Michigan motorcycle accident lawyer, Daniel L. Buckfire, publishes FREE Michigan motorcycle accident report for all motorcyclists in Michigan. The insurance report discusses the insurance coverage you should have on your bike along with the biggest insurance mistakes that riders make. To learn more about Mr. Buckfire's firm, visit http://www.buckfirelaw.com

1. The Michigan Motorcycle
Insurance Report
“The Biggest Insurance Mistakes that Riders Make”
By:
Daniel L. Buckfire
Michigan Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Call Toll Free: (800) 606-1717
www.BuckfireLaw.com
www.FreeMotorcycleReport.com

2. THE MICHIGAN MOTORCYLE INSURANCE REPORT
The Free Report by our Michigan personal injury lawyers teaches Michigan mo
purchasing the proper insurance coverage before they go for a ride. All too often, bikers
buy what they believe to be "full coverage" for their motorcycle, only to learn later on
that they were not sold the essential coverage to protect themselves in the event of a
tragic accident. Because injuries suffered in motorcycle accidents are often
catastrophic, it is necessary to review your motorcycle insurance coverage
immediately to learn if you are properly protected in the event of an accident.
The Michigan Secretary of State has a website dedicated to Motorcycle Laws &
Regulations and the requirements to operate a motorcycle in the State of Michigan.
The site quickly advises that “To operate a motorcycle on public roads, you must
possess a valid Michigan driver's license with a motorcycle endorsement.” The
Michigan Motorcycle Operator's Manual can also be found at the site1.
A motorcycle2 is defined3 as a two- or three-wheeled motor vehicle with a saddle
or seat that produces more than 2.0 brake horsepower and can attain speeds greater
than 30 mph on a level surface. Some vehicles, such as "pocket rockets" or "mini
choppers," may meet this definition, but do not have all of the equipment required by
Michigan law to legally drive them on public roads and will not be registered by the
Department of State.
Under Michigan law, motorcycle registrations are issued for one (1) year and
expire on the owner’s birthday. You must register your motorcycle at a Secretary of
State office if you plan to operate it on public roads. When registering, you will need to
provide: Proof of insurance for at least $20,000/$40,000 public liability and $10,000
property damage coverage. This is commonly known as PLPD. For an original
registration, you will also need to provide your motorcycle title, and for a renewal
registration, you must provide the renewal notice or the previous year’s registration.
In addition, motorcycles must have the following equipment, which must be in
good condition: front and rear wheel brakes, headlight, taillight, stop-light, muffler, horn,
rear-view mirror, and permanently attached seat.
1
Visit www.michigan.gov/sos
2
MCL 257.31 “Motorcycle” defined.
3
257.32b “Moped” defined.
Sec. 32b. “Moped” means a 2- or 3-wheeled vehicle which is equipped with a motor that does not exceed
50 cubic centimeters piston displacement, produces 2.0 brake horsepower or less, and cannot propel the
vehicle at a speed greater than 30 miles per hour on a level surface. The power drive system shall not
require the operator to shift gears

3. REQUIRED INSURANCE
As stated above, to register a motorcycle, a proof of insurance for the minimum
Personal Liability Property Damage (PLPD) is required. PLPD insurance protects
you if you cause personal injury or property damages to another person or other
property as a result of your negligence. This means that your own insurance company
will defend you for these claims and pay any settlements or judgments due to your
negligence.
Failure to have the basic minimum PLPD can and typically does have
severe consequences. If a motorcyclist is involved in an accident that involves an
automobile and the motorcycle is not properly insured with basic PLPD, then the
motorcyclist cannot receive Michigan No-Fault benefits; although they may have other
rights against the at fault driver of the motor vehicle.
Michigan No-Fault benefits include but are not necessarily limited to: (1)
payment of all medical bills for treatment of injuries arising out the accident; (2) lost
wage reimbursement up to 85% of an injured person's gross lost wages (there are
monthly caps) for the first three years after the accident; (3) replacement household
services up to $20.00 per day for the first three years after the accident (4) mileage
reimbursement; (5) attendant care services during the period of recovery.
