Why Choose Kajy Law Firm?

After an accident, you need a law firm that handles cases like yours every single day, not a general practitioner who dabbles in personal injury. Kajy Law Firm was built on a foundation of focused experience, clear communication, and a commitment to client care.

A Deliberate Focus on Motor Vehicle Accidents

Lawrence A. Kajy founded the firm immediately after law school with a clear and deliberate strategy. Instead of taking on cases from every area of the law, he chose to focus exclusively on motor vehicle accidents. He saw how other firms would sign a client and then ignore them for months, leaving them in the dark during a stressful time.

A Track Record of Success

Our results speak for themselves. We have the experience you need to take on insurance carriers and win.

• 98% Success Rate: We have successfully resolved the vast majority of cases across our firm’s portfolio.
• Proven Litigation Strength: We have a 90+% success rate specifically in cases where we file a lawsuit against an insurance carrier.
• Volume of Experience: With over 2,000 cases settled, we have encountered and overcome nearly every tactic insurance companies use to undervalue claims.

Results That Matter

Our experience translates into meaningful recoveries for our clients.

• John Schroder Motorcycle Case: We secured a settlement that covered all medical bills for a husband and wife team within just three months of their accident.
• $1.3 Million Recovery: After an initial offer of only $300,000, we took the case to court and ultimately settled for over $1 million more.
• $1.66 Million Detroit Truck Accident: We achieved a significant result for a client injured in a commercial truck rear-end collision in Detroit.

Your Hometown Advantage

Located at 18000 W 9 Mile Rd, Suite 1400, Southfield, MI 48075, our office is just a 15-20 minute drive north of downtown Detroit. This strategic location allows us to effectively serve clients throughout Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. We live and work here, giving us firsthand knowledge of the unique traffic patterns and hazards you face.

Our Guarantees to You

• No Win, No Fee: You will never pay us a penny unless we win your case.
• We Fund Your Fight: Lawrence Kajy personally guarantees that the firm will front all litigation costs upfront.
• Direct Communication: We have a strict policy of providing weekly updates in the early stages of your case, so you are never left wondering about the status of your claim.

Understanding Your Compensation Rights

The goal of a personal injury claim is to restore your financial life to the position you were in before the crash.

Economic Damages: The Tangible Costs

These are the straightforward, calculable losses you have incurred.

• Medical Bills: This includes everything from the initial ambulance ride and emergency room visit to future surgeries, physical therapy, and long-term rehabilitation.
• Lost Wages: Compensation for the paychecks you’ve missed while unable to work.
• Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or working at the same capacity, you could recover damages for this diminished future income.
• Replacement Services: This covers the cost of hiring help for household chores you are no longer able to perform, like lawn care or cleaning.

Non-Economic Damages: The Human Cost

These damages are harder to quantify but are just as real. They compensate for the physical and emotional toll of the accident.

• Pain and Suffering: Due to the lack of physical protection, these damages are typically high in motorcycle cases.
• Mental Anguish and PTSD: Many riders experience a reluctance to get back on a bike or suffer from anxiety in traffic.
• Loss of Consortium: This legal concept refers to the negative impact the injuries have had on your family relationships, particularly with your spouse.

Michigan’s Threshold for Pain and Suffering

To sue an at-fault driver for non-economic damages in Michigan, your injury must meet a specific legal standard. Under MCL 500.3135, the injury must result in death, permanent serious disfigurement, or a “serious impairment of body function.” Proving a serious impairment requires extensive medical documentation showing how the injury has fundamentally altered your ability to lead your normal life.

How Michigan’s Comparative Fault Rule Affects Your Claim

Michigan follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Simply put, if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

However, under MCL 600.2959, if you are found to be 51% or more at fault, you are barred from recovering any non-economic damages. This is why aggressively fighting biker bias is so important to preserving the full value of your settlement.

The Mechanics of Michigan Motorcycle Claims

The No-Fault Distinction

Under Michigan’s No-Fault Act, motorcycles are not considered motor vehicles. The definition in MCL 500.3101 specifies that a motor vehicle must have more than two wheels. This means that while motorcyclists are not required to purchase Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance for their bikes, they are still entitled to receive these benefits after a crash involving a car or truck.

The Priority of Payment for Medical Bills

Michigan law establishes a clear order of priority to determine which insurance company is responsible for paying your PIP benefits. This hierarchy, outlined in MCL 500.3114(5), is as follows:

1. The insurer of the owner of the motor vehicle involved in the crash.
2. The insurer of the operator (driver) of the motor vehicle.
3. The motor vehicle insurer of the operator of the motorcycle.
4. The motor vehicle insurer of the owner of the motorcycle.
5. The Michigan Assigned Claims Plan (a state-run plan that assigns an insurer as a last resort).

We will investigate the crash and identify the correct insurance company to ensure your claim is filed with the proper entity from the very beginning.

Common Detroit Accident Scenarios and Liability

• The Left-Turn Collision: This is the most frequent type of motorcycle crash. A driver, claiming they didn’t see the bike, turns left directly into the rider’s path. These almost always happen at busy intersections.
• Lane Changes and Blind Spots: A car or truck merges into a lane already occupied by a motorcycle, typically without signaling or checking their blind spot for a smaller vehicle.
• Dooring: Especially common on high-traffic streets with parallel parking like Woodward or Jefferson Avenue, a driver opens their car door into the path of an oncoming rider.

