Motorcycle Accidents and Gravel Roads
Motorcycle accidents aren’t more common than automobile accidents, but it can seem that way because they are so damaging. Motorcycle accidents frequently result in catastrophic injuries, or in extreme cases, death. It is important for motorcyclists to be aware of factors that increase the risk of an accident, so they can take necessary safety precautions.
Gravel roads can be particularly hazardous for motorcyclists. Motorcycle accidents on gravel roads are common because the uneven road surface can throw a motorcycle off balance. Motorcycle accident lawyers at Chanfrau & Chanfrau in Daytona Beach, FL, and Palm Coast, FL, discuss some of the risks of gravel roads, and offer our clients important motorcycle safety tips.
Gravel Road Hazards
Gravel roads have a rougher and much more uneven surface than paved roads, highways, and intersections. While the average passenger vehicle can travel down a gravel road without noticing any significant difference, there are several aspects of gravel roads that can be hazardous for motorcycles.
- The rough texture – Smooth, even surfaces are the safest for motorcycles to ride on. Rough patches and bumps can throw a bike off balance and easily lead to an accident.
- Loose gravel – Loose gravel is one of the biggest threats for motorcyclists. Loose rocks and debris can cause a motorcycle to tip, slide, or otherwise lose control.
- Edge breaks – Edge breaks are divisions in the road created by two lanes of traffic being at different heights. This type of hazard is very common on gravel roads.
- Sharp turns – Any road can have sharp turns, but many winding roads that seem to be so favored by motorcyclists have a gravel surface. Rough textures, bumps, and loose rocks are especially dangerous when traveling around a turn, so motorcyclists need to be aware of this risk.
Motorcycle Safety Tips
Although gravel roads can be dangerous, there are safety precautions that our clients can take to minimize the risk of an accident and reduce damages in accidents that do occur:
- Follow posted speed limits
- Slow down when taking a turn
- Be aware of uneven road surfaces or edge breaks
- Try to avoid debris in the road
- Take a motorcycle safety course to learn advanced riding techniques
- Always wear a helmet and appropriate safety gear
Liability for Gravel Road Motorcycle Accidents
Most of the motorcycle accidents that occur on gravel roads are single vehicle accidents, meaning that no other cars or drivers are involved. In a single vehicle accident, there is no other driver that can be held liable for accident damages. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the motorcyclist has to accept liability themselves.
Even if a road is gravel, it may be maintained by state, city, or county officials. If poor road maintenance, a lack of proper road signs, or insufficient safety protocols (such as guardrails) contributed to an accident or exacerbated its damages, accident victims may be due compensation for their losses. Our motorcycle accident attorneys can perform a thorough investigation to determine liability so that our clients can seek compensation from responsible parties.
Begin the Road to Recovery
The motorcycle accident attorneys at Chanfrau & Chanfrau, serving Daytona Beach and nearby areas, can prove invaluable when it comes to getting just compensation for accident damages. To find out how our legal team can assist you in your pursuit for financial compensation, contact us online anytime or call (386) 258-7313 to schedule a case review.