Motorcycle Accidents in Metro Detroit: Legal Rights for Riders

Motorcycle season is in full swing across Macomb, Wayne, and Oakland counties, and the 2024 data from Michigan State Police shows the risks are real. According to the Michigan State Police 2023/2024 Year End Comparison, motorcycle-involved crashes increased 4 percent in 2024, from 3,056 to 3,187. Motorcyclist fatalities rose 2 percent, from 165 to 168. As more riders take to Metro Detroit roads during the summer months, the risk of serious motorcycle crashes also increases.

Where Motorcycle Crashes Happen

According to the Michigan Secretary of State’s Look Twice motorcycle safety data, 84 percent of motorcyclist-vehicle crashes in Michigan happen on streets, not highways. The most common crash scenario is a vehicle turning left into an oncoming motorcyclist at an intersection — exactly the type of situation that occurs repeatedly on high-volume Metro Detroit corridors like Gratiot Avenue, Van Dyke Avenue, Mound Road, and Hall Road, where left turns across multi-lane traffic are a constant feature of daily driving.

The Secretary of State also notes that motorcyclists are difficult to see due to their size, and that their speed and distance are harder for drivers to judge, particularly at intersections. These factors contribute to why left-turn crashes account for a disproportionate share of serious motorcycle injuries in Michigan.

What Michigan Law Says About Motorcycle Licensing and Helmets

According to the Michigan State Police Office of Highway Safety Planning, half of all motorcycle fatalities in Michigan involve riders who are not properly licensed. Michigan law requires a motorcycle endorsement (CY) on a driver’s license to legally ride on state roadways. Riding without the endorsement is a misdemeanor that can result in points and fines up to $300.

Michigan allows riders over 21 who have held a motorcycle endorsement for at least two years, and who carry at least $20,000 in medical benefits coverage, to ride without a helmet. For riders who do not meet those conditions, a helmet meeting federal safety standards is required under MCL 257.658.

What Legal Options May Be Available After a Motorcycle Crash

When a motorcycle crash is caused by another driver, particularly in a left-turn or intersection collision, the injured rider may have grounds to pursue a claim beyond what Michigan’s no-fault PIP benefits cover. Eligibility for no-fault PIP benefits after a motorcycle crash follows different rules than for occupants of passenger vehicles. The applicable coverage depends on the circumstances of the crash and the insurance policies available. An attorney can help determine what coverage may apply and whether additional claims may be available.

When the crash was caused by another driver’s negligence, an injured motorcyclist may also have a liability claim for pain and suffering, serious impairment of a bodily function, and other non-economic losses. Michigan courts have recognized that motorcyclists have the same rights as other drivers on the road, and an experienced attorney can evaluate what claims may be available based on the specific facts of a crash.

If you were injured in a motorcycle crash in Macomb, Wayne, or Oakland County, our team may be able to help. To speak with a Michigan personal injury attorney, contact us today.

Sources: Michigan State Police – 2023/2024 Year End Comparison
Michigan Secretary of State – Look Twice Motorcycle Safety
Michigan State Police OHSP – Motorcyclist Safety
Michigan Legislature – MCL 257.658