SHOULD I HIRE A MICHIGAN MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER?

 Bikers think about Buckfire Law the highest bike accident firm in Michigan. we tend to ar members of ABATE and support an outsized variety of different bike clubs and organizations, as well as The Michigan Confederation of rockers, Gold Wing Riders, and different riding teams.

When you rent our firm as your attorneys, you may get the following:

A team of lawyers United Nations agency often wins the highest accident settlements in Michigan.

We handle bike injury cases broad, in cities like Port Lake Huron, Monroe, Kalamazoo, Lansing, urban center, Saginaw, and in Northern Michigan.

The best potential delegacy below our No-Fee Promise. It prices no cash to urge started and that we solely earn our fee if you receive a settlement check

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS?

The fact is that only a few Michigan motorbike crashes area unit the fault of the biker. In most crashes, the biker is totally freed from any negligence and did nothing to cause the accident. Typically, it's a negligent driver that neglected the rights of motorcyclists on the streets and highways.

The most common reported  causes of motorbike accidents in Michigan include:

Improper lane changes.

Distracted driving.

Drugs and alcohol.

Speeding.

Driving beneath the influence.

Intersection accidents.

Sudden stops.

Head-on collisions.

Left-turn accidents.

Defective road conditions.

Vehicle defects.

The police could place you guilty for the accident, even once it had been a negligent driver that was really chargeable for the collision. The team legal team at our top-rated firm has the ability and knowledge to completely investigate and prove your case.

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MICHIGAN MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT STATISTICS

In 2018, there were 2,728 total motorcycle accidents in Michigan, slightly down from the total in 2017, but still a large number of crashes. Of that total, there were 2,004 injuries and 192 fatalities reported. An astounding 44.6% involved the use of drugs or alcohol. There were 242 total crashes with deer that resulted in nine fatalities and 170 injuries to bikers

The counties with the best range of bike injuries were:

Wayne County: 432

Oakland County: 220

Kent County: one hundred eighty

Genesee County: ninety eight

Muskegon County: ninety one

Kalamazoo County: seventy two

Ingham County: seventy one

Ottawa County: fifty eight

The total range of accidents fluctuated over the past ten years. the best range of crashes was three,600 in 2012 and there was an enormous drop off in 2014 before ascent up once more to three,290 in 2016.

WHO PAYS FOR REPAIRS TO MY DAMAGED MOTORCYCLE?

Motorcycle accidents lead to terribly serious injuries to rockers and passengers. the foremost common injuries include:

Fatal accidents.

Spinal cord injuries.

Traumatic brain injuries.

Back and neck injuries.

Shoulder injuries.

Fractures and broken bones.

Knee injuries.

Scarring and disfigurement.

Road rash.

Psychological harm, like PTSD and depression.

Victims of bike accidents usually need surgery, prolonged hospitalization, and intensive rehabilitation. several of those injuries lead to permanent incapacity from work and recreational activities. They can also negatively have an effect on relationships with members of the family.

HOW DO I FILE A MICHIGAN bike ACCIDENT LAWSUIT?

You need a Michigan bike accident attorney to file your case. The formal case document, referred to as the criticism, should specifically state the facts, claims of negligence, and damages.

Many cases settle before it's even necessary to file a case.

CAN I SUE FOR PAIN AND SUFFERING DAMAGES?

Anyone gashed in an exceedingly Michigan bike accident will sue the at-fault driver for non-economic damages, or personal injury damages. These ar claims additionally to no-fault insurance advantages and compensate the biker for pain and suffering, psychological harm, disability, scars, and disfigurements caused within the accident.

WHO PAYS MY MEDICAL BILLS AND LOST WAGES?

If you were gashed in an exceedingly bike accident and qualify for no-fault insurance advantages, it should be determined that underwriter is answerable for paying all of your hospital bills and medical expenses.

Many rockers conjointly purchase medical pay coverage as a part of their bike insurance to ensure medical bills are going to be paid if gashed in an exceedingly crash. this can be vital as a result of your bills might not be coated if another automobile wasn't “involved” in your crash and no-fault medical advantages won't be paid.

For your lost wages, you're entitled to receive up to 3 years of wage loss advantages at eighty fifth of your financial gain. there's a most monthly quantity for this profit underneath Michigan law.

WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUITS

 once A accident

If the crash resulted in fatal injuries to the biker or rider, the extant relations will file a Michigan decease case against the negligent person. A death claim seeks a settlement for the decedent’s pain and suffering before the death, loss of the friendly relationship of the relations, and alternative claims that ar allowed underneath the Michigan decease Act.

WHAT ar THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF AN gashed PASSENGER?

Injured passengers can even sue for compensation. Claims will be filed against negligent drivers and even the operator of the bike they're riding on at the time of the crash. The rider is totally innocent in any accident. Many times, the biker and driver decide to blame one another as being answerable for the crash.

HOW MUCH IS MY bike ACCIDENT CASE WORTH?

The amount of your settlement depends on variety of things. These embrace the seriousness and duration of your injuries, the kind of medical treatment, and the way the injuries have affected your ability to steer your traditional life. different factors to require into thought embrace whether or not you had any degree of fault and also the quantity of the contract limits out there to pay your settlement. you will be entitled to an oversized settlement.

DO i want A professional TO SETTLE MY CASE?

No, you are doing not would like a bike accident professional to settle your case. you'll be able to attempt to discuss a private injury settlement with the claim agent, however you'll probably not get about to the suitable settlement quantity. Studies show that injury victims receive well extra money once they have representation, even when they pay the attorney’s fees and expenses.

EXAMPLES OF MICHIGAN motorbike ACCIDENT SETTLEMENTS

$9,500,000 settlement for a biker hit by a public bus in a very Motor City motorbike accident.

$5,000,000 judgment against a negligent driver in Kalamazoo.

$2,750,000 settlement in a very fatal motorbike accident causa.

$1,900,000 settlement for a traveler eviscerate in a very Grand Traverse County.

$1,260,000 settlement eviscerate in a very capital of Michigan space motorbike accident.

$1,100,000 settlement for a Motor City biker eviscerate once a truck forced him into oncoming traffic.

$750,000 settlement for a husband and married person severely eviscerate in a very Grand Rapids accident.

$560,000 settlement for a Michigan traveler eviscerate in a very FL motorbike accident.

$500,000 settlement for a biker in a very Flint motorbike crash.

CAR INSURANCE FRO HIGH POINT DRIVER

CAR INSURANCE FRO HIGH POINT DRIVER

 High-risk drivers have a history of at-fault accidents, dashing tickets or different infractions. Insurance firms are not needing to give coverage to those drivers as they're a lot of seemingly to file claims. information recommend drivers World Health Organization ar younger, have dangerous credit or board sure nada codes also are a lot of seemingly to file a claim or have one filed against them.

Because of this increased  risk, insecure drivers nearly always pay higher motor vehicle insurance rates and have fewer selections of

The best insurance firms for speculative drivers:

USAA, State Farm and yank Family Insurance square measure 3 of the simplest major insurance firms for those with accidents or alternative infractions on their driving records. whereas these firms can raise premiums once Associate in Nursing accident or alternative traffic violation, these rate hikes tend to be smaller than those levied by alternative machine insurance firms. Any of them may be a decent work if {you're looking|you square measure looking} specifically for speculative machine insurance firms that are well-thought-of and may meet the wants of alternative drivers in your home, as well.

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At-fault accidents

As a driver, an at-fault accident — especially with a bodily injury payout — can be a major indicator of insurance risk. It's not only a financial burden for the insurance company, which is responsible for damages through liability coverage, but an ongoing accumulation of risk as the company insures you in the future. An at-fault car accident increases auto insurance premiums by an average of $845 per year.

In most states, your car insurance rate will go up for three years following an at-fault accident. USAA, State Farm and Nationwide provide the cheapest policies after an at-fault accident. For more information, see our guide to finding insurance after a car accident.

Methodology: The auto insurance rates displayed above and throughout this page are dynamic, meaning the data will refresh when the most recent information is made available. Rates are based on a sample driver profile — a 30-year-old single male driver with a Honda Accord and full coverage. This profile was adjusted based on common pricing factors used by major car insurance companies, like age, coverage level, driving record and others.

