Southfield Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Why Choose Our Southfield Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Choosing the right attorney can make all the difference in your case’s outcome, especially when dealing with something as serious as a bicycle accident in Southfield. At Goodman Acker, we understand the complexities of Michigan’s legal landscape and have a proven track record of delivering results.

With over 30 years of experience and a 99% success rate, our firm has secured multi-million dollar settlements for clients, many of whom suffered injuries from bicycle accidents like yours.

Our Southfield office is ideally situated to serve the local community, located just a few blocks from I-696. Whether you’re coming from nearby neighborhoods or the surrounding suburbs, reaching us is simple and straightforward.

What sets Goodman Acker apart isn’t just our success rate—it’s our commitment to our clients. We understand that each case is unique, and we tailor our approach to meet each client’s specific needs. From the moment you walk through our doors, you’ll work directly with an experienced attorney who will guide you through every step of the legal process.

We pride ourselves on our personalized approach, ensuring that you’re informed and confident as we pursue the best possible outcome for your case.

Compensation for Bicycle Accident Victims

In Michigan, the compensation available to victims of bicycle accidents can be divided into three main categories: economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages. Each category addresses different aspects of the losses you may have suffered.

Economic Damages

Economic damages cover the tangible, out-of-pocket expenses that result from your accident. In Michigan, the no-fault insurance law, under MCL 500.3107, allows injured cyclists to recover economic damages even if a motor vehicle wasn’t directly involved in the accident.

These damages can include:

• Medical Expenses: This covers emergency room visits, hospital stays, ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, and necessary medical equipment.
• Lost Wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, you can recover compensation for the income you’ve lost during your recovery. Michigan’s no-fault insurance typically covers up to 85% of your lost income for up to three years.
• Household Services: If your injuries require you to hire help with household chores or childcare, Michigan’s no-fault law can also cover these.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages compensate for the more subjective, non-monetary impacts of your injuries. These can be harder to quantify but are just as important in ensuring you receive fair compensation. Michigan law allows you to seek non-economic damages through a third-party liability claim against the at-fault driver or their insurance company.

This claim can include compensation for:

• Pain and Suffering: This covers the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injuries.
• Emotional Distress: Serious accidents often lead to significant psychological effects, such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD, for which you may receive compensation.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injuries prevent you from participating in activities you once enjoyed, you may be entitled to compensation for this loss.

Punitive Damages

While rare in Michigan, punitive damages may apply in cases involving the defendant’s particularly reckless or egregious behavior. These damages punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct.

Breaking Down Bicycle Accident Claims

Types of Bicycle Accidents

• Motor Vehicle Collisions: The most common type of bicycle accident involves a collision with a car, truck, or other motor vehicle. These accidents often result from distracted driving, failure to yield, or drivers not noticing cyclists when turning or merging.
• Dooring Accidents: These occur when a driver or passenger opens a car door into the path of an oncoming cyclist. Michigan law requires that vehicle occupants check for approaching cyclists before opening their doors, but violations are still common.
• Hit-and-Run Accidents: Unfortunately, some drivers flee the scene after striking a cyclist. These cases are particularly challenging, requiring significant legal expertise to identify the responsible party and pursue compensation.

Common Bicycle Accident Injuries

• Head Injuries: Despite wearing helmets, cyclists can suffer from concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and other severe head trauma in an accident.



• Fractures and Broken Bones: The impact of a collision can lead to broken arms, legs, ribs, and other fractures, often requiring extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: Sprains, strains, and other soft tissue injuries are also common, sometimes leading to long-term pain and disability.

Legal Recourse Options for Victims

• No-Fault Insurance: Under Michigan’s no-fault insurance laws, cyclists injured in motor vehicle accidents can claim benefits such as medical expenses and lost wages, even if the cyclist was partially at fault (more on this below). MCL 500.3101 et seq. outlines how this system works and the rights and responsibilities of accident victims in Michigan.
• Comparative Negligence: Michigan follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning that you can still recover damages even if you are partially responsible for the accident. However, your compensation will decrease by your percentage of fault.
• Third-Party Liability Claims: If your injuries are severe, you may be able to file a third-party liability claim against the at-fault driver to recover additional compensation for pain and suffering. This is particularly relevant in cases involving significant injuries or fatalities.

