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Motorcyclists: Seams in the Road Are More Dangerous than Potholes

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
motorcycle-on-roadThe next time you hit the road on your motorcycle, watch for seams or bumps in the middle of your lane. These cracks in the road can be more dangerous than potholes, and, unfortunately, authorities are less likely to fix these road hazards. While hitting a pothole can jolt your front suspension and possibly damage one of your rims, your front suspension should absorb much of the impact. Most of the time, you can get over a pothole pretty quickly with little or no damage to your bike. Meanwhile, seams in the road can have a dangerous effect on your suspension and steering. You could veer off the road or into oncoming traffic. Adding to the danger is the fact that seams in the road are more difficult to see than potholes. Unlike potholes, seams might not have broken asphalt and there will not be a shadow unless the sun is low. You can also be alerted to a pothole by watching the vehicles in front of you to see if they are bumping around. However, cars will straddle seams in the road, offering you no warning.

Tips to Handle Seams in the Road

Follow these five tips to avoid bumps in the road and prevent accidents:
  • Avoid the middle of a lane if you are traveling on a country road or an under-engineered road. These roads are more likely to have bumps in them.
  • Leave a safe distance between your bike and the vehicle in front of you so you will have a better chance of noticing upcoming bumps.
  • Slow down as much as possible before hitting a bump, but release the brakes before you hit the bump so your suspension will absorb the hit.
  • Shift your upper body forward to keep the front wheel from lifting off the ground too high, thereby helping absorb the impact.
  • After passing the bump, stop and take a picture if safe to do so. Send the photo with details of the location to local authorities requesting that they fix it.
If you have been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, you could be entitled to compensation for your suffering. Contact the motorcycle accident attorneys at the Arnold Law Firm to review your legal options.

Call (916) 777-7777 of complete a Free Case Evaluation form.

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.