Motorcyclist, 20, killed in Waterford Township crash
A 20-year-old Commerce Township man died Friday after his motorcycle collided with a van in Waterford Township.
The Waterford Township Police Department responded around 8:40 a.m. Sept. 11 to Highland Road near Forest Avenue. A 41-year-old Ortonville man was pulling a Ford work van out of a private driveway when the collision occurred.
A bystander was performing CPR when officers and the Waterford Regional Fire Department arrived. Emergency crews continued lifesaving efforts before taking the motorcyclist to McLaren Oakland Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police said witnesses reported seeing the motorcycle heading east on M-59 through White Lake Township and into Waterford Township at an extremely high speed. The van driver showed no signs of impairment, according to police.
Highland Road near Forest Avenue was closed for several hours while investigators examined the scene. Waterford Citizens Emergency Response Team members helped direct traffic.
Michigan law on driveway crashes and shared fault
When exiting their driveway, drivers need to stop and yield before entering the actual road. under MCL 257.652. Drivers already on the road still need to obey speed limits and drive at a reasonable speed.
Responsibility for a collision can be shared between both, failing to yield and a motorcyclist’s speed can both matter, but neither establishes the other person’s share of fault by itself.
Michigan’s motor vehicle liability law reduces compensation for noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering, according to the injured person’s share of fault. Those damages are barred when that person was more than 50% at fault under MCL 500.3135.
Get help from Michigan Legal Center
Michigan Legal Center: the Law Offices of Christopher J. Trainor & Associates handles motorcycle accident, no-fault and wrongful death claims.
If you have questions after a fatal motorcycle crash, Contact Michigan Legal Center to ask whether Michigan Legal Center can help with the insurance or wrongful death issues.
There is no attorney fee unless money is recovered for you. Case costs and fee terms are governed by the written fee agreement.