The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that, on average, there are over 700 bicycle accident fatalities and 45,000 bicycle accident injuries in America each year. Anyone who rides a bicycle regularly is probably well aware of the dangers that come with sharing the road with motor vehicles. Many motor vehicle drivers fail to appreciate a bicyclist’s right-of-way and fail to provide bicyclists with an adequate margin when passing. The lack of respect for or familiarity with a bicyclist’s right-of-way and driver inattention to the roadway are major causes of collisions between motor vehicles and bicycles. In this regard, bicyclists are particularly at risk from drivers who turn without yielding the right-of-way; drivers who pull out into the street from a parking lot or driveway; drivers who fail to yield to a bicycle in an intersection; and drivers who fail to give bicyclists adequate room while passing. Due to the lack of physical protection, bicyclists can sustain catastrophic injuries when involved in collisions with motor vehicles. These injuries can include traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation, and severe orthopedic injuries that can require lifetime medical care and involve permanent disability. Many of these injuries result in the death of the bicyclist.

The same considerations apply in accidents involving pedestrians and motor vehicles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are over 4,000 traffic related pedestrian deaths and over 61,000 pedestrian injuries in the United States. A pedestrian accident frequently occurs because of driver negligence. Drivers have a responsibility to be aware of pedestrians and the legal duty to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks and other designated areas. In addition, drivers have a responsibility to avoid placing pedestrians in harms way when the driver is in a position to avoid injuring the pedestrian. Common causes of pedestrian-motor vehicle accidents include driver inattention or distraction; speeding; failing to recognize a pedestrian’s right-of-way; running a stop sign or a red light; infringing upon a crosswalk; driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Therefore, pedestrians who are injured in motor vehicle accidents should consult with experienced legal counsel and conduct a thorough investigation to determine who bears legal responsibility for the accident and the resulting damages.

Auto No-Fault Law Applicability

Whenever a bicyclist or pedestrian sustains injury as a result of an accident involving a motor vehicle (automobile, pickup truck, SUV, etc.), and the accident occurs in Michigan or the injured person is a Michigan resident, the Michigan Auto No-Fault Insurance Act (MCL 500.3101, et seq) will, in all likelihood, play a major role in determining the rights, benefits, and liabilities of the persons involved in the incident. Therefore, any person sustaining injury in these types of accidents should become very familiar with Michigan no-fault law. This very important law is discussed extensively on this website and the information set forth should be carefully reviewed by any person or family suffering personal injury or wrongful death in accidents involving bicycles and/or pedestrians.

View our video on Pedestrian & Bicycle Accidents

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If you have suffered serious injuries as the result of a motorist's negligence, or a loved one has lost his or her life, our lawyers who handle bicycle accident cases can help. Proudly representing clients throughout the State of Michigan, including Detroit, Flint, Lansing, Jackson, Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo, one of our skilled lawyers can review your case free of charge. Contact our personal injury lawyers today.