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Trial Date Set for Muskegon County Drain Commissioner

            Jeffrey Hepler, the Muskegon County Drain Commissioner, crashed his motorcycle on Whitehall Road in Dalton Township after leaving the bar in the early morning hours on August 13. Eight hours later, Hepler made a report that his motorcycle had been stolen. Falsely reporting a felony is punishable by up to four years in prison. Further, Hepler is also going to be tried on leaving the scene of an accident and driving while intoxicated, two misdemeanor charges. Under the law in Michigan, if an elected official is convicted of a felony, he may be removed from his office by the governor. Hepler’s six-day trial is scheduled to start on April 27 before Muskegon County 14^th Circuit Judge Timothy G. Hicks.

Motorcycle-Deer Collision leave Cass City Man Injured

            James A. Freiburger, 61, was riding his 2003 Honda Silver Wing motorcycle on M-142 when he struck a deer. The deer jumped in front of him, causing him to lose control of his motorcycle. He was ejected from the bike. Michigan State Troopers responded to the accident where Freiburger was severely injured. He was transported by Ambulance to Huron Medical Center and later transferred to St. Mary’s of Michigan in Saginaw. Freiburger was wearing his helmet and troopers have reported that alcohol was not a contributing factor in the accident.

Accident on M-30 Kills Gladwin Motorcyclist

            The Michigan State Police are investigating a motorcycle crash that occurred during the night of November 14. Joseph Andrews, 49, was riding his Harley-Davidson on M-30 that night. He went off the road and rolled several times before landing in a ditch. Andrews was pronounced dead at the West Branch Medical Center. While this accident is still being investigated, it is believed that speed and alcohol were contributing factors in the case.

Fund Raiser for Deputy Doug Alward

           On November 8th, the Green Door Blues Bar & Grill will be hosting a fund raiser for the family of a deceased motorcyclist. Doug Alward, the Clinton County sheriff's deputy was killed in a motorcycle accident on July 6th when his motorcycle struck a deer on U.S. 127. After the impact, he was knocked from this bike and then hit by a truck.

          Unfortunetly, the family may not be able to collect benefits becuase Alward was not on duty at the time of his death. For this reason, the benefit will be for his wife and two young children who are having financial trouble.

          The event will be from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m. at the Green Door Blues Bar & Grill located at 2005 E. Michigan Ave in Lansing. There is a $10 cover charge to get in, but it will be well worth it! There will be seven bands, a silent auction and 50/50 raffles.

Eaton Rapids Motorcycle Accident Fatal

            On Wednesday, October 8, 2009 19 year old Ethan Franks died after a motorcycle accident. His motorcycle collided with the rear tire of a semi truck. The accident happened in the morning at the intersection of Lansing Road and Millett Highway. Although Franks was wearing a helmet, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Sheriff’s Office reports that speed might have been a factor in this unfortunate accident.

Michigan Woman Dies in Highway Motorcycle Accident

            Jodi Lynn Fether, a 39-year-old woman, who was part of the Ghostriders Motorcycle Club, from Michigan died Friday, September 4, 2009 in a motorcycle accident that occurred on Interstate 69 in a construction zone near the 71-mile marker. The motorcyclist died from blunt force trauma at the scene of the accident. Fether was on her way to Missouri for an event with her boyfriend, Matthew Guilford, and a group of other motorcyclists.

            The bike veered into the shoulder when it was traveling in the passing lane. The pavement dropped down about an inch at the point. When Guilford maneuvered to get back onto the even pavement, he lost control of the bike. Fether was ejected from the bike, while Guilford stayed with the bike when it was laid down, slid, and hit a concrete wall. He suffered minor injuries related to the slide and was treated and released from the hospital.

54-Year-Old Man Injured in Blackman Township Motorcycle Accident

            At about 11:10 p.m., public safety officers responded to an accident at Parnall Road and Cooper Street in Blackman Township. Steven Strachn, the motorcyclist, was pinned between the curb and the undercarriage of a car. Public safety officers had to use air bags to lift the vehicle and remove Strachn from underneath the car.

            Strachn is in fair condition, as of September 8, after he was taken to Allegiance Health and then flown to Ann Arbor to receive treatment for his serious injuries at the University of Michigan Medical Center. The 16-year-old driver of the car was not hurt.