Company	Avg. Annual Premium	Avg. Monthly Premium
USAA	$1,927	$161
State Farm	$2,005	$167
Nationwide	$2,334	$194
GEICO	$2,344	$195
Farmers	$2,508	$209
Progressive	$2,936	$245
Allstate	$3,482	$290

Speeding tickets

On average, you can expect your insurance costs to increase by $431 per year after a ticket. Depending on the severity of the traffic violation, the insurance consequences of a ticket will vary. Less severe violations — like speeding — have a smaller impact on insurance premiums. But don't be fooled: speeding tickets are seen as precursors of more serious incidents, resulting in raised insurance rates.

Like an at-fault accident, you can be charged for a ticket for three to five years after a ticket citation. USAA, State Farm and GEICO provide the cheapest rates for drivers with speeding tickets.

Company	Avg. Annual Premium	Avg. Monthly Premium
USAA	$1,635	$136
State Farm	$1,872	$156
GEICO	$1,906	$159
Nationwide	$1,943	$162
Farmers	$2,339	$195
Progressive	$2,390	$199
Allstate	$2,767	$231

Reckless driving

Insurance rates rise by an average of over $1,428 per year after a reckless driving charge — or over $4,000 in extra premium over the course of the three-year chargeable period. In many states, reckless driving is defined as driving dangerously and without care, potentially resulting in bodily harm and/or property damage, and is considered a major moving violation. A reckless driving charge is the sixth most expensive citation that affects car insurance.

The average premium after a reckless driving charge is $3,187 a year. USAA, State Farm and Progressive provide the cheapest rates after a reckless driving charge.

Updated: 11/03/22.

Company	Avg. Annual Premium	Avg. Monthly Premium
USAA	$1,958	$163
State Farm	$2,584	$215
Progressive	$2,725	$227
GEICO	$2,727	$227
Farmers	$2,807	$234
Nationwide	$3,114	$259
Allstate	$3,413	$284

Racing

Because of the dangers associated with racing, this citation carries some very costly insurance consequences and is the second most expensive violation to affect car insurance premiums. Drivers charged with a racing violation were charged an additional $1,500 per year for auto insurance. Drive smart — don't race on public roads!

In our survey of top insurance companies after a racing citation, we discovered insurance companies charge drivers cited for racing $1,218 per six-month policy. USAA, State Farm and GEICO provide the cheapest options.

Updated: 11/03/22.

Company	Avg. Annual Premium	Avg. Monthly Premium
USAA	$2,448	$204
State Farm	$2,624	$219
GEICO	$2,774	$231
Farmers	$2,823	$235
Progressive	$2,856	$238
Nationwide	$3,215	$268
Allstate	$3,469	$289

DUI

On average, your premium will increase by $1,681 annually after you're charged with a DUI. This comes out to $140 per month in excess premium, making DUIs the second most impactful violation to affect your rate. DUIs result in more property damage, bodily injury and death benefit payouts than any other citation. Regardless of your location, expect your premium to rise by about 96% if you're a driver charged with a DUI or DWI — not to mention any additional fees or legal ramifications.

If you've been charged with a DUI, your cheapest insurance provider might be Progressive, USAA and Farmers. For more information and state-by-state cost breakdowns, check out our guide on shopping for car insurance with a DUI.

Company	Avg. Annual Premium	Avg. Monthly Premium
Progressive	$2,481	$207
USAA	$2,530	$211
Farmers	$2,558	$213
State Farm	$2,652	$221
GEICO	$3,230	$269
Nationwide	$3,464	$289
Allstate	$3,535	$295

What non-driving factors make you a high-risk driver?

While violations and accidents can lead to higher premiums, a number of personal factors can also influence car insurance rate

Poor credit

To an insurance company, your credit score is a reflection of what kind of driver you will be. FTC studies show drivers with low credit scores are more likely to file a claim than drivers with better credit — and when drivers with poor credit do file claims, they lead to more expensive payouts. Any time more risk is involved, your insurance company will protect itself by charging an inflated premium.

If you have poor or low credit, Nationwide, GEICO and USAA will likely offer the cheapest policies.

If using your credit score to determine your insurance premium seems unfair to you, you're not alone — some states consider credit score car insurance profiling a discriminatory practice. Learn more about how to find car insurance with bad credit.

Updated: 11/03/22.

