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This crash happens thousands of times every year across Michigan, and it is one of the most common causes of serious motorcycle injuries in the state. The rider often does nothing wrong. They are traveling in their lane, at a legal speed, with the right of way. None of that prevents the impact. And in the aftermath, many riders find themselves not only dealing with painful injuries, but fighting an insurance company that is already building a case against them.
If you ride in Michigan, or if you love someone who does, understanding how these crashes happen and what follows matters. A knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyer in Michigan can make a significant difference in what happens next.
"I Didn't See the Motorcycle": What That Defense Actually Means
How Insurers Use Visibility Arguments
Insurance companies representing the at-fault driver often use the "I didn't see them" statement as a foundation for a visibility defense. The argument goes something like this: motorcycles are smaller and harder to see than cars, the rider should have anticipated that drivers might not notice them, and therefore the rider shares some responsibility for the crash.
This is where the legal concept of "conspicuity" comes in. Conspicuity refers to how visible a motorcyclist is to other drivers, including factors like clothing color, headlight use, lane position, and speed. Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys sometimes argue that a rider's lack of conspicuity contributed to the driver's failure to see them.
What Michigan Law Actually Says
Michigan follows a modified comparative fault standard. A rider can recover damages as long as they are not more than 50 percent at fault for the crash. But insurers know that even a partial fault finding reduces the payout, and they often push hard for exactly that outcome.
What a good motorcycle accident attorney in Michigan will do is challenge this defense directly. That includes:
- Obtaining the police report and any available traffic or dashcam footage
- Gathering witness statements from people who saw the crash or the moments before it
- Documenting road conditions, sight lines, and intersection geometry
- Examining whether the driver was distracted, impaired, or simply failed to look carefully enough
- Reviewing whether the motorcycle's headlight was functional and in use
The Injuries Left-Turn Crashes Leave Behind
Road Rash
Road rash is one of the most underestimated injuries in motorcycle crashes. When a rider goes down and slides across pavement, the friction tears through skin and, in serious cases, reaches muscle and bone. What sounds like a surface injury can require skin grafting, carry a significant infection risk, and leave permanent scarring or disfigurement. For riders who are not wearing full gear, the severity increases dramatically.
Fractures
Broken bones are among the most common motorcycle accident injuries. In a left-turn collision, riders frequently suffer fractures to the:
- Wrists and forearms (from instinctively bracing for impact)
- Clavicle and shoulder
- Legs, ankles, and feet
- Ribs
Traumatic Brain Injury
Even with a helmet, the forces involved in a left-turn motorcycle crash can cause traumatic brain injury (TBI). The brain moves inside the skull on impact, and that movement can cause bleeding, bruising, and damage that may not be immediately apparent. Some TBI symptoms are delayed by hours or days, which is one reason why seeking immediate medical attention after any crash is so important, even when a rider feels relatively okay in the moment.
Other Serious Injuries
Left-turn crashes can also cause spinal cord injuries, herniated discs, shoulder tears, knee injuries, and significant psychological effects including anxiety, PTSD, and a lasting fear of returning to the road. The full range of injuries that follow motorcycle accidents reflects just how much force is involved in even a moderate-speed collision.
Michigan's No-Fault Insurance and Motorcycle Riders: It's Complicated
How No-Fault Works Differently for Motorcyclists
Under Michigan's no-fault law, most motor vehicle owners carry personal injury protection (PIP) benefits that cover their own medical expenses and lost wages after a crash, regardless of fault. Motorcycles are not required to carry PIP coverage. That means motorcycle riders involved in accidents often cannot access no-fault PIP benefits through their own policy the way a car driver can.
There are situations where a rider may still be able to access PIP benefits, such as:
- If the rider or a household member has an auto insurance policy with PIP coverage, that policy may apply
- If a motor vehicle (car or truck) was involved in the crash, benefits may be available through that vehicle's insurer under specific priority rules
- If none of the above apply, the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan may provide limited coverage
Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Riders should strongly consider carrying uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage on their motorcycle policy. If the driver who caused the crash has little or no insurance, that coverage can make the difference between a full recovery and a financial crisis. This is one of those conversations worth having with both your insurance agent and an attorney before you ever need it.
Dealing with the At-Fault Driver's Insurer
Because motorcyclists often have limited no-fault benefits, much of a rider's recovery after a serious crash depends on pursuing a claim against the at-fault driver's liability insurance. That insurer's goal is to minimize the payout. Documentation from the moment of the crash forward, including medical records, photos, witness information, and lost wage records, directly shapes the value of that claim.
What the Insurance Company Is Thinking After a Left-Turn Crash
After a motorcycle accident, the at-fault driver's insurance company begins its own investigation immediately. It is worth understanding what that process looks like from their side.
Insurers look for any basis to reduce comparative fault on their insured driver. In a left-turn motorcycle crash, that frequently means:
- Arguing the rider was speeding, even without direct evidence
- Pointing to the rider's clothing, gear, or visibility profile
- Requesting recorded statements from the rider before they have spoken with an attorney
- Delaying communication to create pressure for a quick, low settlement
- Disputing the severity or cause of specific injuries
What to Do After a Left-Turn Motorcycle Crash in Michigan
The steps taken in the hours and days after a crash have a direct impact on the strength of any future claim. Here is a plain-English guide to what matters most.
- Call 911. A police report creates an official record of the crash, the parties involved, and initial accounts of what happened. Do not skip this step even in a minor crash.
- Get medical attention immediately. Some serious injuries, including TBI, do not produce obvious symptoms right away. A medical record from the day of the crash is also critical documentation for your claim.
- Document the scene. If you are physically able, photograph everything: the position of the vehicles, the intersection, road markings, skid marks, damage, and your injuries. Get the names and contact information of any witnesses.
- Note the officer's badge number and the report number. This makes it easier to obtain the official report later.
- Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney. This applies to the other driver's insurer and, in some circumstances, your own.
- Keep records of everything. Medical bills, prescription receipts, time missed from work, and notes about how your injuries are affecting your daily life all matter when calculating damages.
- Contact an attorney before accepting any settlement offer. Early offers are almost never the full value of a serious injury claim.
For more information on the full claims process after a motorcycle accident, visit our Motorcycle Accidents page.
Michigan Roads Deserve Riders Who Are Protected
Motorcycling in Michigan is not just a hobby for the people who do it. It is a connection to the road, to the season, to the particular feeling of moving through the state on two wheels with nothing between you and the landscape. That experience deserves to be protected, not just by gear and good judgment, but by a clear understanding of what happens when someone else's carelessness cuts it short.
Knowing your rights before a crash happens is valuable. Having someone in your corner after one happens is essential. Michigan's no-fault framework is complex, and a serious left-turn collision involves legal and insurance issues that move quickly. The sooner a rider connects with someone who handles these cases, the better positioned they are to protect their claim and their recovery.
Talk to an LSM Lawyer About Your Motorcycle Accident
LSM Lawyers has been representing seriously injured Michigan riders for over 50 years, and we handle motorcycle accident cases across Berkley, Metro Detroit, and the surrounding communities of Oakland, Wayne, Macomb, and Washtenaw counties. If you or someone you love has been hurt in a left-turn crash, our team is available for a free consultation with no pressure and no obligation.
Toll-Free: 1-855-LISS-LAW (1-855-547-7529)
2695 Coolidge Highway, Berkley, MI 48072