Motorcycle Road Hazards and the Serious Injury Risk

Motorcyclists are exposed. Although poor road conditions can be dangerous for any person, they can be especially hazardous for motorcycle riders. You may be wondering: What role do road conditions play in motorcycle accidents? The short answer is that these motorcycle road hazards contribute to a significant number of serious crashes and the presence of a road hazard could have an impact on your legal claim. Here, our Riverside motorcycle accident lawyer discusses the role of road conditions in motorcycle crashes and motorcycle injury claims in California.

Know the Risk: Motorcyclists Face Serious Injury Risk When a Crash Happens

Motorcyclists are vulnerable. They face a higher safety risk than the occupants of full-size passenger cars. Whereas only around 25 percent of motor vehicle collisions result in reported injuries, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 80 percent of motorcycle crashes result in injuries to the rider. Motorcyclists are nearly 25 times more likely to be severely injured or killed in a crash than drivers/passengers.

Motorcycle Road Hazards Can Contribute to Serious Accidents

Road hazards are especially dangerous for motorcyclists. Not only are they more likely to be affected by an issue with the road, they are far more vulnerable to injury when a crash happens. Broadly defined, a road hazard is any condition on a roadway that can pose a danger to drivers and other road users. Government entities and highway maintenance crews have a general duty to identify, assess, and address unreasonably dangerous roadway hazards.

An Overview of the Common Hazards a Motorcyclist Might Encounter

Roadway hazards can come in a wide range of different forms. Some of the most common road hazards that can cause motorcycle accidents include:

• Potholes: Unrepaired and unmarked potholes are one of the most common road defects. They can be extremely hazardous for motorcycles. When a motorcycle hits a pothole, the sudden jolt can lead to a loss of control—especially at higher speeds. Motorcyclists have less stability than cars and they are more susceptible to accidents from potholes. Further, motorcyclists who attempt to swerve to avoid a pothole may end up in a collision.
• Loose Gravel on Pavement: Loose gravel on pavement poses a serious safety risk to motorcyclists, especially around sharp corners. It can cause the tires of a motorcycle to lose grip, leading to a slide-out. Alarmingly, gravel is not always visible until it is too late.
• Debris and Obstacles: Road debris such as branches, rocks, or items fallen from vehicles can create unavoidable hazards for motorcyclists. Hitting these objects can cause immediate tire damage or cause the rider to eject from the bike. Since motorcycles have less protection than cars, debris impacts can be particularly dangerous.
• Poor Signs: A well-marked road helps to keep traffic flowing safely. Inadequate signs are a big problem. It can adversely impact motorcyclists who rely on clear warnings to prepare for road changes or hazards. Indeed, poorly marked roads may lack indications for sharp turns, merges, or changes in road conditions. Without proper signs, motorcyclists may not have sufficient time to adjust their speed or positioning.
• Railroad Crossings: Railroad tracks can sometimes be a bit tricky for motorcyclists. Tracks that cross roadways are often raised, even slippery surfaces. Beyond that, the lack of proper warning signals or barriers at some railroad crossings increases the risk for motorcyclists.

What to Know About Liability for an Accident Caused By Hazardous Road Conditions

California is a fault-based motorcycle accident state. The party whose negligence—failure to take due care—caused a motorcycle crash can be held liable for the resulting damages. Most motorcycle accident injury claims are brought against negligence drivers (and their insurance companies).

With that being said, liability for accidents caused by hazardous road conditions can involve multiple other parties, including government entities responsible for road safety and the private companies that they contract with for maintenance services.

These are exceptionally complex claims. Establishing liability for this type of motorcycle accident generally requires proving that the defendant (government agency or private company) knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to correct it in a reasonable amount of time.

Recovering Financial Compensation for a Motorcycle Wreck in California

Hurt in a motorcycle accident? You have the right to seek compensation for your damages, including both economic and non-economic. Unfortunately, insurance companies can make the claims process very difficult for injured riders. They want to limit their liability—and that means settling personal injury cases for as little as possible. Following a motorcycle crash in Southern California, you may be entitled to recover monetary damages for:

• Motorcycle repairs;
• Ambulance costs and emergency care;
• Hospital bills and other health expenses;
• Post-accident physical rehabilitation;
• Loss of wages and loss of earning ability;
• Pain and suffering & mental distress;
• Disability or physical scarring; and
• Wrongful death of a close family member.

Why Injured Motorcyclists in Southern California Count On The JLF Firm

Motorcycle accident claims are complicated—especially so in situations in which poor road conditions were a factor in causing the accident. At The JLF Firm, we are award-winning advocates for injured riders. Our firm is proactive and results-focused. When you contact our Riverside office, you will have a chance to speak to a California motorcycle accident lawyer who can:

• Hear your story and answer questions about your motorcycle injury claim;
• Investigate your motorcycle crash, gathering evidence to prove causation;
• Take care of the legal paperwork and represent you in settlement discussions; and
• Develop a personalized strategy to get you justice and the maximum injury compensation.

Contact Our Riverside, CA Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today

At The JLF Firm, our Riverside motorcycle accident lawyers are skilled, experienced, and compassionate advocates for injured victims. Were you involved in a motorcycle crash caused by poor road conditions? We are here to protect your rights. Call us now or contact us online for a free, fully confidential consultation. With a law office in Riverside, we represent motorcycle accident victims in Riverside County and throughout Southern California.