The repercussion of not receiving Michigan No-Fault insurance benefits after a
motorcycle accident is significant because the injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident
are often severe and require extensive medical treatment and care. Without these
benefits, the injured biker will likely be facing substantial medical bills and will not be
receiving payments for lost wages during the period of recovery. This has forced
many injured bikers into filing for personal bankruptcy.
This is a simplification of No-Fault benefits, and you
should consult an attorney if you are involved in an accident
to determine your eligibility for no-fault benefits and other
claims. There are strict time limitations and deadlines!
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4. OPTIONAL INSURANCE COVERAGE
In additional to PLPD, a motorcycle owner can purchase several optional
insurance coverages depending on the insurance carrier. Although this coverage is
"optional," it should be considered as mandatory by every motorcycle owner in
Michigan. No biker in Michigan should take their bike for a ride without having this
coverage in place.
These insurance coverage options protect you in the event you are injured in a
serious motorcycle accident. Without these types of coverage, you may never be fairly
compensated for your injuries and you may be left facing significant medical bills and
expenses for your treatment.
(1) Higher PLPD limits. I recommend that you purchase limits that
adequately protect your assets or at least match what you have purchased for
your car or truck. At a minimum, you should consider purchasing
$100,000.00/$300,000.00 liability coverage, as the cost for purchasing this coverage is
relatively inexpensive.
(2) Medical Payment. This Medical payments coverage, commonly
known as MED PAY, is typically purchased in increments of $5,000.00 up to $25,000.00
in coverage. This coverage would pay for medical expenses if you were in a motorcycle
accident with another biker, due to a road defect, or even a single bike accident. If you
were injured in an accident a car or truck, then you would be eligible for Michigan
No-Fault Insurance benefits and your medical bills would be covered for an
unlimited amount for your lifetime.
I recommend that you purchase as much of this insurance as you can
afford to pay. The MED PAY coverage typically will be primary over your health
insurance, meaning that it will pay benefits before your regular health insurance starts to
pay, but you must read the policy to confirm this.
If you have no other health insurance, you could be facing huge medical
expenses if you do not have this coverage and are injured in a motorcycle accident.
Once your medical bills exceed the amount purchased, then the insurance MED
PAY coverage is terminated and you are responsible for all additional medical
bills. This is why I recommend purchasing the highest amount of coverage that you
can afford.
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5. (3) Uninsured Motorists (UM) Coverage. What is uninsured
motorist bodily injury coverage? Very simply, if a motorcyclist is involved in an
accident with a car, truck, or motorcycle that is uninsured, then the motorcyclist may
pursue a UM claim against his/her own insurance company for their damages, up to the
amount of coverage purchased.
This coverage is essential to have because it protects you from uninsured
drivers. I recommend that you purchase the MAXIMUM UM coverage available.
The reason for this is simple: if you sustain catastrophic injuries as a result of an
uninsured driver; then you want the most coverage available to compensate you for
your pain and suffering and economic damages. This is especially important because
many motorists on our roads and highways have no insurance. To further see why
UM Coverage is essential, please read the CASE STUDY below.
(4) Underinsured Motorists (UIM) Coverage. What is
underinsured motorists (UIM) coverage? UIM coverage is very similar to Uninsured
Motorists Coverage, but it is utilized when a motorcyclist is involved in car, truck, or
motorcycle accident with an insured car, truck, or bike, but the insurance coverage is
minimal or simply does not reflect the value of the damages sustained by the
motorcyclist.
This coverage is essential to have because it protects you from drivers
with the minimum insurance coverage. I recommend that you purchase the
MAXIMUM UIM coverage available.
For example, in Michigan, a motorist is only required to have $20,000.00 in
insurance coverage. Many Michigan motorists purchase this bare minimum coverage.
The amount of $20,000.00 rarely, if ever, covers the injuries and damages sustained by
a motorcyclist when they are involved in a motor vehicle versus motorcycle accident.