The Severe Injuries Riders Face

Without the protection of a steel frame, riders are exposed to direct and violent impacts. Common injuries we see include:

• Road Rash: More than a simple scrape, severe road rash can destroy multiple layers of skin, leading to infections and permanent scarring.
• Biker’s Arm: A term for severe nerve damage in the upper arm that may occur when a rider instinctively puts their arms out to break a fall.
• Lower Extremity Fractures: Leg, foot, and ankle injuries are incredibly common as they are frequently the first part of the body to make impact.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Even with a helmet, the force of an impact might cause a TBI, leading to long-term cognitive and physical disabilities.

Strict Deadlines You Cannot Miss

• The One-Year Rule: You must file a claim for No-Fault (PIP) benefits within one year of the accident. This is an absolute deadline under MCL 500.3145.
• The Three-Year Rule: You have three years from the date of the crash to file a third-party lawsuit against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering. This is governed by MCL 600.5805.

Where Motorcycle Accidents Happen in Detroit

High-Risk Corridors

• Interstates (I-75 and I-94): These highways are defined by high speeds, heavy commercial truck traffic, and drivers who merge without looking twice.
• The Lodge (M-10): This freeway is notorious for its curves and drivers who treat it like a racetrack.

Surface Streets (Gratiot and Woodward Avenue): High congestion, countless intersections, and frequent stops create a dangerous environment for riders who are more vulnerable to rear-end collisions and left-turn accidents.

Environmental Hazards Unique to Michigan

• Construction Season: Unmarked lane shifts, loose gravel, and uneven pavement are mere annoyances for a car, but they can be catastrophic for a motorcycle, causing a sudden loss of traction and control.
• Potholes: Detroit’s pothole problem is well-known. Hitting a deep pothole in a car might just be a jolt, but on a bike, it could easily throw a rider from their seat, leading to a serious single-vehicle accident.

Dealing with Insurance Companies

Shortly after the accident, you will likely get a call from an adjuster for the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Remember their role in this process.

The Inherent Conflict of Interest

Insurance companies are for-profit businesses which means they must balance paying fair claims with making a profit. Every dollar they do not pay you is a dollar that contributes to their financial success. The friendly adjuster on the phone is a trained negotiator whose job is to resolve your claim for the lowest possible amount.

Common Strategies to Be Aware Of

• The Recorded Statement: They will ask to record your conversation, hoping you’ll say something like “I’m okay” or “He came out of nowhere,” which they might later misinterpret to argue your injuries aren’t severe or you weren’t paying attention.
• The Swoop and Settle: The insurer may offer a quick, small check. This offer usually comes before the full extent of your injuries, such as a herniated disc that requires surgery, is known, and accepting it may prevent you from seeking further compensation.
• Medical Authorization Overreach: They will probably ask you to sign a broad medical release form. This gives them unrestricted access to your entire medical history, which they will search for any pre-existing conditions to blame for your pain.

What to Do After an Accident

Preserve the Evidence

• Do Not Repair Your Bike: The motorcycle is a piece of evidence. Its damage, such as dents, scrapes, and bent frame, tells the story of the impact. Do not get it repaired until your case is resolved.
• Keep Your Damaged Gear: The shredded jacket, scuffed boots, and cracked helmet are powerful visual evidence that demonstrates the violence of the crash.

Document Everything

• Start a Pain Journal: This is a simple but powerful tool for proving a serious impairment. Every day, write down your pain level, what activities you couldn’t do, and how the injury is affecting your life. (e.g., “Pain was an 8/10 today. Could not lift my grocery bags or play with my kids.”)
• Initiate a Social Media Blackout: Do not post photos of the accident or your recovery. An insurance company might take a simple thumbs up photo in your hospital bed and use it to argue that you aren’t truly suffering.

Follow Medical Advice Religiously

Gaps in your treatment record are red flags for an insurance company. If you miss doctor’s appointments or physical therapy sessions, they will argue that it’s because you feel fine and are no longer injured. Attend every single scheduled appointment.

FAQ: Detroit Motorcycle Accident Questions

What if I wasn’t wearing a helmet? Can I still sue?

Yes. While Michigan law allows riders 21 or older to ride without a helmet if they meet specific insurance requirements, the defense may try to argue your injuries are worse because of it. This falls under the comparative negligence rule. We have experience countering these arguments to protect your claim.

What if the driver who hit me fled the scene (Hit and Run)?

You may still be able to recover compensation. We would first investigate to see if the driver could be located. If not, we will review your own auto or motorcycle insurance policy to see if you have Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage, which is designed for this exact situation.

How do I pay my medical bills while the lawsuit is pending?

Your medical bills should be submitted through the No-Fault (PIP) claim that we establish. This coverage is the primary payer for your medical treatment related to the accident, regardless of who was at fault.

Does Kajy Law handle wrongful death motorcycle claims?

Yes. If you have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, we help the family pursue a wrongful death claim to recover compensation for funeral costs, the loss of financial support, and the loss of companionship and guidance.

Don’t Let Biker Bias Determine Your Future

The insurance company has a team of lawyers and adjusters working to protect its financial interests. You deserve to have a dedicated team protecting your future

Your job is to focus on healing, our job is to handle the legal fight. Deadlines are approaching and evidence may be lost with time, so don’t wait. Call Kajy Law Firm today at (248) 290-8549 for a free, no-obligation consultation about your case.