Pothole Accidents

Potholes are familiar sights on our roads, but this doesn’t mean they are any less dangerous for motorcyclists and passengers. They can be formed by wear and tear, water, cold temperatures, or excessive heat. Unfortunately, potholes can cause vehicle damage and lead to severe injuries for all motorists. However, motorcyclists are the most vulnerable to these road hazards. Due to a motorcycle’s size and design, riders are more prone to lose control after running into a pothole, causing them to flip over or veer into traffic.

Potholes can cause damage to vehicles worth hundreds and even thousands of dollars. Sixty-three percent of Americans don’t have the money to pay for these repairs. According to the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission of the U.S. Congress, an annual investment of $185 billion per year is required by all levels of government to maintain the country’s roads, bridges, and highways.

What If a Pothole Caused Your Motorcycle Accident?

Poorly maintained streets and roads lead to many crashes annually. If you are thrown from your motorcycle due to a pothole, you can suffer severe injuries, disfigurement, or even death. While federal, state, and local governments are responsible for planning, building, and maintaining American roads, it can get tricky to determine who is accountable for your motorcycle accident.

If you were injured in a pothole accident in the Fresno area, you might be eligible to file a personal injury claim against the municipality in charge of that road. However, holding government entities accountable for your damages and injuries can be difficult. First, you need to determine whether the government agency knew about the pothole and failed to warn drivers and motorcyclists about the issues or repair the pothole. 

At Grossman Law Offices, we can help you hold the party who caused your accident accountable. We can help you seek money for your damages and losses by investigating who was in charge of the road when your motorcycle accident occurred. A Fresno personal injury attorney at Grossman Law Offices can investigate your accident, determine liability, and handle the negotiations to recover fair compensation. Contact our law office today. Whatever the cause of your motorcycle accident, we’re here for you.

Potholes Safety Tips

Potholes tend to go unseen until it is too late. They won’t appear different from ordinary puddles if they are filled with water. At night, they are usually challenging to see. You can hit a pothole in plain daylight because the traffic may be too heavy to swerve. However, it would be best if you considered the following safety tips while on the road:

  • Always keep a safe following distance to see and react to a pothole. If you are following large trucks, it is best to stay even farther away.
  • Slow down on corners. Your view may be limited on corners, preventing you from seeing on-coming potholes.
  • Pay attention to the cars and trucks in front of you. If the traffic is swerving around something ahead, this may be a sign of an obstacle, uneven pavement, or pothole. You can also notice if a car runs over a pothole judging by its up and down motion.
  • Report potholes and road hazards to the California Department of Transportation so they can get repaired.
  • Beware of puddles

The severity of potholes can vary greatly. Some potholes can be relatively shallow, but the deeper and greater ones can severely damage your motorcycle and yourself. Even if you can regain control of your motorcycle and not strike other items, you may still need to handle injuries from the impact with the pothole itself.  

We understand how severe these motorcycle accidents can be, so we want to help you seek the compensation you deserve. Speak with a motorcycle accident attorney from Grossman Law Offices today and schedule your free consultation.

Need Legal Help? Contact Grossman Law Offices

Anyone who contributed to your motorcycle accident can be held accountable for your losses and injuries. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident due to a pothole in Fresno or the surrounding areas, contact Grossman Law Offices today and schedule a free consultation. It may be challenging to navigate a complicated motorcycle accident case by yourself while focusing on recovering from your injuries. But more than that, you do not have to fight for your rights on your own. Contact a Fresno motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.