What to Know About Bicycle Accidents in Michigan
Bicycle crashes can leave riders with serious injuries, particularly when a collision involves a motor vehicle. Cyclists and drivers share roads throughout Macomb, Wayne, and Oakland counties, and Michigan law establishes rules governing how bicycles may be operated and how motorists should interact with them. Understanding those rules can become especially important after a crash when questions arise about insurance coverage, fault, and compensation.
Rights and Duties of Cyclists Under Michigan Law
Under MCL 257.657, every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway generally has the same rights and is subject to the same duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except for special bicycle regulations and provisions that by their nature do not apply to cyclists. This means cyclists must follow applicable traffic signals, right-of-way requirements, and other rules of the road.
Under MCL 257.660a, a person operating a bicycle on a highway or street at less than the existing speed of traffic must generally ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. The law provides several exceptions, including when road conditions make the right side unsafe, when the lane is too narrow for a bicycle and vehicle to travel safely side by side, and when the cyclist is preparing to make a left turn.
Under MCL 257.660c, a cyclist lawfully operating on a sidewalk or pedestrian crosswalk generally has the rights and responsibilities applicable to a pedestrian using that sidewalk or crosswalk. Cyclists must yield the right of way to pedestrians, give an audible signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian, and comply with official traffic-control devices that prohibit bicycle use on a sidewalk or crosswalk.
What Drivers Owe Cyclists
Michigan law establishes specific requirements for drivers passing cyclists. When a motorist overtakes a bicycle traveling in the same direction, the driver must generally pass at a safe distance of at least three feet to the left of the bicycle.
Drivers must also operate at a careful and prudent speed based on traffic, roadway, weather, visibility, and other conditions under MCL 257.627. The presence of cyclists and other vulnerable road users may be an important consideration when determining whether a driver was operating safely under the circumstances.
At intersections and crosswalks, the rights and responsibilities of cyclists can depend on where and how the bicycle is being operated. A cyclist lawfully using a crosswalk may have pedestrian rights under Michigan law, while a cyclist operating on the roadway generally has the rights and duties applicable to vehicle drivers.
How No-Fault Benefits Apply to Cyclists
When a cyclist is injured in a crash involving a motor vehicle, Michigan’s no-fault system may provide PIP benefits for allowable medical expenses and wage loss, subject to applicable eligibility, coverage, and priority rules. The insurer or source responsible for paying benefits depends on the cyclist’s individual insurance circumstances and Michigan’s no-fault priority provisions.
No-fault PIP benefits generally do not compensate an injured person for pain and suffering or other noneconomic losses. Whether additional claims may be available against another party depends on the nature and severity of the injuries and the circumstances of the crash. Michigan law addresses claims for noneconomic loss arising from motor vehicle crashes under MCL 500.3135.
How Fault Is Evaluated After a Bicycle Crash
Michigan’s comparative fault rules under MCL 600.2959 allow fault to be allocated among multiple parties. In a bicycle crash, the conduct of both the cyclist and the driver, including where each was positioned, whether applicable traffic laws were followed, and the circumstances leading to the collision, may affect how fault is allocated.
A person’s share of fault can reduce the damages available, and Michigan law places additional limits on noneconomic damages when the injured person is more than 50% at fault. Determining fault after a bicycle crash may require reviewing witness statements, photographs or video, police reports, vehicle damage, and other evidence from the collision.
If you or a family member were injured in a bicycle 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.
Note: Our law office relies on external sources for the content of this post. Although we aim for accuracy, we have not independently verified all facts related to this incident. Please notify Mihelich & Kavanaugh, PLC for corrections if you identify any inaccuracies. Posts will be removed upon request.
Disclaimer: The content of this post is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for business. The information contained herein is not intended to offer legal or medical advice. If you or someone you care about has been injured in an accident, it is recommended to seek immediate medical assistance. The photo featured in this post was not taken at the actual scene of the accident.
