3 Road Dangers for Motorcyclists

If you are a novice motorcyclist, or if you have just moved to a new area, there may be some serious dangers on the roads that would barely give you pause if you were driving a car. Even if you have been riding a long time, it is good to review some of the basics, since each of these has caused trouble for veteran bikers at times. As a motorcycle operator, you have a lot more to think about than the average car or truck driver. Consider the following dangers:

• Potholes: When driving a car, a pothole is usually an annoyance and nothing more. Occasionally they cause accidents that lead to injuries, but usually they require a driver to slow down and nothing more. However, in the case of motorcyclists, potholes pose a much more serious risk. Even at a slow speed, you can be thrown from your bike if you happen to hit a pothole. They can be tough to see at night or in bad weather.
• Wheel ruts: These are areas where the road is worn down a few inches where cars' tires continually pass over. This does not occur with properly maintained roads, and can cause similar risks to motorcyclists as potholes.
• Road debris: This could be gravel, construction zone materials, or anything that has fallen from a moving vehicle. If the municipal or state agency in charge of maintaining that particular road does not react in a timely manner to debris on the road, they may be found to be liable for any injuries resulting from crashes caused by the debris.

Contact Us

Watch out for these and all other road hazards, but note that you if you are injured in a crash caused by any of them, you may be able to pursue financial compensation through a civil lawsuit. Contact the Chicago injury attorneys of Friedman & Bonebrake, P.C., at 312-466-8200 for a free consultation.