Many motorcycle accidents are associated with other vehicle drivers who are not paying attention and fail to yield to the motorcyclist. However, not every motorcycle accident involves another driver as motorcyclists can be involved in single-vehicle crashes just like anyone else.
When a single-vehicle crash occurs, it is often assumed that the motorcyclist is automatically at fault—after all, no one else seemed to be directly involved. However, another party can still be held liable for a single-vehicle accident under certain circumstances. Determining such liability can require an investigation and resources, so you should always discuss your accident and injuries with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Roads Defects and Hazards
Many motorcyclists crash because they suddenly came upon a road defect or hazard that they simply could not avoid. Motorcyclists are at a particularly high risk of crashing due to hazardous road conditions because of the nature of their vehicle and their lack of seat belts, airbags, and other protections.
Roadways should always be safe for all motorists. This means that roads should first be properly designed and that they should then be properly inspected and maintained. If a hazard is discovered in a roadway, it should be repaired in a timely manner and adequate warning should be given to motorists regarding the danger in the meantime. Unfortunately, this does not always occur and motorcyclists are injured on a regular basis due to road defects.
The following are only some examples of road design flaws or maintenance defects that may cause a motorcycle crash:
- Speed limits that are too high for road conditions
- Failure to warn of upcoming sharp turns or blind intersections
- Inadequate guardrails
- Deteriorating shoulder or no shoulder
- Narrow lanes, especially on two-lane rural highways
- Lack of sufficient lighting so that motorcyclists cannot clearly see the road
- Traffic signals that are improperly timed or that no longer work
- Overgrown vegetation that obstructs traffic signals, stop signs, or warning signs
- Large cracks, potholes, or similar road damage that leads a motorcyclist to flip over
- Gravel or debris on the road that causes a motorcyclist to skid
- Failing to warn of construction zones or having construction hazards in the road
- These are only some examples of road conditions that may be highly dangerous for
- motorcyclists.
Motorcyclists can sustain severe injuries in single-vehicle accidents. If a crash was caused by a road defect, a motorcyclist may have the right to seek compensation from the party that was responsible for that roadway. The laws governing legal claims against the state of Virginia or municipalities are complex and confusing, however, so you should seek help as soon as possible from a lawyer who has experience handling this type of claim.
Call Our Petersburg, Virginia Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Today
If you have been in a motorcycle crash, you have nothing to lose by discussing your situation with a skilled Virginia motorcycle accident lawyer. Emroch & Kilduff has offices conveniently located in Richmond, Petersburg, Tappahannock, and Fredericksburg, so please contact us online or by calling 804-358-1568 for more information.
