California Motorcycle Lawyers; Poor road conditions
Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys, Los Angeles, CA: According to a nationwide insurance survey recently reported by the Mercury News, California ranks 45th for motorcycle safety. In this report, much of the blame is centered on the irregular roadway surfaces and poor condition of our state’s pavements. Although California offers perfect weather for year-round motorcycling and an ideal landscape with many scenic routes, potholes, ruts, and deteriorating pavements take a high toll on motorcyclists flocking to already-crowded roadways in increasing numbers.
The insurance survey cited California’s lack of smooth roadways as a leading reason for our state’s low rating, and much anecdotal evidence suggests that successfully riding a motorcycle on California’s rough and rutted roads requires plenty of knowledge and experience. In spite of the strong advocacy of California motorcycle accident attorneys, motorcycle accidents continue to plague heavily-traveled highways, causing delay and expense for millions of motorists annually.
Survival Strategies for California’s Rutted and Rocky Roads
In addition to using standard safety equipment such as helmets, lights, and protective clothing, and relying on basic defensive-riding and “safety zone” techniques, veteran motorcyclists often recommend the following tips and strategies for recognizing and surviving encounters with problem pavements:
Potholes
Watch for potholes on heavily-traveled or rural roads, especially at intersections or on hilly roadways. Ride around them whenever possible, as when surrounding traffic is open. A biker should only cross a pothole if it fairly small.
Tire Grooves & Channels
Deep tire grooves and channels can capture the wheels of a motorcycle and cause a rider to lose control. Such channels are created in California’s sun-heated asphalt by daily heavy traffic and are commonly found on freeways and other highways favored by big rigs. Riders should avoid them, yet if a motorcycle “settles” into a channel or rut, there is no need to panic—simply slow down before “climbing out” of the channel on a straightaway.
Deteriorating Pavement Edges & Drop-Off Shoulders
In a word, the best strategy is to avoid riding a motorcycle anywhere near the edge of a paved lane, especially when shoulder maintenance has been deferred. Layers of old pavement create a steep, often-crumbling shoulder which can be deadly to motorcyclists. When exiting the roadway onto a shoulder in poor condition, California motorcyclists should use the lowest practical speed and exit by turning off the roadway at a fairly sharp angle to avoid “sliding” off a deteriorating pavement edge.
Construction Sites
While roadway construction sites offer California motorcyclists future hope for a smoother riding surface, they also present tremendous hazards in the form of broken pavement, confusing signage, “ribbed” surfaces which can destabilize speeding motorcycles, and the danger of construction vehicles and workers in the roadway ahead. Motorcyclists traveling through stretches of highway under construction should slow down, avoid lane-splitting, and be prepared to stop or take evasive action whenever irregular pavement is encountered.
While California motorcycle attorneys have long advocated for more consistent roadway maintenance and better motorcycle safety education, motorcycle accidents continue to happen. If you or a family member has been hurt in a motorcycle accident anywhere in the State of California, a California motorcycle accident lawyer can protect your rights and work to win the financial relief and other long-term help you may need. Call 1-800-4 BIKERS to schedule your free consultation today!
