Other drivers are just one of the most common road hazards that cause motorcycle accidents.
As a biker, it takes guts to straddle 100 horsepower and head out on a highway full of motorists who might miss your lane change because they’re fiddling with their phones.
Freedom and a little danger are part of what makes riding a motorcycle fun, but you don’t ride for long if you ignore safety. When there’s nothing between you and the pavement but denim and leather, it is smart to keep an eye out for trouble.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle crash, a Davie motorcycle accident lawyer can help you understand your options and get the compensation you need. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation.
1. Potholes
Potholes can form in roadways due to heavy traffic, lack of maintenance, and weather conditions that can cause the pavement to expand and contract. When bikes hit potholes at regular highway speeds or swerve to miss them, accidents can happen.
If you absolutely can’t avoid a pothole, take a straight line, stay loose, and let your bike’s suspension handle the brunt of the impact.
2. Loose Gravel
Gravel, sand, and dirt can wash onto roadways after heavy storms. These hazards cause motorcyclists to slide or lose control of the front end of their bikes, leading to an accident. This is a particular concern when taking curves at high speeds.
If you spot an area of loose gravel, it’s a good idea to slow down and avoid sudden turns.
3. Puddles
Slick roads after a rain storm are always a reason for caution, but standing water is even more dangerous. When bikers hit puddles at regular roadway speeds, it can cause a hydroplane effect, severely reducing control and potentially causing an accident.
If you find yourself caught in a hydroplane, stay cool, back off the throttle, and avoid turning until you regain traction.
4. Oil Spills
Everyone knows oil is slippery, and most motorcyclists are smart enough to slow down or avoid oil or fuel spills on the road. However, oil spills can be tough to spot, especially at night, leading to crashes.
There is not much you can do about an oil spill you don’t see. If you do manage to spot one and cannot avoid it, back off your throttle and keep your bike straight and upright until you navigate across it.
5. Rocks
In some locations, rocks and boulders can come loose from a roadside bank and roll onto the roadway. This often happens during a storm, when the dirt holding the rock in place is washed away. Hitting a large rock or boulder can cause a serious motorcycle accident.
Be alert for rocks in the road after rainstorms, especially in areas designated with Falling Rocks warning signs.
6. Wildlife
Due to their unpredictable nature, animals are among the most common hazards that cause motorcycle accidents and the most dangerous. Hitting a deer with your car probably means an insurance claim and repairs, but hitting one on your motorcycle can be deadly.
Stay alert for animals on the road, and slow down immediately. Remember that if you spot one deer, there are usually more.
7. Leaves
In many parts of the country, fall means leaves littering the roadways. Even in Florida, some trees lose their leaves at different times of the year. A road covered in leaves presents a hazard for bikers, especially on curves and turns.
You can often power through loose leaves, but be careful when turning, as they cause your wheels to lose traction.
8. Railroad Crossings
Legally, vehicles are only allowed to cross railroad tracks in designated areas. Unfortunately, even those areas are often difficult for motorcycles to navigate. The front wheels can become lodged in the tracks, causing an accident.
If you don’t feel comfortable or safe at specific railroad crossings, it may be worth finding another route.
9. Tree Limbs
Fallen limbs blocking roadways are a danger for all motorists but are of particular concern for bikers. If they collide with a large, fallen limb, bikers can experience catastrophic crashes. Even small limbs can cause a bike to lose traction or crash when the rider attempts to avoid them.
Be alert for fallen limbs after a storm or when it is especially windy. Spotting obstacles early gives you the best chance to avoid them.
10. Pedestrians
Just because they aren’t in cars doesn’t mean other people can’t ruin your day. Like wildlife, pedestrians can be unpredictable, and you don’t want to hit one. People may not pay attention to traffic or might jaywalk.
Be aware of your surroundings, especially on crowded city streets. If you are smart, even if a pedestrian isn’t, you can save both of you a lot of trouble.
Anything Can Be a Road Hazard
These are only some of the most common road hazards that cause motorcycle accidents. Anything on the road can pose a danger when you are on a motorcycle, and even experienced bikers have been in accidents when they were surprised by an obstacle in the roadway.
If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, you may be able to get compensation for your injuries and bike damage. A skilled lawyer can review your case, determine who is liable, and assess what damages you are entitled to.
At Winston Law Firm, attorney Bradley Winston is a founding member of the American Council of Motorcycle Attorneys. Contact us today. Or, check out his free ebooks, the Florida Motorcycle Accident Bible and Five Deadly Sins that Can Wreck Your Injury Claim.
