Michigan Motorcycle Accident Statistics

For a Michigan motorcyclist, the results of a Michigan motorcycle accident can be extremely serious – or even fatal.

The facts about Michigan motorcycle accidents are clear.

In 2005, 120 motorcyclists died in Michigan motorcycle crashes, according to the motorcycle accident statistics reported by the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning. Another 2,660 motorcyclists were injured in Michigan motorcycle accidents in that year alone.

Compared with other travelers, Michigan motorcyclists are at much greater risk. A Michigan motorcyclist was the victim in 1 out of every 7 crashes causing death, and 1 out of 28 crashes causing injury.

Accident statistics show that the danger is increasing for Michigan motorcyclists. In the last 10 years, the number of Michigan motorcycle accidents rose by 45%. At the same time, the number of Michigan motorcycle accidents that resulted in death rose by 98%.

These Michigan motorcycle crash facts just begin to show the seriousness of these accidents. Statistics certainly cannot describe the lasting impact of a motorcycle accident on the victims or their families.

What to do After a Motorcycle Accident

After a Michigan motorcycle injury accident, there are important steps you can take to preserve evidence essential to a potential legal claim.

Obviously, if you or other accident victims need emergency medical assistance, ask someone to call an ambulance immediately.

If you can, while you are still at the accident scene, collect the following information:

· Get the name, address, and telephone number of the other driver(s) involved in the motorcycle accident.

· Get the drivers license number(s) and insurance information of the other driver(s), involved in the Michigan motorcycle accident.

· Get the make, model and year of the other vehicles(s) involved in the Michigan motorcycle accident and check the vehicle registration(s).

· Take down the name and address of the owner of each vehicle involved in the Michigan motorcycle accident, if a driver does not own that vehicle.

· If a business vehicle is involved in the Michigan motorcycle accident, write down the name, address, and telephone number of that business.

· If a leased or rented vehicle is involved in the accident, write down the name, address, and telephone number of the rental company.

· Give your name, address, drivers license number and insurance information to the other driver(s) involved in the Michigan motorcycle accident.

· Look around the accident scene to locate all possible witnesses. Ask for their names, addresses, and telephone numbers (home, cell, and work). If the witnesses to the accident do not want to get involved, write down their automobile license plate numbers and the states where the license plates were issued.

· Listen carefully to comments that the other driver(s) involved in the motorcycle accident, about events leading up to the accident, such as "I didn't see you," and write down their comments.

Call the police, or have someone else call them immediately. Generally, the police officer will interview all the drivers and any witnesses at the accident scene.

The police may also collect vital physical evidence and record the location of skid marks, highway signs and markings, and debris from the accident. All this information could be critical to "reconstruction" of the Michigan motorcycle accident, to determine the speed of each vehicle, the point of impact, and the person responsible for the accident.

At the scene, ask the police officer to find out where the other driver was going. If the driver was traveling on a work assignment, you may have legal claims against both the careless driver and his or her employer, for injuries you suffered in the Michigan motorcycle accident.

If you did not go to the emergency room right after the accident, see a doctor as soon as possible. It is very important to get a check-up, because you may not be able to tell how badly you are hurt right after an accident. Be sure to follow all the doctor’s instructions about further medical care, tests, treatment, or restrictions on your activity.

After a serious motorcycle accident, the at-fault driver or his or her insurance company may try to take advantage of an injured victim. To avoid this, follow these guidelines:

· Do NOT get into an argument with the other driver(s) involved in the Michigan motorcycle accident about what happened.

· Do NOT sign any statements or documents about the facts of the accident.

· Do NOT have your bike repaired. Wait until you have an experience Michigan motorcycle accident attorney, who will get your bike photographed and inspected, notify the other driver's insurance company, and show it the damage to your motorcycle.

· Do NOT answer questions from an insurance company or from an attorney representing the other driver involved in the Michigan motorcycle accident.

· If your own insurance policy requires you to report your Michigan motorcycle accident within a certain time, get an attorney to help you with this as well.

If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a Michigan motorcycle accident, contact an experienced Michigan motorcycle accident lawyer.