Did you know that there are more than 750,000 licensed motorcyclists in New York? Riding a motorcycle down the roads is a liberating and convenient experience but not always the safest one. Road debris can cause your leisurely drive to turn dangerous or even deadly.
In terms of motorcycle accident road debris, NY deals with this issue frequently. If you're concerned about this topic, read on to learn more about road debris, how to avoid it, and what to do if the hazard crosses your path.
Common Road Debris
New York is full of bustling cities and towns across New York State, and there's no telling what you will hit on the road. Sometimes the debris is on the road in situations where a pothole, manhole, or other such hazard appears.
You also are likely to run into (or over) pieces of debris from other cars. Generally, the city's population can cause debris on the road in the form of litter.
Here are some of the most common hazards and sources of debris you may encounter:
- Loose gravel, asphalt, or rocks
- Potholes or damaged roads
- Broken auto parts that fell from other vehicles
- Trash, rubbish, wrappers, and other litter dropped by vehicles or pedestrians
- Spilled water or leaked oil
- Animals and roadkill
- Foliage and branches from nearby trees or bushes
- Glass, metal, plastic, and other remnants of a vehicle accident
- Chunks of rubber or tire from a blow-out, commonly left by large semi-trucks
If you drive frequently, there is a high chance you've encountered some or even all the items on this list. Unfortunately, this list is far from exhaustive, and there are many other sources of debris on the road.
Deciding Liability
One of the first things that come to mind after a motorcycle accident caused by road debris is who's liable. That said, one can't always find a single answer to such a question, and the aftermath is impacted by how the situation occurred.
New York is a No-Fault State. According to New York's government, you can only bring auto accident lawsuits to court for economic losses that exceed No-Fault benefits and for non-economic damages.
Your insurance coverage will hopefully cover most of your medical costs and the damage to your motorcycle. However, coverage is complicated by the fact that one can't always identify the source of debris.
If the source of debris is the state's fault, a personal injury lawyer may advise you to take the case against the state. A personal injury lawyer will likely also help decide fault, what damages to seek, and much more. It's challenging to navigate for the inexperienced, so hiring a professional is always highly recommended.
A good point of advice is to wear a recording device, whether a camera in your helmet or something similar, which can help to catch footage of what caused the accident and prove that you weren't at fault. For example, if the accident was caused by another vehicle throwing debris out of their car, this footage will also prove helpful.
How To File a Claim
For motorcycle accident road debris, NY motorcycle accident lawyers can help you to file a claim through the correct channels. However, if you intend to file against the state of New York, the situation is much more difficult.
States have a high number of safeguards against most cases of liability. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help you determine the best way to seek damages and where your case will prove most successful.
The steps to filing a claim change radically depending on the situation, so having a professional that knows how and where to file is invaluable.
Preventing Motorcycle Accidents Due to Road Debris
The best way to avoid these issues is to prevent motorcycle accidents to the best of your ability. Unfortunately, New York is big enough that the roads will rarely be completely clear of all debris.
Avoiding the most cluttered roads is a good way to avoid debris when possible. In addition, staying off the most traffic-heavy roads reduces the chance of running over litter, liquid, oil, and other hazards resulting from other cars.
It's also helpful to know the roads you're driving on. If you're familiar with the terrain of the road, this can help you avoid situations like damage, potholes, and other hazards that a damaged road may present.
Above all else, stay alert while driving. Even if you're knowledgeable about the roads, you never know when another hazard will appear. So drive safely, stay vigilant, and avoid debris at all costs.
Contact Our NY Motorcycle Lawyers for Help
A motorcycle accident can leave you in pain and feeling frustrated and hopeless. When the accident is due to someone else's lack of care, you may need legal representation to ensure your rights and best interests are protected—in these situations, having someone who is on your side to back you up can be a huge relief.
The compassionate motorcycle accident lawyers of Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, will be right there by your side, every step of the process. Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.