Can You Receive Compensation For A Motorcycle Accident Caused By A Poorly Maintained Road?

Posted on: 5 January 2022

Riding a motorcycle can be much more dangerous than riding other types of vehicles. You are not as well-protected and there are hazards on the road that are much more serious for a motorcyclist than they are for other individuals on the road. Besides other motorists, another hazard that might lead to you having an accident is a poorly maintained road.

Poorly Maintained Roads Can Be Highly Dangerous

Potholes, manhole covers, and road debris can all be a serious threat to a motorcyclist. You may hit one of these road hazards and fall off your motorcycle. Then, you may suffer a serious injury such as road rash. Or, you might swerve your motorcycle to avoid the debris and lose control and crash. The act of trying to avoid the road debris might also increase the risk that you will collide with another vehicle.

Types of Road Damage

Potholes are road hazard that arise from the road deteriorating. In bad weather, a pothole can be difficult to see. While a car can drive over a pothole easily in most cases, you might lose control on a motorcycle.

The road might have an uneven surface as a result of heaving. This is a condition caused by the freezing and thawing of the road. The road might also develop ruts as a result of studs in the tires of trucks.

Other hazards you might encounter include:

  • Edge breaks
  • Gravel patching
  • Spilled loads from commercial trucks

Regardless of the cause of your accident, you will need to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Then, you should speak immediately with a motorcycle accident lawyer in your area about the best next steps to take.

Liability for a Motorcycle Accident on a Poorly Maintained Road

Roads are maintained by government agencies. Your lawyer will identify the agency that is responsible for the condition of the road and will then help you begin the process of taking legal action against the government entity.

You are allowed to file a lawsuit against the United States government, but you must do so in a particular way, and you will have a shorter time frame in which to so. The government might approve your claim and compensate you for your injuries, may request more information, or may deny your claim. Then, you will have the option of filing a lawsuit against the government with the help of your lawyer.

Share