When a motorcycle collides with a commercial vehicle, the rider almost always suffers the worst of the impact. Whether it’s a semi-truck changing lanes without checking, a city bus running late and speeding through traffic, or a delivery vehicle making a wide turn into your path….these crashes are rarely minor.
The size, weight, and limited maneuverability of large vehicles make them especially dangerous in motorcycle accidents. And when it comes to liability, things get even more complicated. Commercial drivers may be employed by trucking companies, city agencies, or contractors each with their own insurance policies and legal teams ready to push back.
If you were injured in a crash involving a truck or bus while riding your motorcycle, this guide will help you understand the most common causes, the types of injuries involved, and how Michigan law approaches fault, claims, and compensation. We provide trusted legal support from The Clark Law Office to help injured riders get the justice they deserve.
Why Crashes with Trucks and Buses Are So Dangerous for Riders
There’s no such thing as a “minor” crash when a motorcycle is hit by a truck or bus. These vehicles can weigh 20 to 30 times more than a motorcycle, and even a low-speed impact can cause catastrophic injuries or death. Unlike cars, motorcycles offer no structural protection. There are no airbags, no crumple zones, and nowhere to absorb the impact except the rider’s body. The risks are even greater when:
Truck and bus drivers have limited visibility and often struggle to react quickly. Add in tight delivery schedules, fatigue, or unfamiliar routes and it’s easy to see why these collisions are so dangerous for motorcyclists. And while the injuries are often obvious, proving fault and recovering compensation is not. These cases often involve commercial insurance carriers, government-owned vehicles, or large corporate defendants who aren’t quick to admit blame.
How Motorcycle Crashes with Trucks or Buses Usually Happen
Crashes involving motorcycles and large vehicles don’t happen randomly, they follow dangerous patterns. Many of these accidents are caused by commercial drivers who aren’t trained to look out for smaller vehicles like motorcycles or who misjudge their distance and speed. These miscalculations can lead to frontal motorcycle crashes with devastating force, especially when the impact involves the front end of a truck or bus. Here are some of the most common scenarios we see:
These aren’t fender-benders. Riders are often thrown from their bikes, run over, or slammed into guardrails and other vehicles. The sheer size of a truck or bus means a single mistake can result in permanent injury or death.
Injuries Commonly Seen in Truck vs. Motorcycle Accidents
When a motorcycle collides with a truck or bus, the injuries are rarely minor. These are high-force, high-mass collisions and riders take the brunt of the damage. Even with protective gear, the human body simply can’t withstand the impact of multiple tons of steel traveling at highway speeds. Here are the types of injuries we see most often after crashes involving large commercial vehicles:
Injuries like these often require multiple surgeries, physical therapy, and long-term care. For many riders, the road to recovery is measured in years, not weeks.
Who’s at Fault in a Truck or Bus vs. Motorcycle Crash?
In most motorcycle crashes involving large vehicles, the driver of the truck or bus is at fault, but not always. These cases often involve commercial employers, public transportation authorities, and even multiple drivers who share blame. In some situations, a mechanical defect on the motorcycle can contribute to the crash or make it worse, which opens the door for a potential product liability claim. Here are the most common ways these crashes happen due to someone else’s negligence:
Even if fault seems obvious, proving it may still require an investigation especially when dealing with a government vehicle or a corporate-owned truck.
Filing a Claim After a Crash with a Commercial Vehicle
If you were injured in a motorcycle crash involving a truck or bus, you may be entitled to compensation but these cases often involve extra legal steps. Commercial vehicles are usually covered by high-limit insurance policies, and the companies behind them are quick to push back. To succeed in your claim, it’s important to understand what affects how much your case is worth and how hard the other side will fight it.
These claims can involve multiple insurance companies, government procedures, and extensive documentation. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can help you navigate the process and protect your right to full compensation.
Talk to a Michigan Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Who Understands Truck and Bus Crashes
Motorcycle crashes involving commercial trucks or buses are nothing like typical two-vehicle accidents. The injuries are more severe. The insurance policies are more complex. And the companies behind them are ready to fight. If you don’t act fast and smart, you could lose the compensation you’re legally owed.
At The Clark Law Office, we know how to investigate these high-stakes cases. We work with crash experts, subpoena driver logs and maintenance records, and build strong legal arguments that hold negligent drivers and their employers accountable.
We don’t hand cases off to associates or treat you like a number. You’ll work directly with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney who knows Michigan law, the local courts, and how to deal with powerful trucking companies and public entities.
đź”— Explore more crash causes in the Motorcycle Accident Types section.
Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Crashes with Trucks or Buses
