Practice Area

Pedestrian & Bicycle Accidents Attorneys in Michigan

We only charge a 22% contingency fee of the final settlement. Other Michigan attorneys charge 331/3%.
Bicycle & Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Serving Michigan

You never expect a car to hit you when you ride your bicycle alongside a road. Yet tragically, 103 Michigan bicyclists lost their lives between 2020-2022, a 64 percent increase since the previous three-year period. Bicycle accidents can cause devastating head injuries, traumatic brain injuries, fractures, broken bones, and even death. Bike accidents differ from car accidents since you do not have the protective elements a motor vehicle offers.

Everyone wants to get home safely after bike riding, but when a negligent driver hits you, they take away that option. If a motorist injures you or a loved one, you need strong and effective legal representation to get the compensation you deserve.

The caring and compassionate Michigan bicycle accident attorneys at Matz Injury Law can help. Our experienced Michigan personal injury attorneys will be with you every step of the way to help you obtain a bicycle accident settlement.

Call our law firm at 1-866-22Not33 for a free consultation and evaluation to learn more about how Matz’s Michigan bicycle accident lawyers can help you fight for compensation.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Michigan

In Michigan, there are two primary types of bicycle accidents: single-bicycle crashes and accidents involving another motor vehicle.

Single-Bicycle Accident

A single-bicycle accident occurs when a cyclist loses control of their bike and falls. Common causes include:

  • Hazardous weather
  • Icy roads
  • Poor road conditions
  • Road defects
  • Distracted driving (e.g., using a phone)
  • Being attacked by a dog

Bicycle and Motor Vehicle Accidents

Cars and trucks can either directly or indirectly cause injury to a bicycle rider. Common causes include:

  • Driving under the influence
  • Failing to yield to cyclists’ right of way in intersections
  • Distracted driving
  • Sudden change of lanes without signaling
  • Backing up without looking
  • Disobeying traffic laws and signals
  • Weaving in and out of traffic
  • Side-swipes
  • Hit and run accidents
  • Cyclist not wearing reflective gear after dark

What to Do If You Are a Biker Involved in an Accident

Suppose you are a bicyclist enjoying your legal right to use Michigan’s roadways, and suddenly, a negligent motorist hits you. In that case, it is crucial for victims of bicycle accidents to follow these steps immediately.

Seek Medical Attention

First and foremost, make sure you or your family members are safe. Victims of Michigan bicycle accidents should always seek a medical evaluation after being hit by a motor vehicle to check for common injuries. If injuries are visible, call 911 so emergency services can arrive and examine anyone injured. Even if you do not think anyone is hurt, seek medical attention to ensure there are no obvious or hidden injuries that might lead to severe injury, adverse health effects, or excessive pain and suffering in the coming days, weeks, or months.

Call the Police

After the collision, call the police to the accident scene. Law enforcement will note all of the details associated with the accident and write a police report to outline how the crash occurred. A police report will prove extremely useful for your case later, so do not skip this step.

Gather Information

In the aftermath of an accident, you should try to gather evidence. If you cannot do so yourself, see if someone else can perform this vital task. Information you will want to collect includes:

  • The at-fault driver’s name, address, and phone number
  • Auto insurance information and insurance policy
  • Description of the motor vehicle and license plate number
  • Photographs and video of the accident scene

When speaking with others, do not apologize or admit any potential fault at the scene. Do not give a statement to the insurance company until after you consult with a Michigan bicycle accident lawyer. Insurance company representatives are notorious for trying to get injury victims to say something that ultimately harms their case.

Hire a Michigan Bicycle Accident Attorney

Working with an experienced Michigan personal injury attorney gives you the best chance to win your case and obtain the necessary compensation to help cover the costs of medical treatment. Your Michigan bicycle accident attorney will usually provide a free consultation. They will also perform an investigation, gather evidence, speak to any eyewitnesses, serve as a go-between with the driver’s insurance company, and negotiate a fair bicycle accident settlement. You can expect a comprehensive case review and full handling of your case when you work with Matz Injury Law.

Should I File a Police Report After a Michigan Bicycle Accident?

Police car with its emergency lights on

Yes, you should always file a police report after a bike accident in Michigan. If the motorist committed any infractions to cause a collision or otherwise broke any rules of the road, the police will identify these in the report. Insurance companies will request the police report for injury claims, and if you file a personal injury lawsuit, the police report will be valuable documented evidence your Michigan bicycle accident attorney can use to strengthen your case.

