You never know when bad timing could lead to an accident on a motorcycle. As such, it is always a good idea to be aware of hazards that you may sustain so you can safely avoid them on the roadways. Of course, not every accident will be avoidable, which is when it is a good time to talk to an attorney. Consider this: You are riding your motorcycle along in the countryside, zipping over hills and enjoying the breeze. A car going the speed limit comes up over a hill, doesn't see you in enough time, and slams into your motorcycle. Unfortunately, these accidents happen all the time because of bad timing. In other incidents, an accident may be avoided by following precautions.

With well over 4 million motorcycles being registered in the United States, you may find that the likelihood of motorcycles is prevalent. The fact of the matter is this: Many people are not killed in these accidents due to the negligent act itself. They are killed because motorcycles in general do not provide the same protection in a crash that an automobile may have. Some people believe that those riding a motorcycle should think about attending a motorcycle rider-training course so that they can safely and skillfully learn how to operate a motorcycle successfully. In those cases, they will be able to learn about the hazards that could spring up on the roadways at any time. (1)

Today we take a look at many of the reasons why motorcycle accidents happen and why they are important to keep in mind.

Understanding the Many Road Hazards Motorcyclists Face

Motorcyclists are known to inherently face more hazards on the roadways than their automobile counterparts. Bikers should never assume that, because they have been riding for years, they would always avoid an accident. Here are some of the most common hazards that they may face:

Rough Roads: Rough roads may be the result of many factors, such as construction work or resurfacing efforts. These can become a huge hazard to motorcyclists quite quickly and should be avoided at any cost.

Pavement Gravel: Gravel can cause problems if it is encountered during cornering. In many cases, a motorcyclist may be riding a bit too quickly and will come across a patch of gravel. They may not have the skills to ride a bike in these conditions, causing an accident.

Edge Breaks: This occurs when two traffic lanes are different heights. If a motorcyclist is traveling at fast speeds, it may cause an accident immediately.

Animals: Even the smallest animal could throw a motorcycle off path or balance in the event that a motorcyclist hits one. And in the event of a larger animal, such as a deer, a motorcyclist could become severely injured or killed in the blink of an eye.

Slick Surfaces: Slippery surfaces can be even more hazardous than cars for motorcyclists. Many debris and road surfaces can become slick, such as leaves, crosswalk lines, trolley tracks, and anti-freeze or oil. A rider should also be aware of snow or ice on surfaces.

Debris or Objects: Parts of tire tread and things that fell off of trucks are hazardous to motorcycle riders. They may cause a crash or the object could hit a rider.

Yes, the list of hazards goes on and on for riders. This is why it pays to stay aware of what you may encounter on the roadways. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you can give us a call today so we can get started on your claim. Call us today for more information.