What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident

The hours after a motorcycle crash often blur together. The medical bills may arrive before the bruises fade, and the insurance adjuster calls before you fully understand what happened. On top of that, Michigan’s no-fault system can add more layers of confusion.

What you do in those first hours and days can shape your entire claim. Insurance adjusters usually open their investigation right away, and no-fault rules apply differently to motorcyclists than to car accident victims. A recorded statement given too early can affect your claim and potential compensation.

That is where our Michigan motorcycle accident lawyers come in. Matz Injury Law provides straightforward legal support to injured motorcyclists throughout Michigan. We help you understand your options, manage the claims process, and take action to recover the compensation you may need to move forward.

1. Get to Safety and Call 911

The priority is staying safe and getting out of traffic. If you can move, work your way to a shoulder, sidewalk, or grass strip. If you cannot move, signal for help and stay still until emergency personnel reach you.

Leave your helmet and protective gear on until medics arrive. Removing them too soon can worsen a spinal or head injury, even when you feel alert.

Call 911 as soon as you can, or ask someone nearby to call. The responding officer files Michigan’s UD-10 Traffic Crash Report, which becomes part of every no-fault and third-party claim that follows. Ask for the report number before you leave the scene.

2. Document the Scene and Exchange Information

Evidence collected in the first minutes is often the most reliable. If you are able, take photos from several angles of the following:

• Every vehicle involved
• Skid marks
• Debris
• Road conditions
• Traffic controls
• Any visible injuries

Exchange names, addresses, phone numbers, and insurance information with every driver involved. Get information from passengers too. Look for witnesses who saw the impact rather than the aftermath, and note their contact details before they leave.

The photos and notes you gather supplement what an officer cannot capture in a few minutes on scene. Save everything in one place.

3. Seek Medical Care Right Away

Adrenaline can mask pain after a crash. What feels like a sore shoulder at the scene can be a fracture or a soft-tissue injury that flares up days later. Same-day medical evaluation creates the medical record that both personal injury protection (PIP) benefits and a third-party claim need.

Adjusters often use missed appointments and stretches without treatment to argue that your injuries are not as serious as you say they are or that they are unrelated to the crash. Follow through with every referral, imaging order, and physical therapy session your doctor recommends after a motorcycle accident.

4. Understand How Michigan No-Fault Works for Motorcyclists

Michigan’s no-fault system does not treat motorcycles the same way it treats cars and trucks. Under the no-fault act, a motorcycle is not a motor vehicle, so a motorcycle policy does not automatically include PIP benefits the way an auto policy does.

When a car or truck was involved in your crash, you may still be able to claim PIP through the auto driver’s policy. Michigan’s order of priority decides which insurer pays:

• Your own auto policy, if you have one
• The auto policy of a resident relative who lives with you, if you do not have your own
• The state’s assigned claims plan, if neither of the above applies

When no car or truck is involved, your coverage depends on what optional benefits you bought with your motorcycle policy.

5. Be Careful What You Say to Insurance Adjusters

Insurance companies open their investigation almost as soon as the crash is reported. You have a duty to report the accident to your own insurer and cooperate with the basic claims process. You do not, however, have a duty to give a recorded statement before you have had a chance to think it through and consult a lawyer.

Adjusters are often trained to ask questions in ways that can lead you to minimize your injuries or accept partial fault. A line as simple as “I’m doing okay” early on can show up six months later as a reason for coverage denial when you need to pay mounting medical bills.

Try to keep early conversations to basic facts: where, when, who was involved, and where the report was filed. If an adjuster asks for a recorded statement, consider contacting a motorcycle accident lawyer first.

6. Know Your Deadlines

After a Michigan crash, different deadlines may apply depending on the type of claim.

• PIP benefits: Michigan law requires a timely notice to the responsible no-fault insurer. MCL 500.3145 also includes a one-year-back rule, which can limit recovery to losses incurred within one year before a lawsuit is filed.
• Personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver: To file a lawsuit for pain and suffering, you have three years from the date of injury under MCL 600.5805.

