Cornering with Debris on the Roadway
Learning how to operate a motorcycle safely can lead to fewer opportunities for injuries. There are many hazards to encounter on a road that may not offer the same dangers to motorists in passenger vehicles including the weather, potholes or debris on the roadway.
Motorcyclists should constantly be on the lookout for hazards on the road such as wet leaves, a railway track, ice, and oil. If it rains, stay off the roads for at least 30 minutes to avoid a slippery surface. Debris is hazardous all the time but is especially so when cornering. This is why taking a road safety course, regardless of your skill level, is important for learning how to navigate your bike safely when you suddenly encounter debris and feel you may be losing control.
Cornering should always be performed with caution and after practicing the maneuver if you are a novice biker. But even the most cautious rider can sustain serious injuries when debris is on the road surface when you are entering a bend on the road.
If you are not riding at an excessive speed, then you can take measures to keep your bike upright and know what to do when you feel your bike is slipping. If you do fall, however, and sustain an injury, you may have a claim for damages depending on several factors:
- Your driving conduct including speed when cornering
- Type of debris
- How the debris ended up on the road
- Design of the roadway
- Weather
- Whether someone or a government entity was aware of the debris or should have been and failed to take steps to warn or eliminate the hazard
Debris can come from varied sources such as from the back of a truck, items thrown from a car or from a previous accident where the cleanup was incomplete. If the debris came from a trucking company that can be identified or it can be determined that it has been present for an unreasonable time without an effort to warn or remove it by the city, county or state responsible for the road maintenance, then you may have a negligence cause of action against the culpable party.
Your compensation will depend on proving liability of the entity responsible for the debris as well as whether your own driving conduct may have contributed to the accident and the nature and extent of your injuries.
For any injury, you may be compensated for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future wage loss
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
Contact a legal professional to discuss your accident. Having an investigator examine the accident scene, debris and obtaining witness statements is vital for receiving the compensation you deserve.