Riders should always be aware of their surroundings and focused on the task at hand driving. A total of One of the lesser-known road dangers is grass clippings. Another report from NHTSA stated that in 2016, 27% of motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes did not have a valid license. 59% of women killed in bike crashes were passengers, although passenger-carrying bikes arent involved in accidents as much. IS IT ILLEGAL? -Speeding or riding too fast for conditions Please share it with friends on social media. According to TechNavio, we can expect the electric motorcycle industry to grow by 42% by 2021. Potholes, cracked pavement, and other hazards can cause serious accidents. If your grass clippings kill motorcyclists or cause a motorcycle accident, you will be the one held responsible. Cutting the grass on a Sunday afternoon is an activity that often But can victims of accidents seek compensation for damages? For a free legal consultation, call 317-636-7777 . If you see a patch of fresh clippings on the road ahead, slow down and be prepared to swerve if necessary. It is not difficult at all to prevent blowing grass into the street. Finally, grass can also be a fire hazard, and if a motorcycle hits a patch of dry grass, it can easily ignite and cause a serious fire. Grass clippings in the roadway can be a real danger for motorcyclists anywhere, not just in Charlotte, North Carolina. Although more dangerous than cars, motorcycles can be driven safely and be a reliable source of transportation, fun, and even relaxation. Excessive grass clippings that are left in the roadway. Motorcycle riders are overrepresented in fatal traffic accidents: In 2019 alone, motorcycles accounted for 3% of all registered vehicles in the United States, but motorcyclists made up 14% of all traffic deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). } While many factors can contribute to a motorcycle accident, there are some that occur more frequently than others. Distracted driving - Distracted driving involves any activity that causes a driver or motorcyclist to take their attention off the road. places or throws glass or other dangerous substances on or adjacent to water to It can be a big issue when riding rural roads.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'knowmotorcycles_com-leader-1','ezslot_4',107,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-knowmotorcycles_com-leader-1-0'); As you probably know, grass clippings are thrown from lawnmowers and sometimes accumulate on the road making it quite slick in spots where they didnt get swept up by street sweepers or vacuumed up by street crews. 5,014 motorcyclists. CALL US:(515) 231-1438 | SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION . $745,000. Route 6 is a two-lane highway. But even if you do not get killed in a motorcycle accident, the chances of you sustaining fatal injuries that could lead to permanent disability are very high. They are also less visible to other drivers and pedestrians and less stable than four-wheel vehicles. The premise is simple: take a picture of a motorcycle with grass clippings on it, and caption it with something that would be said by a stereotypical motorcycle guy. Here are some of our favorites: Im not gonna lie, I thought this was a lawn mower at first. Dont worry, Ill just lean over and pick them up.. This is a decrease of 5.6% from the year before. Any type of distraction can take a riders focus off the road and increase their chances of being involved in an accident. In rural areas, 24% of fatal motorcycle accidents involved drivers who are under the influence of alcohol. This is entirely fair. A good example of that is black ice which most motorists know how to handle but for motorcyclists that have relatively less grip caused by a smaller contact patch between the tire and the road surface, then special handling techniques apply. Many factors can contribute to a motorcycle accident. } First, when grass is wet, it can be very slippery and can cause the motorcycle to lose traction and skid. A total of wet grass can be so obviously slick that you cannot only feel it from using your legs but from your eyes as well. hazard motorcycle riders need to watch out for when out on the road. generally adjust their speed in time, they could lose control and have a motorcycle accident caused by grass clippings. most states let the local }, Your email address will not be published. More than half of the bikers involved in crashes had less than five months of experience with the motorcycle they rode at the time of the crash. If grass clippings on the street are a result of negligence by a lawn care company or a homeowner, this can be seen as a failure to upkeep safe working circumstances. Most people don't Se Habla Espaol. Wet grass clippings after light showers can make things even worse. On the other hand, suburban and rural regions more commonly house big green yards and dirt roads, which pose a risk for two-wheel vehicles. However, only 40% of the riders involved in an accident wore a helmet. So whats behind this trend? A helmet is unlikely to cause an accident if its a well-fitted and certified model. Even though we can't say exactly how many motorcycle accidents result from grass in the road, we know that grass is a true threat to motorcyclists' safety. Cars and trucks have little to no issues passing over a pile of grass laying on the street. The risk of feet and ankle injuries is reduced by 90% by wearing armored motorcycle boots. Because of the extreme physical and mental coordination needed to ride a motorcycle, you would think that riders will always have the common sense to not ride after drinking. Law Tigers is a qualifying provider service in Florida. In a few states there are laws against blowing your grass (1) Based on surveys of motorcyclists using helmets