Road Defects and Driveways a Hazard to Tennessee Motorcyclists

By Thomas Greer | December 23, 2013

Tennessee’s weather and beautiful countryside lend themselves to enjoying getting on a bike and riding throughout the year.  It is easy to forget everything while enjoying the open road, but defects in the roadways and hidden dangers from driveways pose treacherous threats to bikers every day.

Many bikers are aware of the potential for harm that may come from road defects.  Uneven surfaces, ruts, potholes, sunken drains, road debris, and unmaintained roads can cause a severe bike accident.  Although drivers of other vehicles may not notice the hazards, the two-wheeled construction of the motorcycle makes it inherently more vulnerable to being thrown off-kilter from hitting a defect the wrong way.  This could lead to destabilization of the bike and a painful skid across the pavement.  If there are other drivers or fixed structures, the harm to the rider could be severe or life-threatening.  The question of who is responsible for the maintenance of the roadway usually leads to a government agency, which makes liability and damages a complex legal process.   However, many people overlook the other road dangers that exist while out riding.

Driveways pose a significant danger to bikers for a couple of reasons.  The more obvious threat comes from drivers who are pulling out of a driveway without paying attention to the fact that there is a biker on the road.  Suddenly appearing in front of the bike will result in the bike swerving to avoid the vehicle and likely going into a dangerous slide or slamming into the side of the vehicle, resulting in traumatic injuries including broken bones and serious head injuries.  However, another potentially lethal risk comes from a by-product of these driveways and that is dirt and gravel.

How many times have you observed a gravel trail extending out of an unpaved driveway?  Owners who have gravel driveways do not even think about it when they have to add material to the surface to correct dips and holes.  This loosely packed gravel and dirt may wash away a little with heavy rains or be tracked into the road by exiting vehicles, but the result is a miniature debris field that can take down a motorcycle that is otherwise under the control of the biker. A biker has to remain vigilant and reduce speed whenever he sees gravel in the road in order to avoid a serious accident.  Driving around the debris is the best option when it is safe to do so.

Another type of road hazard that may surprise motorcyclists and lead to an accident is the seal in the roadway that might cover a road repair seam or joint or the raised center line that may catch a bike’s wheel when the rider is attempting to pass on a two-lane road.  If the joint seal is not installed or applied properly, it can result in an obstruction that causes a motorcycle to wreck, severely injuring the rider.

Motorcyclists face a particular challenge in getting the compensation that they deserve from wrecks caused by defects in the road.  These actions usually require litigation against a government agency and the company that was hired to perform any temporary or permanent sealing work or other road construction or maintenance.  While establishing liability against a homeowner who has allowed his gravel drive to wash into the road is tricky, state agency litigation is very complex.  If you have been harmed in a motorcycle accident, you should contact the experienced Tennessee motorcycle accident attorneys at Bailey & Greer, PLLC as soon as possible to protect your interests.  We are ready to talk with you about your case in a free and confidential consultation.  To schedule a meeting, call us at 901-680-9777.

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