1. Do not leave the scene of the accident.

2. Call the police/911 immediately. Make a police report.

3. Obtain the following information if possible. It's easy to just take a picture with your phone.

A. The at-fault drivers license. (name, address, telephone number, driver's license number)

B. Other driver's insurance information

C. License plate

D. Witnesses-get name and telephone number

E. Police Officer: get the police report number. Most often the will give you their card with the incident number and online info as to how to obtain it.

4. Photograph:

A. Take photos of the vehicles involved.

B. take photos of the scene so we can explain how the crash occurred.

5. Do not admit the you were the cause of the accident. This will be determined by the investigating police officer.

6. Provide the investigating office your version of what happened. If it was the other driver's fault; state so assertively.

7. Get medical treatment immediately. Make sure you let the doctor know all your symptoms, some may not seem as significant at the time, but they could be warning signs of a bigger problem. Often you will feel more pain a couple days after the accident. Under the Michigan No-Fault Law you are entitled to medical benefits for treatment arising out of any injuries that you receive in most automobile accidents. However, if you delay treatment these claims could be denied as not being related to the accident.

8. Contact our office for an explanation and advice as to how the law applies to your situation and crash facts.

9. Contact your insurance company.

When a Michigan biker is involved in a motorcycle wreck, the following explains the basics: There are many exceptions and the outcome depends on the exact facts of your situation and crash. Each accident is unique, so please call us so we can explain your individual situation. Most often, there are potentially three claims: a No-Fault Claim, an Injury Claim and a Collision Claim.

• The No-Fault Claim potentially pays for all medical bills for life,  85% wage loss up to approximately $4,900 per month, $20.00 per day for household chores, and mileage paid to/from doctors appointments.

• The Injury Claim is against the negligent driver and is to collect damages for pain and suffering, disfigurement, death and/or excess wage loss.

• The Collision Claim is with your own insurance company and pays to fix your motorcycle or pays the fair market value of the bike at the time of the crash.  You can not make the other guy’s insurance company pay for your bike’s damage or even the deductible (there are some exceptions).

  Go to our Video Explanations Page to learn more about the law from Attorney Jason Waechter, The Motorcycle Lawyer sm in Michigan.