Okemos Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Local Representation Backed by Over $1 Billion Recovered for Michigan Clients

Cyclists have no steel frame protecting them in a collision with a motor vehicle. When a car, truck, or bus strikes a bicycle rider, the injuries are often catastrophic: broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, or worse. At Grewal Law PLLC, we represent bicycle accident victims from our office in Okemos and have recovered more than one billion dollars for clients throughout Michigan. Our family-owned firm brings over 100 years of combined legal experience and the same preparation that carried landmark cases against institutions such as Michigan State University and the University of Michigan to every client we serve.

If you or someone you love was hurt in a bicycle crash in the Okemos area, our Okemos bicycle accident lawyers offer free case reviews and are available 24/7. We handle every stage of a personal injury claim, from initial investigation and insurance negotiation through litigation if a fair resolution isn’t reached.

To schedule a free case review with our bicycle accident lawyer in Okemos, call (517) 245-0700 or contact us online today.

Michigan Bicycle Laws Okemos Riders Should Know

Michigan law treats cyclists as full participants in traffic. Understanding your rights and obligations on the road helps establish what a driver owed you and whether they fell short of that duty.

• Equal Road Rights: Bicyclists in Michigan have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle operators on public roads.
• 3-Foot Safe Passing Rule: Under MCL 257.636, drivers must leave at least three feet of clearance when passing a cyclist. Failure to do so can be strong evidence of negligence in a bicycle accident claim.
• Road Positioning: Cyclists must ride as close to the right side of the road as practicable, with exceptions for passing, preparing a left turn, avoiding hazards, or navigating a substandard-width lane.
• Helmet Requirements: Michigan has no statewide helmet mandate for adult cyclists. Riders under 18 are required to wear one, but the absence of a helmet doesn’t bar an injured cyclist from pursuing a claim.
• Lighting Requirements: When riding between sunset and sunrise, bicycles must have a white front light visible from 500 feet and a red rear reflector or light visible from 100 to 600 feet when directly in front of vehicle headlights.
• Hand Signals: Cyclists are required to signal turns and stops using hand signals.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Okemos

The actions you take in the hours and days after a crash can affect your ability to recover compensation. Protect yourself by following these steps:

1. Seek Medical Attention: Get evaluated even if injuries seem minor. Some injuries, including internal trauma and concussions, aren’t immediately apparent. A medical record also connects your injuries to the crash.
2. Call the Police: A police report creates an official record of the accident and documents the scene while details are fresh.
3. Collect Evidence: Photograph the scene, your bicycle, visible injuries, and any vehicles involved. Gather contact information from witnesses.
4. Avoid Speaking to Insurance Adjusters: Adjusters represent the insurer’s financial interests. Consult an attorney before giving any recorded or written statement.
5. File for PIP Benefits Promptly: Under MCL 500.3145, an injured cyclist must apply for no-fault personal injury protection benefits within one year of the crash or lose all entitlement to those benefits.
6. Contact a Bicycle Accident Attorney: Grewal Law PLLC offers free case reviews and guides clients through every step of the claims process, from filing for benefits to pursuing a third-party tort claim.

When Is a Driver Liable for a Bicycle Accident?

A bicycle accident claim requires proving that another party’s negligence caused the collision and resulted in harm to you. Michigan’s comparative negligence rule allows a cyclist who is partially at fault to still recover compensation, as long as the cyclist isn’t more than 50 percent responsible. Any award is reduced by the cyclist’s percentage of fault.

Common acts of driver negligence in bicycle accidents include:

• Speeding: Many drivers misjudge the space needed to pass a cyclist safely, become impatient behind a slower rider, or simply drive recklessly near someone sharing the road. Any of these behaviors can produce a serious or fatal crash.
• Negligent Maneuvering: Drivers who don’t carefully watch cyclists and their surroundings may fail to move over in time, striking the rear of a bicycle with serious force. Misjudging a bike’s speed or width isn’t an excuse under Michigan law.
• Failure to Yield: At intersections, drivers must yield to cyclists as they would any other vehicle. Failing to see an approaching cyclist or misreading right-of-way rules can cause collisions with significant injuries.
• Dooring: A dooring incident occurs when a driver or passenger opens a vehicle door into a cyclist’s path, leaving the rider no time to stop or swerve. Michigan law prohibits opening a car door into moving traffic, and a dooring crash can support a negligence claim.
• Drunk Driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal in every state. The CDC reports that alcohol is a factor in approximately one-third of all vehicle fatalities in the United States. A driver who was impaired at the time of a crash may face both criminal liability and civil responsibility for the injuries they cause.

When negligence is established, you may file an insurance claim against the at-fault driver’s liability coverage. If that driver carries insufficient insurance, Grewal Law PLLC pursues uninsured and underinsured motorist claims on your behalf. We also investigate all responsible parties, including government entities responsible for road maintenance and vehicle manufacturers when a defect contributed to the crash.

Our Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Okemos Is Ready to Fight for You

Serious bicycle accidents can mean months of medical treatment, time away from work, and lasting physical consequences. You deserve an attorney who takes that seriously. Grewal Law PLLC is a family-owned firm with an office in Okemos, and we give each client direct, one-on-one attention throughout their case. Our attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, Martindale-Hubbell, and Michigan Lawyers Weekly, and our record of recoveries exceeding one billion dollars reflects what committed advocacy can accomplish.

If a fair settlement with the insurance company or the at-fault motorist isn’t within reach, we can represent you in a personal injury lawsuit. We evaluate your injuries and circumstances carefully so you understand what your claim may be worth and what legal avenues are available.

Contact our offices online or call (517) 245-0700 for a free consultation with our bicycle accident lawyer in Okemos.