What Should I Do If I Was Injured in a Michigan Bicycle Accident?

 Posted on August 10, 2021 in Personal Injury

A bicyclist has little protection when struck by a car, truck, or SUV. Even a collision that appears minor can cause a concussion, broken bones, spinal trauma, internal injuries, or painful soft-tissue damage. Michigan’s final 2025 crash data reported 35 bicyclist deaths, a 21 percent increase from 2024.

If you were hurt while riding, the steps you take next may affect your health and your ability to document a Michigan bicycle accident claim.

Get Medical Care and Report the Crash

Call 911 after a collision involving injury. A police report can identify the driver, witnesses, vehicles, and reported circumstances. Seek prompt medical evaluation even if you did not lose consciousness or believe you can ride away. Headache, dizziness, nausea, numbness, and increasing pain may appear later.

Preserve the Bicycle and Other Evidence

If you can do so safely, photograph the scene, vehicle damage, bicycle, helmet, road surface, signs, lane markings, weather, and visible injuries. Save the driver’s insurance information and witness contacts. Keep damaged clothing, lights, electronics, the helmet, and the bicycle in their post-crash condition until they have been documented. Nearby homes, businesses, and vehicles may have video that is overwritten unless requested quickly.

Michigan Drivers Must Give Bicyclists Space

Michigan law generally requires a motorist overtaking a bicycle to leave at least three feet of space. The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning notes that some communities, including Grand Rapids, have adopted stricter five-foot passing rules. Drivers must also watch for bicyclists before turning across a bike lane or entering or leaving a driveway.

A passing violation, unsafe turn, failure to yield, distraction, speeding, or impaired driving may help establish negligence. The precise facts still matter, and insurers may argue about visibility, lane position, or the bicyclist’s actions.

Identify the Available Insurance

A cyclist injured in a crash involving a motor vehicle may have access to Michigan no-fault benefits, but the correct insurer and available PIP medical limit depend on household policies, coverage choices, and other facts. A separate negligence claim against an at-fault driver may address pain and suffering and other qualifying losses. Do not assume that the driver’s insurer is the only possible source of coverage.

Contact a Grand Rapids Bicycle Accident Attorney

John D. Tallman helps injured cyclists investigate collisions and navigate insurance questions. Call 616-361-8850 or contact the firm for a free consultation. There is no attorney fee unless compensation is recovered.

Sources: Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning bicyclist safety guidance; Michigan State Police final 2025 crash data.