Road hazards that normally do not affect a car, can potentially make a motorcycle crash. Road hazards such as oil spills, potholes, tree branches, and other hazards can potentially be the factor that kills a motorcyclist. Motorcyclists need to be educated on what hazards are, and what it could do to them while riding a motorcycle. Negligence law is what comes to play when a motorcyclist suffers injuries because of hazardous objects on the road.
Everyday Road Hazards
A motorcyclist may believe they are safe because they may have many years of experience riding a bike, or have mastered driving a car, but hazards for cars and for motorcycles are at both ends of the extremity. Motorcyclists must apply certain safety measures and knowledge about hazards when riding. These are some hazards that could be the reason for a motorcycle to crash:
Creatures: Many animals run into the road and it oftentimes cannot be anticipated by the rider. A motorcyclist can lose their balance, and even die from hitting either a small or large animal on the road. Large animals such as a deer are more of a threat to a motorcyclist.
Slippery surfaces: There’s a long list of slippery objects that can be present on a road, or become one. Cars hardly have to worry about slippery surfaces, but for motorcyclists, it could be something that distinguishes them from living or dying. Motorcycles tend to slide more than a car, especially when a turn is being made. These objects when wet, become extremely slippery:
- Tracks of a trolley
- Lines on the crosswalks
- Surfaces that have been painted
Also, riding the first 30 minutes once a rain shower has started, is the worst time for a motorcyclist to hit the road. During this time, the oil and mud combine together with the water on the road.
Rough/Bumpy Roads: Any construction work, lack of repairs, and efforts to resurface can cause a motorcyclist to crash.
Water: Driving through rain or on standing water can make the tires of a motorcycle hydroplane.
Crossings/tracks: Tracks can cause tires to become stuck, as well as crossings becoming very slippery because they are wood or metal compositions.
Taking Preventative Measures
The best way to try and avoid any crash as a motorcyclist is to get educated, get trained, and be cautious. These practices can be what saves a motorcyclist’s life. Below are some ways to prevent crashes:
Slowing down: A motorcyclist lacks protection. Going too fast to the point of not being able to match their sight distance can cause the motorcyclist to not be able to see any hazards up ahead.
Waiting out poor weather conditions: Some people must drive in the rain because they have no other option, but if the rider has an option, it is best to just wait until the rain stops. If the motorcyclist must absolutely go out during a rain shower, then it is recommended that they wait more than 30 minutes before hitting the road.
Be aware of surroundings: A motorcyclist should always be vigilant of their surroundings so that they have enough time to react. They should be looking at everything that could be a potential hazard.
Light traffic: Riding during light traffic allows the rider room to move if any hazard was to come their way.
Safe distance: Driving laws require any motorist to be at least two seconds of distance between themselves and the driver upfront. Just calculate the length of two cars.
Who’s at Fault for a Road Hazard Motorcycle Accident?
Determining who is at fault and recovering damages depends on what hazard was on the road, could the hazard have been eliminated by someone, why was the hazard there, how was the other driver’s behavior, how was the motorcyclist’s behavior, and other factors. Some persons or places could have acted negligently or carelessly and caused the motorcyclist’s accident. Those who were negligent can be:
Entity that was public: Those in charge of maintaining the road, either the county, state, or city, were responsible to know and assess the hazardous object being there. A warning sign could have simply been placed, and fixing the issue should be the first thing on their list.
Businesses or individuals that are private: When objects fall from trucks or vehicles, and the motorcyclist gets in an accident due to those objects, then the person who had the object fall out of their vehicle was negligent in not securely tying the object. This could make the person liable for the accident.
Any unlawful action by a motorcyclist such as, texting, speeding, and others, can be factors for the motorcyclist not to be able to recover money in that case.
Road Hazard Help
These claims can be complex because it can require some time to figure out who was at-fault for the accident. It is advocated to seek expert help under these circumstances.
About the author: Percy Martinez is a personal injury lawyer with over 20 years’ experience practicing in the state of Florida. For more information about personal injury visit his personal injury blog.