A motorcycle crash can upend everything in an instant—serious injuries, emergency care and follow-up treatment, mounting medical bills, and time off work that strains your finances and your family. While you focus on healing, the last thing you need is pushback from insurance companies or confusion about Michigan’s rules for riders.
At Liss, Shapero & Mitnick (LSM), we are client-first Metro Detroit motorcycle accident attorneys who know how to counter bias against riders and build strong, evidence-driven claims. From day one, you get our entire team—clear communication, compassionate guidance, and relentless advocacy aimed at the maximum recovery available under Michigan law.
Your first step is simple and risk-free: we offer a free, no-obligation consultation, and we work on a contingency fee—no fee unless we win. We’ll listen to your story, explain your options in plain English, and handle the insurers and paperwork so you can focus on getting better.
Proudly based in Berkley, we serve riders in Detroit and across Oakland, Wayne, Macomb, and Washtenaw Counties—helping injured motorcyclists throughout all of Michigan by phone, video, or in-person meetings.
What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Call 911 and get medical care
Report the crash and request EMS and police. Even if you feel “okay,” accept transport if advised—adrenaline can hide concussions, internal injuries, or fractures. Ask how to obtain the police report number.
Document the scene
Use your phone (or ask someone you trust) to capture:
- Wide and close photos/video of vehicle positions, damage, road layout, and your injuries
- Road evidence: debris, skid/scuff marks, fluid trails, potholes, loose gravel, construction zones
- Conditions: weather, lighting, traffic signals/signs, malfunctioning lights, faded lane markings
- Context: nearby businesses or homes that may have security or doorbell cameras
Get information
Collect and safely store:
- Other drivers’ names, contact info, license numbers, and insurance details
- Witness names and phone numbers (ask them to text you their contact)
- Plate numbers and VINs of all involved vehicles
- The responding agency and officer name/badge; request the police report number
Preserve your gear and bike
Do not repair, wash, or throw away anything:
- Motorcycle: leave as-is until photographed and inspected
- Helmet, jacket, gloves, boots, clothing: keep unwashed—impact marks and damage are evidence
- Remove and save aftermarket parts and broken components in a labeled bag/box
- Store everything in a dry place; take high-resolution photos before moving it
Avoid insurer statements
Politely decline recorded statements or quick settlements until you get counsel. Insurers may use your words against you or undervalue bike/gear and injury claims.
Call LSM for a free case review
Contact Liss, Shapero & Mitnick (LSM) as soon as possible. We will:
- Protect and preserve evidence (including letters to prevent spoliation)
- Canvass for video, secure 911/CAD records, and obtain the full crash report
- Handle all adjuster communications and set up benefits/claims
- Map a plan for medical documentation, wage loss, and bike/gear recovery
Michigan Motorcycle Claims
Michigan’s motorcycle rules are not the same as standard car claims. Different policies can apply depending on what vehicles were involved and where coverage exists. We’ll translate the fine print into clear next steps for your specific situation.
Medical & wage benefits (first-party benefits)
These benefits help with the immediate, practical costs after a crash:
- Medical bills & rehab: ER visits, surgery, therapy, meds, medical devices, and mileage to appointments.
- Wage loss: A portion of income if injuries keep you from working.
- Replacement/attendant services: Help with daily tasks and in-home care when prescribed.
Who pays? In many crashes involving a car or truck, Michigan’s priority rules often look first to the auto insurer for that motor vehicle. If no qualifying policy applies, we pursue other options such as any optional motorcycle PIP you purchased, your own auto policy (in limited scenarios), or the Michigan Assigned Claims system as a last resort. We’ll map the coverage stack and coordinate benefits so bills are routed correctly.
Pain & suffering (third-party claim)
You can pursue non-economic damages (pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life) against an at-fault driver when Michigan’s injury threshold is met. In plain English, that means:
- A serious impairment of body function (a significant impact on your normal life),
- Permanent serious disfigurement, or
- Wrongful death.
We gather medical proof and witness evidence to demonstrate how the crash changed your life and to establish fault.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM)
Hit-and-run? Driver with too little insurance? UM/UIM coverage can step in to cover losses the at-fault driver can’t. Riders benefit from UM/UIM because motorcycle injuries are often severe and expensive.
- We audit all applicable policies—your motorcycle policy, any auto policies in your household, possible umbrella coverage, and sometimes employer policies—to maximize recovery.
