Motorcycles are especially susceptible to hazards which come in the form of changes in the surfaces of the roadways. Motorcycles which have thinner tires have an even greater risk as they are considered more unstable. Roadway hazards can bring down even the most experienced motorcyclist, causing them to lose control of their bike and veer off the road or even to slide into the path of an oncoming vehicle. Motorcyclists who have suffered injuries as a result of an accident caused by a road hazard will want to consult an experienced Atlanta auto accident attorney who can help prove responsibility for the hazard.
Rough Roads or Gravel on Pavement
Road disrepair can lead to rough, bumpy roads which can be very hazardous to motorcycle riders. Construction work and resurfacing efforts also lead to uneven and rough roads which cause a motorcycle to crash. Gravel can be potentially one of the trickiest road hazards for a motorcyclist to navigate, especially when the cycle rounds a corner. Excessive speed on a gravel road can also be responsible for a motorcycle accident, especially if the road is winding or steep. Edge breaks can occur during construction when the two traffic lanes are different heights—while this is barely noticeable in an automobile, an unsuspecting motorist can end up having a serious accident because of the edge break.
Potholes in the Roads
Temporary roadway repairs are often responsible for surface breaks in the pavement known as potholes. This occurs when the road construction is done in stages and the construction crews temporarily resurface a portion of a road with weak materials, intending to replace them later on. These temporary and inferior substances can crack soon after they are repaired, leaving broken or loose edges of road surface. Other causes of potholes are simple wear and tear of the roadways.
The problem with potholes is that while they present little concern to automobile drivers, they can be responsible for causing serious motorcycle accidents. The primary key to determining liability when a motorcyclist has had an accident with injuries resulting from a pothole is to determine how long the pothole existed. The length of time the problem has been in existence determines whether the failure to repair it has presented an unreasonable danger to motorcycle riders. Speak with a Georgia auto accident attorney about your case.
Slick Surfaces as a Cause of Motorcycle Accidents
Like most other road hazards, slippery surfaces are much more dangerous for motorcycles than for cars due to the relative instability of a motorcycle as well as the smaller, lighter size. Slick surfaces are even more dangerous when the biker is engaged in a turn, and any of the following debris or surface can cause the road to be slick: leaves, trolley tracks, certain painted surfaces, anti-freeze or oil, rain or even mud and oil. The first half of a rainstorm is also considered a very dangerous, very slick time for a motorcycle rider.
Hitting an Animal
While hitting a deer or elk can be a serious issue for an automobile driver, hitting even a small animal such as a rabbit can throw a motorcycle completely off balance. Swerving to miss a small animal—or a larger one—can also cause the cyclist to skid off the road, potentially hitting a car or a fixed object. Should the driver of a car hit a deer it will likely cause damage but probably not serious injuries, while a motorcycle rider hitting a deer stands a chance of incurring serious or fatal injuries. Speak with an Atlanta car accident attorney about your claim today.
When to Get Help
You may have a valid claim against the public agency responsible for maintaining the roadway if you suffered injuries resulting from an accident caused by a road hazard. Don’t try to go it alone, however—choose a highly experienced Georgia car accident attorney who has an extensive background in motorcycle accident recovery. You will likely need help with medical bills, lost wages and other issues related to your accident and it’s important that you have an advocate in your corner during the process.