Credit Tier	Avg. Annual Premium	Avg. Monthly Premium
Poor	$3,147	$262
Below Fair	$2,461	$205
Good	$1,760	$147
Very Good	$1,627	$136
Excellent	$1,506	$125

Age

As far as driving is concerned, age matters and youth equates to inexperience behind the wheel of motor vehicles — to put it simply, a young driver is more of a risk. Auto insurance companies see teenage drivers as high-risk due to their lack of driving experience, which correlates to an increased likelihood of filing a claim.

Below are samples of rates comparing yearly and monthly premiums between people in their 20s versus adults in their 40s. Drivers who are in their 20s should look to USAA, GEICO and Nationwide for the cheapest average rates. Read more about how to find cheap insurance as a young adult.

CHEAPEST INSURANCE COMPANIES FOR DRIVERS IN THEIR 20S

Updated: 11/03/22.

Company	Avg. Annual Premium	Avg. Monthly Premium
USAA	$1,767	$147
GEICO	$1,926	$160
Nationwide	$2,034	$170
State Farm	$2,211	$184
Farmers	$2,336	$195
Progressive	$2,521	$210
Allstate	$3,265	$272

Location

Because insurance is priced by ZIP code and regulated by your state, your location impacts car insurance rates. Living in a state with onerous insurance regulations — such as Michigan or other no-fault states — can impact your premium regardless of your driving record.

Learn more about auto insurance costs by state.

Insurance coverage history

Gaps or lapses in auto insurance coverage are seen as red flags by insurance companies. Drivers with uninterrupted histories of carrying car insurance with high coverage levels are seen as more financially responsible than drivers with coverage lapses.

Looking at the data, a driver with the same current coverage but no insurance history pays over $190 more for car insurance than a driver with five years of insurance history. If your insurer sees you as financially responsible, they will reward you with a lower premium. Certain insurers won't even draft a policy for a driver who hasn't maintained continuous coverage for the past six months.

Updated: 11/03/22.

Insurance History	Avg. Annual Premium	Avg. Monthly Premium
None	$1,934	$161
6 Months with 50-100 BI Limit	$1,805	$150
1 Year with 50-100 BI Limit	$1,794	$149
3 Years with 50-100 BI Limit	$1,760	$147
5 Years with 50-100 BI Limit	$1,742	$145

Vehicle use

The way in which you use your vehicle can impact your insurance rates, even if you don't see yourself as a driver with especially high risk. If you use your vehicle for rideshare or commercial purposes, your insurance company might deny coverage outright based on the risk. Using your vehicle in high-density areas — and driving more miles — warrants the premium increase. As more people become drivers for rideshare companies, it's important to make sure your auto insurance coverage makes sense for the additional risk. Use our guide to compare insurance rates for pleasure use vs. commuter use policies.

Updated: 11/03/22.

Use of Vehicle	Avg. Annual Premium	Avg. Monthly Premium
Farm	$1,660	$138
Pleasure	$1,760	$147
Work - One-way commute (less than 10 miles)	$1,778	$148
Work - One-way commute (10-15 miles)	$1,784	$149
Work - One-way commute (15+ miles)	$1,799	$150
Business	$2,012	$168

Vehicle type

Car insurance rates will vary by vehicle type as well. Owning a high-performance vehicle is considered an added risk by insurance companies. Motor vehicles that are capable of off-roading or hitting high speeds, or those with valuable parts, are seen as a risky investment to an auto insurance company. This can mean a potentially higher premium for a driver of these types of vehicles.

Vehicle Type	Avg. Annual Premium	Avg. Monthly Premium
Sedan	$2,258	$188
Truck	$1,698	$142
SUV	$1,918	$160
Van	$1,616	$135
Luxury	$2,116	$176
Hybrid/green	$2,224	$185

License points

Many states use “points" systems to score driving violations. Each traffic violation is tied to a specific number of points that stay on your record for a length of time depending on your state and the severity of the violation. If you earn a certain number of points, you can lose your license.

However, your auto insurance company doesn’t cite points directly — they use your Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) to see the information that comprises your points total. Your MVR will provide a comprehensive list of any tickets you have been issued, as well as any traffic collisions. Although points on your driver's license can be reflective of a high premium, they do not lead directly to higher premiums.

