6 Facts About No-Fault Insurance and Motorcycle Accidents in Michigan

It’s that time of year again! Michigan riders are hopping on motorcycles and hitting the roads to enjoy the summer weather. While most ride happily and safely, accidents can — and do — happen. To help you better prepare and protect yourself, here are 6 Facts about Motorcycle Accidents and Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance:

Do I need no-fault insurance on a motorcycle in Michigan?

No, but you WILL need to purchase traditional liability insurance for bodily injury, death, or property damage (typically called “PLPD coverage”).

Why DON’T you need no-fault insurance? Because, technically, a motorcycle isn’t considered a “motor vehicle” and ownership of a “motor vehicle” requires you to carry no-fault insurance.

You may not need no-fault insurance, but that doesn’t mean you can drive without insurance. If you do, you could face serious consequences, including fines and jail time. Furthermore, if you are not insured, you are not eligible to receive no-fault benefits.

You CAN purchase something known as motorcycle PIP coverage, which is essentially no-fault insurance for motorcyclists. However, few people choose to do this.

If I’m injured on a motorcycle, can I collect no-fault insurance benefits in Michigan?

Yes — if you’re in an accident with a motor vehicle and sustain bodily injury. Again, in Michigan, a motorcycle is not considered a “motor vehicle” for no-fault insurance purposes. So, a collision with another motorcycle (or non-vehicular object) would not apply.

However, if you are injured in an accident involving a motor vehicle, these are the parties who may be responsible for your personal protection benefits:

• The insurer of the owner/registrant of the motor vehicle involved in the accident (i.e., whoever pays the insurance on the involved motor vehicle). For example, if you hit a motorcycle while driving a car you own/insure, your insurance company could be responsible for paying the motorcyclist’s benefits.
  
  
• The insurer of the operator of the motor vehicle involved in the accident (i.e., whoever pays the insurance of the person driving the motor vehicle). For example, if you’re driving a friend’s car and strike a motorcycle, your insurance company could be responsible for paying the motorcyclist’s benefits, even though you don’t own the car.
  
  
• The motor vehicle insurer of the owner/registrant of the motorcycle involved in the accident (i.e., whoever pays the motor vehicle insurance of the person who owns the motorcycle). For example, if you’re riding a motorcycle you own/insure and get into an accident, your insurance company could be responsible for your benefits — under your motor vehicle policy.
  
  
• The motor vehicle insurer of the operator of the motorcycle involved in the accident (i.e., whoever pays the motor vehicle insurance of the person driving the motorcycle). For example, if a friend is driving a motorcycle you own/insure and gets into an accident, the company that provides them motor vehicle insurance could be responsible for their benefits — even if their motor vehicle wasn’t involved in the accident.

It’s necessary to note that the motorcycle you’re operating or riding on must have the PLPD coverage for any possible benefit collection to occur. Additionally, the no-fault benefits are granted based on the limits of the motorist’s insurance policy. 

As experts in Michigan motorcycle accident laws, the Mike Morse Law Firm can help you determine what benefits you are eligible to collect and make sure you receive everything you’re owed.

What about the damage to my motorcycle?

If you’re looking to collect no-fault insurance benefits for any physical damage to the motorcycle, you may be out of luck.

It works like this: if your bike is damaged after being struck by a car that is insured with Michigan no-fault insurance, you will not be able to recover any compensation for damage to the motorcycle. However, if the driver that caused the damage to your motorcycle is not insured, they become personally liable for any and all damage to your motorcycle.

If I’m injured on a motorcycle, am I entitled to no-fault insurance benefits if I also have health coverage?

In short: It’s complicated. The insurer of the motor vehicle involved has to pay for the medical expenses of the motorcyclist — regardless of whether the victim also has health insurance. The victim’s own policy may also be required to pay — depending on which policy is the secondary policy as stated in the outline of benefits.

Sometimes, collection of no-fault benefits can be coordinated with health insurance benefits. It all depends on the specifics of each case and can be sorted out with a Michigan motorcycle accident attorney like those at the Mike Morse Law Firm.

If I’m motorcyclist and I sustain injuries from an accident caused by a motor vehicle driver, what compensation am I entitled to?

In such an instance, you’re entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering; next of kin can collect benefits in fatal accident cases. There are specific laws that govern compensation for serious injury claims on a motorcycle — which is another reason you should consult a Michigan motorcycle accident attorney for help.

You may also be entitled to excess economic loss suffered as a result of the accident and injury. This essentially means you may have two claims — and you must be careful in dealing with insurance companies who may work to minimize payout of your benefits.

I’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident; what should I do?

Don’t negotiate or discuss a settlement with the insurance company before consulting a Michigan motorcycle attorney. At the Mike Morse Law Firm, we have a dedicated team of attorneys experienced in handling motorcycle accidents who can help you obtain all the benefits you are entitled to as a result of your injury. Call us 24/7 at 855-MIKE-WINS (855-645-3946) or click here to email us. The consultation is free and you don’t pay unless we win for you. 

Content checked by Mike Morse, personal injury attorney with Mike Morse Injury Law Firm. Mike Morse is the founder of Mike Morse Law Firm, the largest personal injury law firm in Michigan. Since being founded in 1995, Mike Morse Law Firm has grown to over 200 employees, served 40,000 clients, and collected more than $1.5 billion for victims of auto, truck and motorcycle accidents. The main office is in Southfield, MI but you can also find us in Detroit, Sterling Heights and many other locations.