What if My Bicycle Accident Involves a Hit-and-Run?

Sadly, many Michigan bicycle accident cases are hit-and-run accidents where careless and heartless drivers are more worried about themselves and not the fact they caused an auto accident by running into another human being.

If this happens to you, follow the steps listed above on what to do after suffering a bike accident, file a police report, and contact your insurance providers. Even if the driver is long gone, still file a report.

When victims do not file an accident report, there is a chance of losing the right to collect compensation from the insurance company according to Michigan‘s no-fault insurance law or the at-fault driver (if identified).

How Do E-Bike Accidents Differ From Bicycle Accidents in Michigan?

E-bikes have become popular in our tech-centric society. According to multiple studies, e-bikes have the same crash rate as normal bikes but are more likely to result in moderate to serious injuries. This is because an e-bike is designed to travel at higher speeds than traditional bicycles.

Bicycle Laws in Michigan

Man riding a bicycle

As a bicyclist out on the roadways, you also are subjected to the rules of the road. All Michigan bicycle laws are in place to help protect bicyclists and drivers using the road. As a cyclist, you are expected to follow these rules:

  • Ride close to the right curb.
  • Ride on a sidewalk (always yield to pedestrians and check local laws).
  • Ensure your bicycle has working brakes.

Cellphone use while riding a bicycle is not explicitly forbidden, but it is wise to play it safe and not use your phone. If you listen to music while riding, use just one earbud to allow yourself to hear what is happening in your surroundings.

E-Bike Laws in Michigan

Laws are always evolving, and, in time, e-bikes will eventually be treated either like motorcycles or dirt bikes. Essentially, it will come down to where they are being driven, which will determine the e-bike’s classification.

When considering Michigan bicycle laws, this is an important distinction because motorcycles are required to carry liability insurance, whereas dirt bikes and other off-road vehicles are not. Unless an e-bike has the capacity to travel in excess of 30 mph, insurance will likely not be required.

Otherwise, e-bikes will be treated the same as other bikes or small ORVs if a Michigan bicycle accident occurs.

Statute of Limitations For Bicycle Accident Settlements in Michigan

For no-fault insurance benefits claims, you must file within one year of a bicycle accident. If you plan to file a civil lawsuit, the statute of limitations is three years from the date of the crash to file. In some cases, this period of time is extended. It’s a good idea to consult a knowledgeable Michigan bicycle accident lawyer to see if your injury claim falls under this category. Either way, you will want to talk with an attorney promptly because assembling a solid Michigan bicycle accident injury case takes time. Do not wait until the last minute.

We Won’t Let an Insurance Company Determine the Settlement

To avoid inadvertently placing the blame on yourself for the accident, consult with a Michigan personal injury attorney right away. Insurance companies are not your friends. They will look for ways to pay the lowest settlement or avoid paying at all.

At Matz Injury Law, we’re dedicated to helping our clients get the medical care and compensation they need to recover physically, financially, and emotionally. Our Michigan bicycle accident lawyers are thoroughly versed in state laws regarding personal injury claims, fault benefits, no-fault insurance, and PIP (personal injury protection insurance).

Economic Damages

Any money you must pay for your injuries and losses falls under the category of economic damages. Essentially, these are damages with direct monetary value, such as medical expenses, rehabilitation, therapy, surgery, attendant care, lost wages, and loss of future earnings. Other economic damages include property damage, such as if the accident breaks your bike.

Non-Economic Damages

Other damages fall into the non-economic category. These damages aren’t easily calculated but directly impact your life after an accident. Non-economic damages include but are not limited to pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, psychological damages, mental anguish, loss of companionship, and loss of consortium.

No two cases are the same, but generally speaking, the more severe your accident, the more significant the settlement you will likely receive. A knowledgeable Michigan bicycle accident lawyer can outline a comprehensive list of the potential economic and non-economic damages you can pursue. Schedule a free consultation today to find out how much your case may be worth.

Focused on Your Future: Our Approach

When our Michigan bicycle accident lawyers meet with you, whether in person or via Zoom, we will listen to you and your concerns, explain the legal process and the issues in your Michigan bicycle accident case, and show you what we can do to help you get medical care and compensation.

