuries.

Because the motorcyclist was injured in an accident that involved a truck, the Michigan No Fault Act applies.  The man will be able to file a claim for No Fault insurance benefits.  No Fault insurance will pay for this man’s medical expenses including his current hospital bills and any reasonable and necessary follow-up treatment.  No Fault insurance will also pay for a portion of his lost wages, household replacement services, and attendant care benefits.  More information about all of these benefits is available in the Insurance Information section of this website.

In addition to his claim for No Fault insurance, this man may be able to file a lawsuit for additional damages.  For instance, No Fault insurance only pays for lost wages for up to three years after the accident.  If this man was disabled from work for more than that, he could collect lost earnings in a lawsuit.  Or, he could collect non-economic damages like pain and suffering.  Michigan law only allows people with very serious injuries to file a lawsuit after an accident like this, so this man should consult with a lawyer to determine if he has the option of filing a lawsuit.

If you would like more information about your rights after a Michigan motorcycle accident, you can order our FREE book, “The Ultimate Michigan Motorcycle Accident Handbook” by visiting our law firm web site.  We will send it along with other important information. 

For more information about Michigan motorcycle accident cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan Motorcycle accident attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.