This means that a seriously injured biker would only receive a $20,000.00
settlement for his or her injuries.
For example, consider a motorcyclist that sustained damages that are equal to
$500,000.00, but the negligent motorist who caused the accident had only $20,000.00
in liability coverage. Without UIM coverage, the injured biker would only receive a
settlement of $20,000.00. With UIM coverage, the motorcyclist could file a UIM
claim with their own insurance company to seek the difference of the liability
coverage ($20,000.00) and the amount of UIM coverage purchased ($500,000.00),
meaning they could claim an additional $480,000.00 from their own insurance
company. On the other hand, if the motorcyclist only purchased $20,000.00 in UIM
benefits, then they would receive nothing from their insurance carrier because they
would already have received the $20,000.00 from the negligent motorist's insurance
company.
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6. CASE STUDIES
THE NEED FOR UNINSURED
AND UNDER INSURED MOTORCYCLE COVERAGE
The purpose of this case study is to convey to the readers the absolute
necessity of purchasing uninsured (UM) and under insured (UIM) motorist bodily
injury coverage. This attorney received a quote from a well known insurance company
for $500,000.00 in UM/UIM coverage which cost only $80 per year. This $80.00
purchase can be the difference between receiving no settlement at all or a
settlement in the amount of $500,000.00.
I have had two recent clients that were catastrophically injured in motorcycle vs.
car accidents with uninsured motor vehicles. These cases demonstrate the need for
purchasing UM and UIM coverage.
Case Study #1-No UM/UIM Coverage Results in Big Settlement
In the first case, John Jones was operating his motorcycle on Six Mile Road in
Detroit when an illegally parked tractor trailer did not observe him and pulled away from
the curb. John had quick reflexes and was able to avoid the impact with the
tractor trailer by driving left of the center lane and immediately swerved back into
his lane of travel. Unfortunately, an uninsured car commenced a left hand turn when
she observed the tractor trailer pulling away from the curb. The motorcyclist impacted
in a “T” fashion on the driver’s side of this uninsured motor vehicle and was thrown over
the roof of the same car. John sustained significant injuries including fractures to
his arms and legs both requiring surgery. John, who was left handed, lost partial
use of his left arm. Nearly two years after his accident, John had to have his hip
replaced.
Unfortunately, John did not have uninsured (UM) or underinsured motorist
(UIM) coverage on his Harley Davidson motorcycle. The car that caused the
accident which John impacted did not have any insurance. He would have received no
settlement against the uninsured driver of the car even though he was not at fault in the
accident.
On his behalf, I filed a lawsuit claiming that the tractor trailer was also at
fault and obtained a settlement in excess of One Million ($1,000,000.00) Dollars
for John. Also, John qualified for Michigan No-Fault insurance benefits because
another motor vehicle was involved in the accident. I assisted him with this claim
and was able to get all of his medical bills, lost wages, and other benefits paid.
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7. Case Study #2-No UM/UIM Coverage Results in No Settlement
In a more unfortunate circumstance, Richard Smith was traveling eastbound on a
roadway when an uninsured driver of a car, with a high blood alcohol level, took a left
hand turn in front of him and caused a serious accident. Richard sustained severe
and permanent damages and was in a coma for over a week. Richard remains
hospitalized and conservatively his damages exceed Five Million ($5,000,000.00)
Dollars.
Unfortunately for Richard, the drunk driver did not have insurance on his car and
this was the drunk driver’s third criminal violation for operating a vehicle under the
influence of alcohol. The drunk driver had lost his job three months prior to the accident
and was in the middle of a divorce. The drunk driver did not have any assets and was
essentially broke.
Richard did not have uninsured motorist coverage on his motorcycle. He
did have this coverage on his car, but his agent did not sell it to him for his bike. The
coverage would have cost about $80.00 and Richard would have purchased it if his
agent offered it to him or if he would have read this FREE Report before taking his bike
for a ride.
