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Common Motorcycle Road Hazards

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Common Motorcycle Hazards in Cincinnati, Ohio

If you or a loved one have suffered a serious injury in a motorcycle accident caused by road hazards, you may be entitled to compensation. The Cincinnati motorcycle accident lawyers at Jones Kahan Law, LLC, know how difficult it can be to recover from injuries caused by a motorcycle accident.

Because we understand the medical and financial challenges facing you, we will not charge you any attorney’s fees until we win compensation for you. Contact our Cincinnati personal injury law firm today to schedule your consultation. If you cannot make it to our office, don’t worry, as we offer free, in-home consultations.

Ohio Motorcycle Drivers Face Construction Road Hazards

Cincinnati roads and highways are full of dangerous road hazards. Cincinnati is in the middle of a seven-phase construction project. Construction on I-71 and I-75 has been going on since 2017 and 2018, respectively. Additionally, construction sites will expand to include construction on I-275 to Ronald Reagan Highway. While road construction is necessary as Cincinnati’s population grows, it creates serious road hazard risks for motorcyclists. Construction zones often come with uneven surfaces, abrupt detours, and narrow lanes. In some cases, construction vehicles quickly enter the roadway, causing a motorcycle accident. Debris from the construction vehicles sometimes comes onto the road, creating additional hazards for motorcyclists. When construction workers fail to use reasonable care, and a motorcycle collision takes place, the responsible party may be liable for the injuries caused by the motorcycle accident.

Ohio Motorcycle Accidents Caused By Potholes

Potholes are one of the most common types of road hazards in Cincinnati, which typically occur due to road weathering. Potholes are particularly dangerous because they are difficult to spot in time, especially during inclement weather or at night. Dangerous potholes can cause tire blowouts, total loss of a motorcycle, and serious personal injuries for motorcyclists. Even diligent and cautious motorcycle riders can become injured in motorcycle accidents.

Potholes can cause motorcycle accidents directly, when a motorcyclist runs over a pothole, resulting in a motorcycle accident. In other cases, a larger vehicle swerves to avoid driving over a pothole and, in doing so, collides with a motorcyclist. If you’ve suffered an injury caused by a pothole, you should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.

Road Debris that Causes Motorcycle Accidents

Road debris is a common road hazard for motorcyclists. A truck or large SUV might be able to drive over a piece of road debris with little to no damage. On the contrary, driving over an even relatively small part of the debris could cause a serious motorcycle accident. The following types of road debris can cause motorcycle accidents:
  • Concrete
  • Asphalt
  • Dirt
  • Dust
  • Pebbles
  • Chunks of ice
  • Glass
  • Nails
  • Tire particles from a tire blow out
  • Garbage
  • Autoparts

Debris can cause a motorcyclist to lose control and collide into another vehicle. Even the best motorcyclists can’t always avoid a piece of trash on the road. When other cars or trucks swerve to avoid colliding with debris, they can run into an unsuspecting motorcyclist.

Malfunctioning Traffic Signals in Ohio

Ohio drivers rely heavily on correctly functioning traffic lights and signals. When these traffic signals fail to work correctly, drivers can get into multi-vehicle accidents. When traffic signals are not working, drivers can drive through the traffic light and cause a dangerous head-on collision. Municipalities have a legal obligation to ensure their traffic lights are working.

Who is Liable for Road Hazards that Cause Motorcycle Injuries

State and local governments have a duty to keep their roads repaired and free from obstruction. According to Ohio law, when the state of Ohio, a city, or a municipality fails to maintain public roads, they are liable for any injury, death, and losses caused by the hazardous road conditions.

Those injured from potholes may be able to make a claim against the responsible government agency or file a personal injury lawsuit against them. To succeed in a claim against a municipality, the injured party must prove the following:

  • The government entity was responsible for maintaining the road with the hazard
  • The government knew about the road hazard and had time to repair the road hazard
  • The government’s negligence caused personal injuries or property damage

Sometimes other drivers or citizens cause motorcycle road hazards. When road hazards cause motorcycle accidents on private roadways, for example, the owner of the road may be liable for the motorcyclists’ injuries.

Contact Our Ohio Personal Injury Lawyers As Soon As Possible

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by hazardous road conditions, you may be entitled to compensation. Dangerous road conditions can cause severe injuries and significant medical bills. Contact our experienced personal injury lawyers as soon as possible to schedule your initial consultation. We will evaluate your case and recommend the best legal strategy possible.