Motorcycle Accidents Caused By Poor Road Conditions
As smaller and more lightweight vehicles, motorcycles are much more susceptible to dangerous road conditions than standard passenger cars. A crack, pothole or obstacle in the road could cause a serious motorcycle accident. Even if another driver is not involved in your crash, if it was caused by poor road conditions, you may be eligible for financial compensation from the government according to Los Angeles personal injury lawyers.
How Road Conditions Can Impact Motorcyclists
The state of a roadway can have a major impact on motorcyclists – significantly more so than cars, vans or trucks. Motorcycles are lighter and less stable by nature, meaning that even a small road defect can present a serious crash risk.
Common road-related issues that can contribute to motorcycle accidents include:
- Faulty pavement
- Potholes
- Cracks
- Loose gravel
- Storm debris
- Branches or rocks
- Spilled garbage
- Uneven shoulders
- Broken guardrails
- Missing reflectors
- Poor draining and standing water
- Grass clippings
Encountering a road hazard on a motorcycle could throw the vehicle off balance and lead to a dangerous loss of control, potentially causing the motorcyclist to slide, lay the motorcycle down, careen off the road, or crash into other vehicles or fixed objects.
Who Can Be Held Accountable for Motorcycle Accidents Caused By Poor Road Conditions?
California is a fault state, which means the party at fault for an automobile accident can be held liable, or financially responsible, for the victim’s medical bills, property repairs and various other losses. Accident cases related to dangerous road conditions often point to the fault of the party that owns the roadway according to LA auto accident attorneys.
The government is the entity in charge of ensuring safe public roads. In Los Angeles, for example, the County of Los Angeles Public Works Department is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of paved roads within the city. If your accident took place on a private road or parking lot, on the other hand, the private property owner could be held liable.
How to File a Claim Against the Government
If the city government is negligent in some way, meaning it falls short of the expected standard of care, it could be held accountable for a motorcycle accident caused by dangerous road conditions. If the community had previously submitted complaints about a road hazard, for instance, but the city failed to remedy it in a timely manner, this could be used as evidence of negligence in a related crash claim.
Holding the city or state government responsible for a crash caused by poor road conditions can be challenging. Under the doctrine of sovereign immunity, the government is protected from liability in many situations. However, it is still possible to base a claim on the grounds of negligence. You have just six months to initiate a claim against the government under the California Tort Claims Act, so act quickly.
When to Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
To receive financial compensation from the government or another party for your motorcycle accident, you may have to prove that a dangerous road defect or condition was to blame. These cases often encounter issues, such as an insurance company attempting to blame the motorcycle operator for the crash due to biases.The most effective way to protect yourself during the legal process is by hiring an LA motorcycle accident attorney to represent you. An attorney can investigate your crash and collect evidence, such as photographs of the road condition and complaints regarding the hazard. To discuss your case with an attorney at no cost, contact Rose, Klein & Marias LLP for a free consultation.