Losing a loved one in a motorcycle crash is something you may never recover from. Wrongful death claims arising from fatal motorcycle accidents in Michigan are subject to strict legal rules. At Thurswell Law, our compassionate attorneys understand the emotional and legal challenges your family faces after your loved one’s death. We have had considerable experience with this type of case and could deal effectively with the insurance companies on your behalf.
Michigan law specifies which of the decedent’s family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit and limits the amount of time they have to do so. It is important to act quickly and work with skilled lawyers who know how to fight the insurance companies. Our motorcycle crash attorneys at Thurswell Law could help you understand your rights and determine whether you have a case.
Which Family Members Can Bring a Wrongful Death Claim?
Under Michigan Compiled Laws § 600.2922, specific members of a deceased person’s family can file a wrongful death claim. These include:
- The decedent’s surviving spouse
- If there is no surviving spouse, the decedent’s children
- If there is no surviving spouse or surviving children, the decedent’s parents
- If none of those relatives is alive, the estate-appointed personal representatives
Those specific parties can pursue compensation for funeral and burial expenses, lost financial support and services the decedent provided, and the decedent’s pain and suffering before death.
Under Michigan Compiled Laws § 600.5805, the claim must be filed within three years of the crash or six months after the appointment of an estate representative, whichever comes later. Missing this deadline usually means losing the right to seek compensation in Michigan courts for a loved one’s motorcycle fatality.
How To Prove Liability in Fatal Motorcycle Cases
In Michigan, liability for a deadly motorcycle collision often involves another motorist’s negligence. This can include violations such as failing to yield, speeding, running red lights, or driving while distracted.
Even if fault seems obvious, the defense may challenge whether the decedent made safe choices, such as wearing a helmet under Michigan Compiled Laws § 257.658 or obeying traffic laws. If you hire our attorneys at Thurswell Law, we could work with accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, and investigators to gather evidence that shows who was at fault for your loved one’s death.
Different Types of Compensation
A Michigan family pursuing a wrongful death claim after a deadly motorcycle crash may be entitled to economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover tangible financial losses. These losses can place a burden on the grieving survivors, especially if the decedent was a primary source of the family’s income.
Non-economic damages focus on the personal impact of the loss. This may include compensation for the family’s loss of companionship, guidance, and emotional support. These intangible harms can be as distressing as the financial ones.
It is important to note that Michigan law does not allow exemplary (punitive) damages in wrongful death cases. At Thurswell Law, we understand how difficult it is to assign a monetary value to a human being’s life. We are committed to helping families recover compensation for their losses while honoring their loved one’s memory.
Call Our Michigan Attorneys Today After a Deadly Motorcycle Wreck
Fatal motorcycle accidents in Michigan cause terrible grief. Dealing with the legal process after your loved one’s death in this type of crash can be unbearably painful. If you are in this situation, our attorneys at Thurswell Law could answer your questions and strive to obtain the compensation you deserve for all that you have lost.
We have been representing bereaved families since 1968. We handle wrongful death claims on a contingency basis. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.
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