Missing either deadline can permanently end your right to recover. Even though legal matters may be the last thing on your mind after a crash, it is important to act quickly to meet these deadlines.

When to Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Michigan

It is important to contact a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible after a crash. An early consultation with an attorney can help you avoid mistakes that could harm your claim.

The personal injury lawyers at Matz Injury Law work with injured riders across Michigan by:

• Explaining their options and protecting their legal rights
• Reviewing your insurance policy
• Assisting with your no-fault application
• Helping to determine whether you are eligible to file a third-party injury claim
• Preserving evidence
• Communicating with insurance companies on your behalf
• Documenting the full extent of your losses

By getting legal help early, you can reduce stress and stay focused on recovery while our legal team handles the insurance companies and the claim.

Why Choose Matz Injury Law After a Michigan Motorcycle Accident

After a crash, you need someone you can trust to handle legal complexities and protect your right to compensation. Matz Injury Law has helped injured riders across Michigan for almost five decades, offering hands-on support with insurance claims, medical documentation, and legal deadlines.

Our approach has won clients over $300 million in compensation. We make sure more money goes in your pocket by maintaining a 22% fee structure, not the 33⅓% standard.

When you work with our personal injury law firm, you get direct access to experienced attorneys who are here to help you move forward. Reach out today for a free consultation.

Client Testimonials

“I had an amazing experience working with Steve and his practice. Whenever I needed any help, he was right there to help. He even came to my house to discuss my case with me when I was bedridden! His dedication, professionalism, truly made a difference. One of the best parts is he takes 22% not 33%!! I would highly recommend Matz Injury Law to anyone in need of legal assistance. Thanks again to Steve and his practice you truly made this process simple and stress free for me!” — Grant B.

“Jared Matz of Matz Injury Law is an excellent attorney. He is very knowledgeable and I would highly recommend him to anyone needing assistance in matters of law. He goes above and beyond for his clients and has wonderful caring attitude.” — Carl R.

“I was struck by an SUV while riding my HD motorcycle. When I was released from the hospital, I contacted Lawyer Steven Matz, who came to our home and assisted us with all the paperwork. Steve also got us top Dollar for my totaled bike, and the maximum amount allowed in our financial settlement. Steve was always available to help with questions, and gave answers that contained compassion. He was always upbeat and energetic! I highly recommend his services to anyone that may need them.” — Dan F.

Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Accidents in Michigan

What Should I Do If I Am the Passenger in a Motorcycle Accident in Michigan?

As a passenger, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries, regardless of who was at fault. You should get medical care immediately, document your injuries, and keep track of all related expenses. An attorney can help you file a no-fault claim and determine whether a third-party lawsuit is available based on the details of the crash.

How Can You Prove Fault in a Motorcycle Accident in Michigan?

You can often prove fault in motorcycle accidents through the police report, photographs, witness statements, and expert crash reconstructions. In Michigan, fault especially matters when filing a third-party injury claim.

How Much Is a Good Settlement for a Motorcycle Accident in Michigan?

Settlement amounts in Michigan depend on injury severity, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. A lawyer at Matz Injury Law can help calculate the full value of your losses.

Do I Need a Lawyer After a Motorcycle Accident in Michigan?

You are not required to hire one, but Michigan’s no-fault rules apply differently to motorcycles, and the deadlines are often unforgiving. A lawyer can manage insurer communications, protect your filing windows, and pursue a pain and suffering claim if your injury meets the no-fault threshold.

Get Help After a Michigan Motorcycle Accident

The steps you take after a motorcycle accident can have a lasting impact on your claim. Important evidence can disappear, witness memories can fade, and insurance companies may begin evaluating fault before you fully understand your legal options.

At Matz Injury Law, we help injured riders understand Michigan’s no-fault system, preserve critical evidence, and pursue the compensation available under Michigan law. We offer free consultations and collect no fee unless we recover for you. Call 866-226-6833 or contact us online to discuss your case.