Getting you medical care is our number one priority. If you do not have a doctor, we can help you find the right doctor so you can receive the care and treatment you need without being burdened by insurance company delays or restrictions placed on your doctors.

Our law firm will also identify all possible sources of compensation. This could include Michigan no-fault insurance, uninsured/underinsured coverage, workers’ compensation, the liability insurance of the other driver, the insurance covering the owner of the at-fault vehicle, and policies covering you, your family members, and others.

As an ongoing effort, Matz Injury Law spends notable time developing favorable fact patterns and gathering the appropriate evidence. This empowers us to take a more comprehensive approach than other firms do to help oversee that all avenues of recovery are explored for our clients.

You will never be just another number or case file to us. We care deeply about each one of our clients. We will communicate directly with insurance companies and adjusters and manage your benefits, medical bills, property damage claims, and more. We will give you the time to focus on getting better rather than being stressed over these details.

Matz Injury Law prides itself on taking proper care of our clients. We will watch out for you and always put your best interests first. Call us to schedule a free consultation about your Michigan bicycle accident.

Will a Lawyer Get Me More Compensation?

Lawyer sitting behind a set of scales

Every case is different, but lawyers tend to get more compensation for their clients than if the client took on the case alone.

Our Michigan bicycle accident attorneys at Matz Injury Law will provide a free consultation, and if you have a case, seek full compensation. Our personal injury lawyers will work tirelessly to help you secure a fair bicycle accident settlement for all your losses, including medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

We won’t leave money on the table. We’ll try to resolve your case for the maximum value of your claim. During the legal process, we’ll provide constant updates, inform you of important developments, and provide supportive counsel at the right time.

At Matz Injury Law, we charge 22 percent of your settlement, unlike most other firms that charge 33 percent. Keep more money with Matz.

We Will Watch Out For You

The Matz Injury Law legal team dedicates itself to protecting victims’ rights and seeing they receive the compensation they deserve after suffering from injuries or wrongful death. Our law firm proudly serves most of Michigan, including Grand Rapids, Lansing, Kalamazoo, Ann Arbor, Traverse City, and the Upper and Lower Peninsulas.

If you are struggling in the aftermath of a Michigan bicycle accident, you may be able to pursue an injury case. Speak to the caring and compassionate bicycle accident lawyers at Matz Injury Law to learn your options. Call us today for a free consultation at 1-866-22Not33 or message us through our online contact form.

Recent Settlements

  • $4.15 Million Settlement in Washtenaw County

    $4,150,000 settlement on behalf of the family of a college student who was killed in a traffic crash while riding a motorcycle. The settlement came from three different insurance companies.

  • $3.45 Million Settlement In Genesee County

    $3.45 million settlement against a cement company whose truck crossed a center line causing three deaths and severely injuring a 4 year-old boy. The settlement was $450,000 in excess of available insurance.

  • $1.74 Million Settlement Awarded In Calhoun County Collision

    $1.74 million settlement against a 19 year-old driver and the fraternity where he was drinking immediately prior to a head on collision that killed a 52 year-old husband and father of 3 children.

  • $1.3 Million Settlement In Monroe County

    $1.3 million Federal District Court settlement on behalf of a mother and daughter in a car/truck collision. Mom suffered a pancreas injury but returned to full-time employment within six months; eight year old daughter suffered an aggravation of a pre-existing learning disability as well as a ruptured spleen.

  • $1 Million Settlement In Gravel

    $1 million settlement for a 52 year-old woman in a rural county who broke both ankles and suffered a retrobulbar hemorrhage of her right eye after being struck by a gravel truck.

  • $1,000,000 Settlement for Rear-end Accident

    Matz Injury Law obtained a $1,000,000 settlement for a woman in Northern Michigan who fractured both ankles as a result of being rear-ended by a gravel truck.

  • $3,450,000 Settlement From Commercial Vehicle Accident

    A settlement of $3,450,000 for a family who lost loved ones as a result of an inattentive cement truck driver.

  • $100,000 Uninsured Motorist Settlement In Detroit

    $100,000 uninsured motorist settlement (policy limit) for family of passenger killed in Detroit in suspected joyriding incident.

  • $1 Million Settlement In Oakland County Negligence Case

    $1 million settlement on behalf of a 60 year-old woman with a mild closed head injury due to County Road Commission negligence.

