Lansing Bicycle Accident Lawyer | Bike Crash Injury Attorney

Whether you were hit while crossing through downtown, riding near MSU, or navigating traffic on Grand River Avenue, a bicycle accident can leave you with painful injuries, expensive medical bills, and more questions than answers. Michigan law gives cyclists the right to seek compensation after a crash but proving fault and navigating no-fault insurance rules isn’t always simple.

At The Clark Law Office, we help injured cyclists throughout Lansing recover the compensation they deserve. We don’t pass your case off to associates or treat you like a number. You’ll get direct, one-on-one representation from a local attorney who understands both Michigan bike laws and how crashes happen right here in our city.

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Where Bicycle Accidents Happen in Lansing

Lansing may be bike-friendly in many ways, but it’s also home to some of the most dangerous intersections for cyclists in Mid-Michigan. Whether you’re commuting near the Capitol, riding across campus, or using shared trails, crashes often happen because drivers fail to see or yield to cyclists. Understanding where these accidents commonly occur can help show patterns of risk and support your claim if you were hit in one of these high-conflict areas. To highlight the most frequent problem areas, here’s a breakdown of where bike crashes often occur across Lansing and what makes them dangerous:

📍 Location Type	⚠️ Risk Factors	🚨 Common Crashes
Downtown intersections (Capitol Ave, Kalamazoo St)	High vehicle density, turning drivers	Left-turn, side-impact
MSU campus & surrounding roads	Student cyclists, distracted traffic	Dooring, crosswalk strikes
Grand River Ave / Harrison Rd	Fast-moving cars, poor visibility	Rear-end, right hook
Lansing River Trail crossings	Mixed-use paths, limited signage	Pedestrian conflicts, failure to yield
Cedar Street corridor	No dedicated bike lanes, heavy traffic	Sideswipes, aggressive passing

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Lansing

The moments after a bicycle accident can be disorienting, especially if you’ve been hit by a vehicle. But the steps you take immediately after the crash can make a major difference in your health, your recovery, and your ability to file a successful injury claim. Here’s what to do if you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident in Lansing:

Call 911 and wait for help – Always report the accident and request police to document the scene.
Get medical attention – Even if you feel “okay,” get checked for internal injuries, head trauma, or delayed pain.
Take photos – Document the crash scene, your bike, vehicle damage, street signs, and your injuries.
Get the driver’s information – Name, license plate, insurance policy, and contact number.
Speak to witnesses – Ask for names and phone numbers in case liability is disputed later.
Avoid giving statements – Don’t admit fault or talk to the driver’s insurance company until you speak with a lawyer.
Report the crash formally – File a UD-10 report if police don’t respond, especially for insurance documentation.

If you’re not sure whether you did everything correctly, or you’re dealing with pain or a denied claim, legal help is available.

How Michigan Law Protects Injured Cyclists

Even though bicycles aren’t motor vehicles, Michigan law offers important legal protections to injured cyclists, especially when they’re hit by a car. These protections can include coverage for medical bills, the ability to sue for pain and suffering, and access to no-fault insurance benefits if you or someone in your household has an auto policy.

Michigan also follows comparative fault rules, which means even if you were partially responsible for the crash (like riding outside a bike lane or not using a light at night), you can still recover damages—just reduced by your share of fault. For a more detailed overview of these laws and how they apply statewide, visit our Michigan bicycle accident lawyer page.

To better understand how these legal protections work, here’s a quick breakdown of your rights:

⚖️ Protection Type	🚴 Applies to Cyclists?	💬 Notes
No-Fault PIP Coverage	✅ Yes	Covers medical bills if you or a household member has auto insurance
Third-Party Negligence Claim	✅ Yes	You can sue the at-fault driver if injury threshold is met
Helmet Law (under 18)	✅ Yes	Riders under 18 must wear a helmet
Comparative Fault	✅ Yes	Damages reduced based on your % of fault
Wrongful Death Statute	✅ Yes	Family can sue if the cyclist was killed

How Fault Is Determined in Bicycle vs. Car Accidents

Determining who was at fault in a bicycle accident can be more complex than in a standard car crash. Cyclists are often blamed unfairly, especially when there’s no dashcam footage or eyewitness account. Insurance companies will examine everything from traffic laws to road positioning to try to shift liability and minimize their payout.

In Michigan, fault can be shared between the driver and the cyclist, but as long as you’re less than 50% at fault, you may still be entitled to compensation. Proving fault typically depends on physical evidence, police reports, and sometimes even expert testimony. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types of evidence used to prove fault in bicycle crash cases:

🧾 Evidence Type	✅ Helps Establish	⚖️ Legal Impact
Police report	Scene facts & citations	Often used by insurers to assign fault
Eyewitness statements	Traffic signals, actions	Adds credibility when drivers dispute facts
Dashcam or surveillance video	Exact moment of impact	Powerful evidence in disputed liability
Physical damage (bike & car)	Point of impact, force	Used in crash reconstruction analysis
Medical records	Type and timing of injuries	Helps connect crash to specific damages

Why Hire a Local Lansing Bicycle Accident Lawyer

When you’ve been injured in a bike crash, having a lawyer who knows Lansing isn’t just convenient, it can make a difference in your case. Local attorneys understand which intersections are dangerous, how adjusters treat bike claims, and how juries in Mid-Michigan tend to respond to cyclist injuries. They’re also familiar with the local police departments, courts, and doctors who may be involved in your case.

At The Clark Law Office, we’ve helped injured cyclists throughout Lansing and the surrounding areas recover full compensation after serious accidents. We don’t hand your case off to a paralegal or treat you like a number. You’ll work directly with an experienced trial attorney who lives and works in the same community as you. If your crash happened anywhere near downtown Lansing, the MSU campus, or along a local trail or road, we’re ready to help you pursue justice.

🔗 Learn more about how we help injured drivers and cyclists on our Lansing car accident lawyer page.

Speak With a Lansing Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today

A bicycle accident can leave you with serious injuries and even more serious questions. Who pays the medical bills? What if the driver lied? Can you still file a claim if you didn’t have auto insurance? At The Clark Law Office, we’ve handled complex cycling injury cases across Lansing and we know how to fight back when insurance companies try to deny fair compensation. You’ll work directly with a trusted attorney located in Lansing who understands Michigan law, Lansing roads, and what it takes to win. Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll answer your questions, evaluate your case, and help you move forward with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lansing Bicycle Accidents

Do cyclists have the same rights as drivers in Michigan?

Yes. Under Michigan law, bicycles are considered vehicles, and cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers. Motorists must yield, provide at least three feet of space when passing, and follow all traffic laws when sharing the road with cyclists.

Can I file a claim if I was hit by a car while biking in Lansing?

Absolutely. If a motorist caused your injuries, you may be eligible for both no-fault PIP benefits (if you or a household member has auto insurance) and a third-party claim for pain and suffering against the at-fault driver.

What if I wasn’t wearing a helmet during the crash?

If you're over 18, Michigan law doesn’t require helmet use. You can still file a claim, although the insurance company may try to argue that your injuries were worse because you weren’t wearing one. A lawyer can help counter that.

Who pays for my medical bills after a bicycle accident?

If you or someone in your household has auto insurance, your PIP benefits typically cover your medical bills—even if you weren’t driving. If not, you may still recover costs through the at-fault driver’s policy or the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan.

How long do I have to file a bicycle accident claim in Michigan?

You generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Michigan. However, you should act quickly—evidence disappears fast, and insurance deadlines may be shorter.

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