Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Offers Tips on Avoiding Injury from Road Hazards

In addition to coping with traffic, motorcyclists must pay close attention to the road surface conditions. Things that barely register to car drivers such as gravel or potholes, can cause a motorcycle fall explains a NY motorcycle accident lawyer at the F&A injury law firm. Riding safely requires that you quickly recognize common road hazards and adopt specific riding strategies. Here are three suggestions:

Recognize Road Hazards

Take evasive action or slow down when you see these common road dangers:

• Leaves. Leaves reduce your traction when dry and are slippery as grease when wet. Watch for them while cornering.
• Puddles. Puddles can hide potholes and other road defects.
• Black ice. This is a danger in the fall when overnight temperatures drop below freezing. The ice in shaded areas will persist well into the morning hours on the following day. Beware of bridges.
• Gravel. Gravel on pavement is especially dangerous when cornering. Reduce your speed on winding roads. You should never go into a turn at a speed that demands the entire lane to get through the turn. Give yourself a safety buffer so that you can evade any gravel patches you encounter. On straight gravel patches, ride straight and minimize traction demands.
• Oil and grease. Oil and grease are plainly slippery. However, dried oil and grease can build up on the pavement during dry weather and will become instantly slippery during the first half hour of rain. Allow enough time for it to wash away before riding.
• Railroad crossings. Railroad tracks that cross the road at slanted angles can catch your front wheel and cause a fall. Use your lane to turn into the tracks so that your wheels cross at a more favorable angle. Note that some railroad crossings have metal or wood between the tracks, which becomes slippery when wet.
• Colored surfaces. Crosswalks and other road sections with colored markings use paint or colored tape. These become slippery when wet.

Allow Plenty of Following Distance

Tailgating a larger vehicle not only invites a collision should it suddenly brake, but blocks your view of the road surface ahead. By the time you see a pothole for example, you will have ridden over it before you can react. Allow plenty of time for evasive maneuvers by following traffic from a safe distance.

Plan and Revise Your Routes

Some routes are riskier than others. When you encounter dangerous road conditions, modify your route. The more you expose yourself to a risk, the greater the probability that it will cause an accident someday. Don’t accept a dangerous commute route. Explore alternatives. Use a map to anticipate road hazards such as bad railroad crossings and excessive left turns at intersections. Use websites that warn of road construction to avoid these areas. Be flexible and allow plenty of time to get to your destination.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, seek the legal assistance of an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer who knows how to handle insurance companies and can get you the compensation you need for a complete recovery. Contact us at Frekhtman & Associates for a free consultation.