            This accident occurred after the Ford four-door car pulled in front of Strachn’s motorcycle, a 2005 Harley Davidson Road King, at Parnall Road and Cooper Street. The initial investigations led officers to believe that the young teen was driving west on Parnell Road and pulled in front of Strachn, cutting him off. This accident is still be investigated by an accident reconstructionist team.

Fatal Hit-and-Run Crash

            At Michigan Avenue and Telegraph Road, there was a fatal hit-and-run crash involving a black SUV or minivan and a 1993 Harley Davidson motorcycle. The SUV or minivan struck and killed 56-year-old Gerald Bojanowski of Dearborn Heights. The authorities are still searching for the vehicle that was involved in this fatal hit-and-run crash.

            Bojanowski was heading to the “Hog Heaven” fundraiser which is annually hosted by the American Legion Fort Dearborn Post. The accident occurred when Bojanowski was pulling into the driveway of the American Legion Fort Dearborn Post.

He sustained critical injuries when the motorist struck him from behind. He was pronounced dead at Oakwood Hospital.

Former Dearborn Police Chief Seriously Injured in Motorcycle Accident

            On Sunday, September 13, 2009, Timothy Strutz, former Dearborn Police Chief, was injured in a motorcycle accident when a van cut in front of his motorcycle on 1-75 causing him to crash. Strutz was heading north on 1-75 at the Mack exit. According to witnesses, a white van zoomed in front of Strutz on the Mack exit ramp. Strutz Was transported to Detroit Receiving Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition Sunday. Authorities are still investigating to determine if the van actually struck Strutz’s bike.

Paralyzed Motorcyclist Loses Insurance Claim

            William Lowell Elston, aged 29, was injured on July 19, 2008 in a motorcycle accident, when he crashed in a curve on North Maple Gove Avenue in Hudson. As a result of this accident, Elston was paralyzed. On Monday, September 14, 2009, Margaret M.S. Noe, a Lenawee County Circuit Judge, made a ruling that blocks the claim made by Elston. In Michigan, if you are involved in a motorcycle accident, another automobile must be involved to receive benefits.

            Matthew Rains, Elston’s attorney, points out that there were statements made by Elston and his two friends that a car forced Elston off the road. Affidavits were submitted by both of Elston’s friends. The attorney for Progressive, John Whitman of Ann Arbor, argued that there was no credible evidence to suggest that an automobile was involved in the accident. Whitman also contends that the woman who heard the accident from here house testified in her deposition that she only saw a single headlight in view.

Motorcycle Safety Tip for Riding Across Poor Road Surfaces

            Here are a few simple rules from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation you should follow when you anticipate coping with sand, mud, water or any loose surface or obstruction in the road:

ü      Downshift and slow before you reach the problem area.

ü      If there is traffic in the area, make sure that the drivers are aware you are slowing.

ü      Try to cross the bad surface in a straight line, or at least do not change direction or speed abruptly.

ü      Stay read to maintain the balance of the motorcycle.

ü      If you are moving along and have to go over an obstruction that is lying across the road, like a 2x4 piece of wood, rise upon the foot pegs and shift your weight toward the back of the saddle as your front wheel comes up to the obstacle. This will make it easier for the front wheel to bounce up and over. Then move your weight forward to help your rear wheel go over.

ü      Do not accelerate until you bike is completely over the obstacle.

            Michigan motorcyclists are protected under Michigan motorcycle law that makes negligent drivers responsible and liable to Michigan motorcyclists. A bike who is involved in a Michigan motorcycle accident may obtain compensation for his or her injuries that were caused by the other driver’s negligence. Damages may include payment for pain and suffering, scarring, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, economic loss, no fault benefits, and more.

            If you sustained an injury due to a Michigan motorcycle accident and you haven’t contacted a lawyer about your Michigan motorcycle accident, the best thing you can do for yourself is contact us NOW. We’ll listen to you and help you understand your options. If you have a case, we’ll help you find the best motorcycle accident injury attorney or law firm in your area. As an attorney who litigates these cases, I belong to many trial lawyer and motorcycle lawyer groups and have gone out of my way to find the best motorcycle attorneys in each state. Even the phone call is free, and there is no obligation. Don’t wait until it’s too late, make a simple call and talk to attorney Jason Waechter, The Motorcycle Lawyer.   1-877-Biker-Law (1-877-245-3752).