Fighting the Insurance Company

After a bicycle accident, dealing with insurance companies can quickly become one of the most challenging aspects of your recovery.

While Michigan’s no-fault insurance system is designed to ensure that accident victims receive compensation without needing to prove fault, the reality is often more complicated. 

Insurance companies, even your own, are businesses with a primary goal of minimizing payouts. This can leave you facing a battle to secure the compensation you deserve.

Common Challenges with Insurance Companies

• Disputing Injury Severity: Insurers may argue that your injuries are not as severe as claimed, attempting to minimize the payout.
• Assigning Fault: Insurance companies might claim that you were partially or entirely at fault for the accident to reduce or deny your claim.
• Downplaying Long-Term Impact: Insurers often suggest that your injuries won’t have long-term effects, leading to lower compensation offers.
• Challenging Medical Necessity: They might question the necessity of certain medical treatments, suggesting that some of your care is unrelated to the accident.
• Denial of Non-Economic Damages: While Michigan’s no-fault system covers economic damages like medical bills, non-economic damages such as pain and suffering require a third-party liability claim, which insurers often resist.

How an Attorney Can Help

• Counter Tactics: An attorney can effectively counter the tactics insurance companies use against you.
• Evidence Gathering: Your lawyer will gather evidence to support your claim, including medical records, witness statements, and expert testimony.
• Negotiation: An experienced attorney will negotiate directly with the insurance company to secure a fair settlement.
• Court Representation: If necessary, your attorney can take your case to court to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
• Understanding Michigan Law: A lawyer with expertise in Michigan’s no-fault insurance and comparative negligence laws will ensure that the insurance companies do not unfairly blame you for the accident.

What to Do After an Accident

After a bicycle accident, your actions can significantly affect your ability to secure compensation and protect your legal rights. Here’s what you should do:

Post-Accident Actions

• Follow Your Treatment Plan: Adhere strictly to the medical treatment plan provided by your healthcare professionals. This not only aids your recovery but also serves as documented proof of your injuries and their impact on your life.
• Keep Detailed Records: Maintain a file with all relevant documents, including medical bills, receipts for any related expenses, and a copy of the police report. Also, keep a journal documenting your symptoms, treatment progress, and how the injuries affect your daily life.
• Avoid Making Statements: Be cautious about making statements to the insurance company, especially without consulting an attorney. Insurers may use your words against you to minimize your claim. It’s best to let your lawyer handle all communications with the insurance company.
• Limit Social Media Activity: Refrain from posting about the accident or your injuries on social media. Insurance companies may monitor your accounts and use anything you post as evidence to dispute your claim.

Bringing Information to Your Lawyer

• Organize Your Evidence: Compile all the documentation and bring it to your initial consultation with your lawyer. This includes the police report, medical records, receipts, photos, witness contact information, and any correspondence with the insurance company.
• Be Transparent: Provide your attorney with all the details of the accident, including any potential contributing factors on your part. Transparency will allow your lawyer to prepare for any challenges that may arise and ensure the best possible representation.

Secure Your Future with Goodman Acker

Choosing the right legal representation after a bicycle accident can make all the difference in securing the compensation and justice you deserve. At Goodman Acker, we combine extensive legal expertise with a personalized approach to ensure that every client receives the attention and advocacy they need during a difficult time.

Our proven track record, with a 99% success rate and decades of experience in handling complex personal injury cases, speaks for itself.

We understand the challenges you face—from dealing with insurance companies to navigating the intricacies of Michigan’s no-fault insurance laws—and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Our dedicated team is committed to fighting for your rights and maximizing the compensation you receive for your injuries, pain, and suffering.

Don’t wait any longer to take action. Contact Goodman Acker today at (248) 831-1507 for a free consultation, and let us help you take the first step toward securing your future. With our Southfield personal injury lawyers by your side, you can focus on your recovery while we handle the rest.

Goodman Acker P.C. – Southfield Office Location

17000 W 10 Mile Rd 2nd Floor
Southfield, MI 48075
(248) 831-1507

LEGALLY REVIEWED BY BARRY J. GOODMAN

Barry J. Goodman has devoted his professional life to keeping courthouse doors open for victims seeking justice. Always a tireless advocate for his own clients, Goodman sees his responsibility as a Detroit personal injury attorney in a broader sense as well. [ Attorney Bio ]