If he had in fact purchased the uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, then he
could have recovered up to the amount of coverage, i.e. potentially Five Hundred
Thousand ($500,000.00) Dollars. Because he did not purchase this coverage, it is
highly unlikely that we will receive any money whatsoever for his pain and suffering
damages from the drunk driver.
I did establish a Michigan No-Fault claim for Richard, so all of his medical bills
that arose out of the accident will be paid for and he will receive his lost wages for three
years. His life has been permanently interrupted and changed by this accident
and he will most likely receive no compensation for his injuries.
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8. NOTES
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9. Michigan Motorcycle Insurance Checklist
Use This Checklist When You Purchase Your Motorcycle Insurance
Under Michigan law, your insurance agent does not have to tell you about
the insurance coverage available for your motorcycle. Simply asking for
"full coverage" does not mean that you will be purchasing the below
coverage. It is your responsibility to ask for and purchase this
coverage.
Public Liability/Property Damage (PLPD)
Mandatory Coverage
Recommend: Purchase the highest limits that you can afford
Medical Payment Coverage
Optional Coverage
Recommend: Purchase with highest limits you can afford (limits
$25,000.00)
Uninsured Motorists Coverage (UM)
Optional Coverage
Recommend: Purchase the highest limits that you can afford
Underinsured Motorists Coverage (UM)
Optional Coverage
Recommend: Purchase with highest limits that you can afford
For any questions about purchasing your motorcycle insurance or your rights
(800) 606-1717
after a Michigan Motorcycle Accident, call us at
www.BuckfireLaw.com
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10. YOUR FREE GUIDE TO
MICHIGAN MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT CASES
Warning: Read This Book Before You Hire A Lawyer Or Speak to
the Insurance Company
Our book sells for $14.95 plus postage but we will send it to you for
FREE if you act NOW!
Our FREE GUIDE explains the Michigan motorcycle accident laws in
easy to understand language. You will eliminate hours of stress,
confusion, and uncertainty simply by reading this book.
The 65 Page Book reveals:
• Why You Need a Lawyer When Dealing With the Insurance
Company
• Are You Entitled to Michigan No-Fault Insurance Benefits
• How To Get The Best Money Settlement for Your Injuries
• How To Find The Best Lawyer For Your Case
• Who Must Pay For Motorcycle Damage Claims
• AND MUCH MORE
Our FREE GUIDE explains the secret strategies that insurance companies
will use to avoid paying you a fair settlement. It also reveals why you NEED
to find the best Michigan motorcycle accident lawyer for your case and the
crucial questions that you must ask before you hire a lawyer.
To Request Your FREE COPY, visit
www.MichiganMotorcycleBook.com
Or call us at 1-800-606-1717
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11. Your Best Source For Michigan Motorcycle Legal News
Visit our new Legal Blog Site which is dedicated to Fighting
For The Rights Of Injured Bikers.
Our Blog is updated daily with important news and
information for Michigan Bikers on:
Motorcycle Accidents
Insurance Information
Accident Statistics
Helmet Laws
Registration Information
Training/Education Classes
Safety Articles
Head Trauma
Wrongful Death
Injuries
Motorcycle Resources
Subscribe to the Blog for Free and automatically receive
these updates at your own computer by simply clicking on
the button below when you visit the site at
http://MichiganMotorcycleLawyerBlog.com
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12. "Michigan Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Representing Injured Bikers"
We are a Michigan law firm that counsels injury
victims and their families. By handling a small
number of select cases, we offer high-quality
personalized service to our clients, using
experienced attorneys, not paralegals.
We provide free legal books and information to the
public and we maintain a superior Web site with
frequently refreshed content that includes
downloadable, no-cost legal forms and educational
videos.
We value our reputation for integrity and skill and
enjoy an outstanding track record of success.
To speak to one of our Lawyers, call us at
(800) 606-1717
For Additional Copies of This Report, visit
www.FreeMotorcycleReport.com
Copyright 2008 by Lawrence J. Buckfire
All rights reserved. No part of this report may be used or reproduced
in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of the author.
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