Did road gators and tar snakes ruin your motorcycle ride?

Posted in Our Blog on September 3, 2018

September weather in Gretna, Louisiana, is typically ideal for taking to the open roads on a motorcycle, slightly cooler than previous months and less rain with which to contend. However, as a biker, you will always be more vulnerable than those traveling on four wheels. Not only do you have to deal with the disregard most vehicle operators have for motorcycles but also a host of road hazards that could cause deadly accidents.

Regardless of whether you are a novice or experienced rider, alertness and awareness of your surroundings at all times might keep you alive and well. You might have the same rights to the road as motorist do, but you must also follow the same rules.

Road hazards that can spoil your ride

Letting your guard down while riding your motorcycle is the last thing you would want to do. Any of the following dangers could cause life-changing or fatal accidents:

• Potholes: Cracks, potholes and otherwise damaged road surfaces can cause you to lose control of your bike. A large hole or crack could break a wheel, and uneven highway lanes could grab a tire — construction zones are particularly hazardous.
• Debris and litter: Litter is much more than an environmental hazard. If you accidentally put your foot on a discarded soda can when you stop at an intersection, you could lose your balance and suffer a severe leg strain.
• Gravel: Although loose rocks on any stretch of road are hazardous, gravel can make your bike slide if you encounter it when you lean into a turn. Always be on the lookout for dirt and loose gravel but take extra care in intersections, corners and construction zones.
• Oil spills: Oil and other fluids can make the road surface slippery. Many large trucks leak fluids, which could cause your bike’s wheels to lose traction, but if you ride to the left or right of the center of the traffic lane, you might avoid this hazard.
• Road Gators: These are the large chunks of rubber from blown big rig tires that you might come across on your ride. However, it might be smart to avoid riding directly behind or next to commercial vehicles to avoid a blown tire or rocks and debris that fall off large cargo haulers.
• Tar Snakes: Maintenance workers fill cracks in the road with tar, which not only look like snakes but bite like snakes on warm days when the patches become slick enough to wipe out unsuspecting bikers.
• Truck stops: With the number of big rigs that frequent truck stops, it is not surprising that you could encounter all the hazards mentioned above. Rutted roads with oil spills, debris, gravel and litter make truck stops places for motorcycle riders to avoid altogether.

You might think that you will have no recourse for damage recovery if you suffered serious injuries in a motorcycle accident that did not involve a collision with another vehicle. However, if you can establish that dangerous road conditions caused the crash, you might have grounds to pursue financial relief. An experienced Louisiana personal injury attorney would be the most suitable person to find proof of negligence and navigate the ensuing legal proceedings. A successful lawsuit might result in a monetary judgment to cover your economic and noneconomic damages.