  • $950,000 Settlement On Behalf Of Hillsdale County mother

    $950,000 settlement on behalf of the mother of a young boy who died while a passenger in a one-vehicle crash.

  • $750,000 Settlement in Kalkaska

    $750,000 to the family of a passenger killed in a collision on an icy road.

  • $285,000 Settlement For Auto Injury Victim

    $285,000 settlement on behalf of a 52 year-old woman who suffered from fibromyalgia after hurting her shin resulting from an auto injury.

Visit Our Office

Address:
Matz Injury Law
25800 Northwestern Hwy # 575
Southfield, MI 48075
Phone:
+1 (866) 226-6833
Our location:
steven matz headshot

Written By Steven Matz

Founding Shareholder

Steven J. Matz is a founding shareholder of Matz Injury Law. The firm’s concentration is on personal injury litigation, with an emphasis on traumatic brain injury.

Customer Reviews

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  • “Steve Matz deserves more than 5 stars! He went above and beyond to help me with my automobile accident/lawsuit, and stayed in constant contact with me. He cared about me as a person and how I was feeling or doing.”
    – Holly L.
  • “Mr. Matz was great helping me after my auto accident. I had no idea what was going on or where to turn but he led me the correct direction and to the right kind of doctors I needed to treat my injuries. He was there …
    – Judy W.
  • “Many thanks to Jared and the staff at Matz law! You definitely helped ease a very stressful situation. I really didn’t have to do anything, you folks did it all, which I appreciated very much. It’s never a pleasant e…
    – Kim B.
  • “If you are looking for the best attorney to handle your automobile accident claim, look no further! I have known Steve Matz for more than 20 years. He successfully represented me in 2001 then again in 2019 followin…
    – Gary C.
  • “If you’re looking for an attorney to handle your automobile accident/injury claims, then I highly recommend Steve Matz and his team! When I fractured my skull, he helped me settle my bodily injury claim in a timely m…
    – Alicia C.
  • “Following a near head on collision that left my wife with serious injuries to her leg and a head injury from the air bag that caused “instant onset dementia”, she has been deteriorating and needs constant supervision…
    – Thomas C.
  • “I was advised by Steve Matz over several days regarding a previous auto accident. He was very diligent with providing me the information I needed to be successful. I was very worried and misguided about the steps I n…
    – Domonique B.
  • “I cannot speak highly enough of Steve and his team! Everyone is so friendly and professional. Steve always kept me in the loop during the whole process and I tried to do the same. I love that Steve is such an honest …
    – Kristina K.
  • “Steve Matz was very easy to work with. His whole staff was knowledgeable and efficient. I would recommend them to anyone in need of an attorney. Thanks again Steve and staff!!”
    – Linda P.
  • “Steve was outstanding from the first telephone conversation all the way through until he settled my case at an amount that exceeded my expectations. He is a consummate professional and a compassionate attorney and I …
    – Sharyn G.

The maximum contingency fee permitted by law is actually 331/3%. Michigan court rules require that the attorney fee be computed on the net sum recovered after deducting all disbursements properly chargeable to the enforcement of the claim.

What does 22not33 mean, exactly?

We can charge 22% while virtually all other injury attorneys charge 331/3% because we are very, very, good at obtaining results for our clients.

We do not spend millions of dollars on television ads; instead, we offer a lower fee to all our clients. We do not have dozens of lower paid associates handling our work. All our clients are represented by Steven and Jared Matz. Steven Matz started the firm in 1977 and since then has dedicated his life to representing injury victims. Jared joined the firm in 2016 but grew up listening to stories, discussing theories, and generally learning at the dinner table about how to effectively and compassionately represent injury victims. Jared Matz was literally born to represent individuals involved in motor vehicle crashes.

All of our cases are handled on a contingency fee and all our cases are handled at 22%. Whether the case settles or goes through trial, the fee does not change. While our competitors make excuses as to why they charge so much, we are obtaining results for our clients at a lower fee.

At a typical television advertising law firm, your first call will be handled by a receptionist, who may refer you to an intake person, who will discuss your claim with an intake manager, who then discusses your claim with an associate, who may then report to a partner. You may never speak with the person whose name is at the top of the letterhead. At Matz Injury Law you will always speak with either Steven Matz or Jared Matz.