Pedestrians and bicyclists have no protection in a crash — no steel frame, no airbag, no seat belt. Even a low-speed collision can cause fractures, head injuries and life-changing harm. Michigan law offers important protections, including no-fault benefits even if you don’t own a car.
No-fault benefits for pedestrians and cyclists
If you’re hit by a motor vehicle while walking or riding a bicycle, you’re generally entitled to Michigan no-fault PIP benefits for medical bills and wage loss. The insurer that pays is usually:
- Your own auto insurer, or that of a spouse or relative you live with;
- If none, the insurer of the vehicle’s owner or driver;
- If none, the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan.
Learn what PIP benefits cover.
Claims against the driver
If your injuries meet Michigan’s threshold, you can also seek compensation for pain and suffering from the driver who hit you, along with economic losses no-fault doesn’t cover. Learn about the threshold.
Laws that protect cyclists and pedestrians
- Michigan requires drivers to give bicyclists at least three feet of space when passing, or a safe distance if three feet isn’t possible.
- Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks as required by state law and local ordinances.
- Drivers must use reasonable care to watch for people walking and biking — including when turning, backing up, and pulling out of driveways and parking lots.
Common causes
Distracted drivers, failure to yield at crosswalks and intersections, right and left turns into cyclists, drivers opening doors into bike lanes, speeding in neighborhoods, and poor visibility at night.
Frequently asked questions
I was hit while walking and I don’t own a car. Who pays my medical bills?
If a relative you live with has auto insurance, their policy usually pays your no-fault benefits. If not, the insurer of a vehicle involved in the crash usually pays. As a last resort, you can apply through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan.
The driver says I wasn’t in a crosswalk. Can I still recover?
Possibly. Your no-fault PIP benefits don’t depend on fault. For a claim against the driver, your share of fault is weighed; your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, and you can recover pain and suffering as long as you were not more than 50% at fault. Drivers still have a duty to watch for pedestrians.