How to save money on high-risk auto insurance

Exercise caution before filing a collision claim

Collision claims are meant to repair damage to your vehicle when you collide with a fixed object — like another vehicle, a wall or a pole. These claims can dramatically increase your premium. But depending on the value of the damage, you could pay more than in premium surcharges than the out-of-pocket expense.

Remember that a claim is likely to stay on your insurance record for three to five years. So even if it seems cheaper in the short term to file a claim, you could ultimately end up paying much more in the long run. In general, don't sweat the small stuff.

Learn more about when and when not to file an insurance claim.

Should you file a claim?

• Get an estimate for the out-of-pocket expense at a local repair shop
• Use The Zebra's State of Insurance study or claims calculator to see how much an at-fault accident would raise rates in your state
• Compare the out-of-pocket expenses to the rate increase plus your deductible in case it's cheaper to pay for the damage yourself

Take a defensive driving course

Take the course before the ticket is reported to your insurance company. Although this solution won’t help if you already have the ticket on your record, it’s something to keep in mind in case you are considering signing up for an expensive class.

Consider our partner iDriveSafely for an online defensive driving course. Available in nearly every state, the skills you learn in this course may help you become a safer driver, thus avoiding traffic violations and accidents. Learn more about iDriveSafely's defensive driving courses.

Improve your credit score

Improving your credit score from poor to excellent can save you more than $1,400 per year on auto insurance! On average, you can save about 17% with every credit score bracket you move up. According to The Zebra's rate data, drivers with poor credit (scores between 300 and 579) pay $137 more per month for car insurance than drivers with very good credit (between 740 and 799).

Go car-free for a while

At the end of the day, it’s hard to undo mistakes you have already made. If you’re a high-risk driver, you’re going to be paying quite a bit more for car insurance. If you can’t afford car insurance currently and can get by with public transportation, a bicycle or rideshare services, try going car-free.

Bear in mind that you will not be able to legally drive your vehicle without insurance coverage. However, this could be a good solution if you’re on a budget.

Compare insurance quotes

This is the most effective way to save money on auto insurance. Not all insurance companies will rate or charge you for your violations equally. There is a lot of variation between companies and the only way to know you're getting the best rate possible is to compare auto insurance quotes near the end of each policy period.

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Where to buy high-risk auto insurance

Because of the risk some drivers present, there are instances where no auto insurance company — not even non-standard insurers, some of which we've listed below — will issue you a policy regardless of how much you're willing to pay. In these unique circumstances, assigned risk insurance comes into play. Assigned risk insurance is a last resort for drivers with very poor driving records seeking car insurance.

In order to qualify for assigned risk insurance, you need to prove you've tried and failed to get insurance multiple times and have been denied based on your driving record. Once that happens, an insurance agent will submit a report to the state notifying them that you need assigned risk insurance. Unfortunately, assigned risk insurance is typically expensive.

Being “too risky” for an insurance company isn’t a definable quality. The easiest way to find cheap auto insurance as a high-risk driver is to shop around

High-risk insurance FAQs

How much is high-risk car insurance?

High-risk drivers will pay more for car insurance. However, the amount your premiums increase will vary depending on a number of variables. For example, a DUI/DWI conviction can raise your premiums by around 96%, which adds up to an extra $1,680 per year. On the other hand, a speeding ticket could increase the annual cost by an average of $431.

 

Which company has the cheapest car insurance for high-risk drivers?

This depends on your individual situation but among the major carriers, USAA tends to provide the cheapest coverage for drivers in a number of high-risk categories, such as at-fault accidents and speeding tickets. However, as USAA is only available to those in the military (or their immediate family members), other carriers offering lower rates include GEICO, Nationwide and State Farm. Chances are a major carrier will not offer the cheapest rate so it might be worth looking into a carrier that specializes in high-risk insurance.

 

What if I can’t find auto insurance coverage?

If you are denied coverage from a standard carrier, your best bet is to look for what’s known as a non-standard carrier. These insurance companies specialize in insuring drivers who don’t have the cleanest driving records. While you may forego some of the perks offered by standard carriers like GEICO or State Farm, you will be more likely to find coverage. However, if your driving record is such that even non-standard carriers are wary of taking you, most states have what is known as a high-risk pool. Your state can mandate that insurance companies provide auto coverage to these drivers, but beware this coverage is not cheap.

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