Howard City man dies in Portland motorcycle charity ride crash
A 66-year-old Howard City man died Saturday in a multi-motorcycle crash during a charity ride on Divine Highway in Portland, police told WILX.
Another person was seriously injured. Divine Highway later reopened after the crash.
Portland police said their initial investigation indicated the man may have been having a medical emergency when the crash happened. Police had not released his name in the WILX report because family notification was still pending.
The public report did not identify the charity ride, exact crash time, second injured person, number of motorcycles, helmet use, citation status, crash-report number, or whether any car or truck was involved.
Legal Issues After a Fatal Multi-Motorcycle Crash
A reported medical emergency changes the legal questions, but it does not answer every insurance or wrongful-death issue by itself. The police report, witness accounts, road-closure and response records, and any video from the ride route could matter if the crash sequence later becomes disputed.
Michigan motorcycle insurance questions are different from a standard car crash. MCL 500.3101 treats motorcycles separately from "motor vehicles" in the No-Fault definitions, and MCL 500.3114 has motorcycle PIP priority rules when a motorcycle operator or passenger is injured in an accident that shows evidence of motor vehicle involvement. Because the current public reports describe multiple motorcycles but do not report a car or truck, coverage review would start with exactly what vehicles were involved and what policies were available.
If later facts show that a death was caused by another party's wrongful act, neglect, or fault, Michigan's wrongful death statute, MCL 600.2922, may control who brings the claim and how damages are handled. Families can read more about Michigan motorcycle accident claims and No-Fault benefits and Michigan wrongful death deadlines.
Get Help From Michigan Legal Center
Michigan Legal Center is the Law Offices of Christopher J. Trainor & Associates. Our attorneys help injured riders and families across Michigan with motorcycle crashes, insurance disputes, serious injury claims, and wrongful death review.
If you or a loved one was seriously injured or killed in a Michigan motorcycle crash, call Michigan Legal Center at (248) 886-8650 or contact us for a free consultation.
There is no attorney fee unless money is recovered for you. Case costs and fee terms are governed by the written fee agreement.