Leaves, Rain and Roads: Avoiding Autumn Car Accidents
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Autumn is a wonderful time of year for Michiganders, with fall color, cool evenings and cider-mill weekends. Seasonal hazards still make the roads harder for drivers, motorcyclists and bicyclists.
Here is what raises crash risk in the months before winter, and how a Michigan car accident lawyer can help if you are hurt.
Do You Have a Case?WHAT MAKES AUTUMN A DANGEROUS SEASON FOR DRIVERS?
Falling leaves
Piles of leaves hide lane lines and bike lanes. They also clog drains, so rain sits on the pavement.
Rain
Fall rain plus wet leaves can make asphalt as slick as a light freeze.
High winds
Wind drops branches and debris into travel lanes.
Fewer daylight hours
Earlier sunsets mean more driving in the dark, when pedestrians and signs are harder to see.
Sun glare
A lower sun can blind drivers at commute hours.
Time change
The fall time change can leave people groggy. Give yourself extra following distance that week.
Morning fog
Cool, wet mornings cut visibility.
Frost and ice on bridges
When overnight temperatures drop below freezing, bridges and overpasses ice first.
Reduced tire pressure
Cold air lowers tire pressure and can hurt handling. Check PSI as the season turns.
School is back
Watch school zones, buses and neighborhoods where children walk.
Deer
Rut season puts more deer on roads at dusk and dawn. Michigan Traffic Crash Facts counted 58,324 deer-involved crashes and 14 deaths in 2024.
DOES MICHIGAN NO-FAULT INSURANCE COVER CAR ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY SLIPPERY ROADS?
Michigan No-Fault still pays allowed PIP benefits after most auto accidents, including weather-related crashes, without proving who was at fault. Medical reimbursement follows the PIP medical level on the policy that covers the injured occupant. Unlimited PIP can include reasonable care, rehab, medication, attendant care and medical transportation.
Work-loss and replacement-services benefits are separate from the medical cap and generally last up to three years, subject to the statute.
Occupants of an insured vehicle usually claim PIP through that vehicle’s policy first. People with no applicable auto coverage may look to the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan (MACP).
If you are less than 50% at fault and meet the serious-impairment threshold, you may also sue for noneconomic damages and economic losses above PIP.
ARE MOTORCYCLISTS ELIGIBLE FOR NO-FAULT BENEFITS WHEN A CRASH IS CAUSED BY WET LEAVES OR OTHER ROAD HAZARDS?
Motorcycles are not “motor vehicles” for many No-Fault purposes (MCL 257.33 / related definitions). A standard motorcycle policy often has no PIP. Many riders buy optional PIP or rely on a household auto policy.
Motorcycle-only crashes (for example, a solo slide on wet leaves) generally do not trigger another driver’s PIP. Medical bills then go to health insurance or optional motorcycle PIP.
Crashes involving a car or truck: A motorcyclist may claim PIP from an involved motor vehicle under the priority rules in MCL 500.3114, not automatically from the “at-fault” policy. You may still have a third-party claim for threshold injuries and excess economic loss.
Talk to a car accident lawyer before you give a recorded statement or sign forms.
CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED MICHIGAN CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS TODAY
If you or a loved one is injured in a Michigan car accident, we can help. Our lawyers have the skills and resources to pursue the compensation you deserve.
Michigan car accident law is complicated, but finding the right car accident lawyer is simple.
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