Posted in Wisconsin Workers Compensation Related News
Personal Injury Lawyer
As a motorcyclist, you probably already recognize that there are many types of hazards that can put you at risk for an accident. A motorcycle accident lawyer is familiar with many instances of bikers suffering severe or fatal injuries because hazardous conditions caused them to lose control of their motorcycle. When this occurs, it may be possible to identify who should be held responsible for causing that hazard, or failing to maintain the safety of the road, depending on the circumstances of the accident.
Examples of Common Road Hazards That Bikers Face
Debris. Whether it’s trash that comes loose from a trucker’s unsecured load, or a broken auto part that drops onto the road, even a small object can be hazardous enough to cause a biker to lose control of their motorcycle. Though this can be attributed to a simple accident that is nobody’s fault, in many cases it is due to the negligence of an individual, company, or municipality that has not properly maintained the roadway.
Mismanaged construction zone. Motorcycles do not ride the same as vehicles with four tires. If a construction zone is not properly marked in terms of identifying detour lanes, or warning of uneven surfaces, gravel, or other issues, it can cause a biker to lose control. If only one tire on a motorcycle loses contact with the ground, even for a fraction of a second, it can be hazardous when the roadway is already compromised.
Rocks or gravel on roadway. As with bicycles, motorcycles are prone to sliding on surfaces that are littered with gravel or rocks because they do not have the advantage of riding on four wheels. Unpaved roads are often surfaced with gravel but if they are not marked as such, or if the sign is obstructed due to trees or objects, a motorcyclist may be taken unawares. The result can be catastrophic for the biker.
Uneven roadway. When a road surface is uneven because two sections of different heights meet in one place, this edge break can be abrupt, sudden, and unexpected. For a motorcyclist it can be enough to throw their balance off, especially when travelling at highway speeds. Another example of a potentially deadly uneven road surface are when two sections of the road are joined together using an expansion joint. These are common between roads and the travelling surface of a bridge. Sometimes a bridge joint is very wide and the empty space can cause control issues for motorcyclists when crossing over them.
Slick road surface. Even a light rain can cause a motorcyclist to hydroplane and go out of control. The same situation can occur when the road is icy, covered with snow or leaves. Oil residue can cause slippery conditions, particularly when rain mixes with the oil. This is why many motorcyclists do not travel directly down the middle of the road because this is where the majority of oil that leaks from vehicles is located.
