Motorcycle Accidents Caused by Hazardous Roadways in Delaware

Trusted injury attorneys fighting for your rights throughout Delaware

Motorcycles are small, fast, and easy to maneuver on the road, but they are also at the mercy of many hazardous conditions on the road that do not pose the same danger to vehicles with four or more wheels. Poor road design, negligent road maintenance and debris on the road’s surface can cause a motorcycle to crash where they can become injured or lose their life.

At Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, we understand the unique challenges that motorcycle riders face. We are here to protect your rights to compensation when you were hurt in an accident because of someone else’s negligence. Our Delaware motorcycle accident lawyers have successfully represented riders just like you, and helped them create better options for their future.

Examples of hazards in the roadway that can cause motorcycles to crash

Something as seemingly minor as wet leaves or gravel can pose a serious hazard to motorcycle riders. They can skid and slide and crash. Here are some more examples of common road hazards that are dangerous for motorcycles, but might not cause a problem for vehicles with four wheels:

• Slick road surfaces. Whether the road is slick from the rain, an oil spill or if large, metal plates have been placed on the road to cover up road work in progress, slippery roads pose a hazard to motorcycles.
• Railroad crossings. The small tires of a motorcycle can get caught in railroad tracks causing them to crash.
• Poorly graded, blind curves and road shoulders that are uneven. Even the most experienced motorcycle rider will have trouble navigating roads with blind corners and uneven shoulders.
• Potholes in the road after a harsh winter pose a dangerous hazard when a motorcycle tire gets caught in a deep or wide pothole.
• Rough, unevenly paved roads can cause motorcycle accidents.
• Animals crossing the roadway can cause a motorcycle rider to swerve to avoid them, and a larger animal such as a deer can cause a fatal crash if a rider hits one on the road.

In a report about the environmental factors that pose a hazard to motorcycle riders, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation has issued some recommendations about how roadways in the U.S. could be made safer for motorcyclists. They suggested that “Roadway engineers and other traffic designers need to elevate the placement of motorcycle safety dynamics as a consideration in design, construction, and maintenance of roadways at all levels of oversight—federal, state, county, and local. This may also benefit the safety of other vehicles.” When all of these entities start working together to keep the safety needs of motorcycle riders in mind when designing and maintaining roads, it will go a long way towards diminishing some of these roadway hazards.

Single vehicle motorcycle accidents from roadway hazards

When a motorcycle gets into an accident caused by a hazard in the roadway, there may not be another vehicle involved, but that does not mean that the motorcycle rider was at fault. If they were riding past a construction area and a large, wet metal plate covered most of the travel lane and the bike skidded and slipped on the slick surface, they may be able to file a claim against the construction company for their injuries and property damage. If a motorcycle rider hit a pothole and was injured in the accident that followed, they may be able to file a claim against the city. Proving liability in a motorcycle crash can be complicated, but when you are working with an experienced Delaware motorcycle accident attorney at Silverman, McDonald & Friedman you can be confident that your case will be handled in the most professional way possible.

The legal team at Silverman, McDonald & Friedman knows how challenging it can be to prevail in a claim for a single vehicle motorcycle accident, but our Delaware personal injury attorneys have the experience to investigate your accident and find out who can be held responsible for creating the circumstances that led to your accident.

Meet with an experienced Delaware motorcycle accident lawyer today

The Delaware motorcycle accident lawyers at Silverman, McDonald & Friedman are ready to fight for your rights after an accident. We will take on the legal challenge while you focus on healing. You are welcome to call us at 302-888-2900 or fill out our quick contact form to schedule your free consultation. We have offices in Wilmington, Newark and Seaford, DE to serve you.