- We handle the claim presentation and negotiations so your carrier treats you fairly.
Property damage & gear
Your ride and your protective equipment matter:
- Bike repair or replacement (including custom parts and accessories).
- Diminished value where applicable.
- Protective gear (helmet, jacket, gloves, boots, electronics) documented and claimed.
We preserve the motorcycle and gear as evidence first, then pursue payment through the proper insurer(s) without jeopardizing your injury case.
Evidence We Use to Prove Your Case
On-scene & digital evidence
We collect and secure the data that tells the story of your crash:
- Crash data: vehicle event data recorders (where available), speed/braking, lighting, and turn-signal use.
- CCTV/doorbell & dashcams: canvassing nearby homes and businesses; rapid preservation letters so footage isn’t overwritten.
- GPS/app data: location pings from phones, rideshare or fitness apps, and navigation logs that place vehicles and timelines.
- 911 audio & CAD reports: dispatch recordings and computer-aided dispatch timelines to lock in who said what, and when.
- Scene documentation: skid/scuff marks, debris fields, roadway defects, weather and lighting conditions, traffic signal timing.
Reconstruction & experts
When defendants argue about how the crash happened, we bring in specialists:
- Accident reconstructionists: speed, angles, time–distance analyses, and visibility studies.
- Human factors experts: perception–reaction time, conspicuity of motorcycles, driver attention and distraction.
- Biomechanics & medical causation experts: link forces from the collision to specific injuries.
- Economic & vocational experts: calculate lost wages and future earning capacity; assess retraining needs.
Medical proof
We translate your medical journey into clear, compelling evidence:
- Records & imaging: ER notes, orthopedic and neuro records, operative reports, X-rays, CT/MRI findings.
- Treatment plans & prognosis: physician opinions on restrictions, expected recovery, and future care needs.
- Life-care planning: detailed projections for surgeries, therapies, medications, mobility aids, home modifications, and in-home assistance—so the full cost of your injuries is accounted for.
How LSM Builds Your Motorcycle Case
Free consultation & case mapping
We start by listening—how the crash happened, your injuries, and how life has changed. Then we outline a tailored game plan, identify likely insurance coverages, and calendar critical deadlines. You’ll leave the consult with clear next steps and a direct line to our team.
Independent investigation (scene, vehicles, witnesses, video)
We move fast to lock down proof: photograph and measure the scene, inspect the motorcycle and other vehicles, obtain the full police file, and canvass for CCTV/doorbell/dashcam footage. We contact witnesses early and issue preservation letters so evidence isn’t lost.
Expert analysis (reconstruction, medical, economic)
LSM brings in the right specialists—accident reconstructionists to model speed/angles/visibility, medical experts to connect injuries to the crash and forecast future care, and economists/vocational experts to quantify wage loss and diminished earning capacity.
Comprehensive damages model (present and future)
We account for all losses: medical bills and rehabilitation, mileage, wage loss, household/attendant care, home or vehicle modifications, pain and suffering, scarring/disfigurement, and property damage to your bike and protective gear. We build a life-care plan when needed so nothing gets left out.
Negotiation with insurers/defense; trial-ready if needed
We take over adjuster communications and present evidence-backed demand packages. If the defense won’t deal fairly, we file suit and move your case forward in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, and surrounding courts—fully prepared to try the case when it serves your best interests.
Protect Your Rights Now — Free Metro Detroit Motorcycle Case Review
A motorcycle crash can derail your health, work, and finances in seconds. Evidence fades, video gets overwritten, and insurers move quickly to limit payouts. Don’t let them set the narrative. Put Liss, Shapero & Mitnick (LSM) on your side—attorneys who understand Michigan’s unique rules for riders and how to counter bias against motorcyclists.
We act fast to preserve proof, coordinate medical and wage benefits, and build a compelling claim for full and fair compensation—including pain and suffering, future care, and your bike/gear. You’ll get clear communication, a tailored strategy, and our entire team behind you from day one.
Your consultation is free and confidential, and you pay nothing unless we win. Meet in person, by phone, or via secure video—whatever supports your recovery.
Contact Liss, Shapero & Mitnick (LSM)
Phone: 248-584-1300
Toll-Free: 1-855-LISS-LAW (1-855-547-7529)
Address: 2695 Coolidge Highway, Berkley, MI 48072