meeting Department of Transportation standards. Wearing a DOT-compliant helmet can greatly reduce your risk of being killed or injured in a motorcycle crash so if youre going to ride without one, be aware that youre putting yourself at increased risk. In summer months, lawn trimmings can be as This meme has been making the rounds on social media, and we have to say, its pretty funny! If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident due to grass clippings or another person's carelessness, make sure to contact Ryan Montgomery today. Inexperience, speeding, and alcohol use are the most common factors contributing to motorcycle crashes. Most people do not leave out grass clippings with the intent to cause an accident, but the threat to motorcyclists always exists. A driver who takes his or her eyes off the road for even a second can easily miss a motorcycle with devastating consequences. If you find yourself in a situation where your motorcycle starts to slip on grass clippings, the best thing to do is slow down and carefully ride until you reach a safe area. In such situations, the responsible party remains unknown but the victims must provide indisputable evidence proving their case. So, while some statistics might not seem important, others can be quite helpful. If you're going to drink before getting on your bike, make sure you have a designated driver or plan to take public transportation home.." Less than 10% of motorcyclists involved in accidents had any insurance. Preventing your lawns grass clippings from ending up on the road is easy. This included everything from potholes to construction materials to, you guessed it, grass clippings. may be oblivious to the fact that the simple action of sending the freshly cut It can become impossible to control the motorcycle safely. It may surprise you to learn how many motorcycle accidents grass on the road can cause. 5,014 motorcyclists died in crashes in 2019. In most cases, bikers have less than 2 seconds to try to avoid a collision. especially if their tires aren't in top condition. Slippery road More distracted drivers: Distracted driving is a problem across all modes of transportation, but it may be especially hazardous for motorcyclists. The man, who has not yet been identified, was riding his motorcycle on a rural road near the town of Laconia, New Hampshire, when the accident occurred. portalId: "6889292", Again Motorcyclists have less grip when riding on grass surfaces than other motorists hence riding on-road or mud surfaces, extra care should be taken when riding on grass surfaces. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 40% of motorcycle crashes are caused by rider error. No legal fees are shared with Law Tigers, members do not pay for leads, and Law Tigers does not and cannot establish an attorney/client relationship between any prospective client and member law firm. Motorcycles have to maintain contact with the pavement with both tires . In 2015, 88,000 motorcyclists were injured in crashes a 5 percent increase from 2014. There are a few possible explanations: More motorcycles on the road: There are more motorcycles on the road than ever before. Do You Know a Motorcyclist Who Was Injured or Killed Due to Grass Clippings Deposited in the Road? Speeding While speed limits are set for a reason, many riders choose to ignore them especially on highways and interstates. permission and does not immediately remove it; Negligently Other times it is directly caused by property owners tossing their grass clippings into the street. Her friends and family want people to know that grass clippings kill motorcyclists. But even though some states do not explicitly prohibit it, common sense should tell that lane splitting is usually a bad idea. Awards, Accolades, Honors, and Recognition, injury and death to motorcyclists on the road, Click here to view all of our office locations, Existing Clients, Adjusters and Providers. Schedule your free case evaluation today! First, they can cause the motorcycle to slip and lose traction. Cheryl Zeglen and her husband Tom were riding . { Source: U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). But what about motorcycles? Almost half of all fatal accidents showed alcohol present. For one thing, grass clippings and other lawn debris can clog storm drains and cause water pollution. Tell us what happened and we will call you. The wet grass we identified as a problem before. Many different types of road hazards can cause a motorcycle wreck in Nevada. Resource: exchange.aaa.com/prevent-road-debris/#.YJgEQLVKg2w It's yet another Unfortunately, many riders allow themselves to become distracted by things like other vehicles, passengers, cell phones, etc. In 2016, there were 5,286 motorcycle fatalities in the United States a decrease of 3 percent from the previous year. As a result, the rider may lose command of the vehicle and fall. If you ride on gravel or dirt roads, then grass and leaf litter are unavoidable but with this article, I want to focus on the grass clippings that get thrown onto the road from residential mowers. If they can't switch lanes, avoid parked cars on a street or Deputies say Jonathan and Theresa Payne, both of Harrison, Ohio, were traveling separately on their Harley Davidson's when Theresa lost control of her motorcycle on grass clippings in the roadway. Just because riding a motorcycle comes with dangerous caveats does not mean you cannot lessen your chances of being fatally injured. 12, 2019 at 7:01 PM PDT. If you have been hurt, or have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident caused by grass clippings in the street, contact TorkLaw. Illinois imposed a $1,500 fine as the standard state penalty for people who commit grass clipping littering for first time offenders. 3715 Northside Pkwy NW Building 300, Suite 650 Atlanta, GA 30327, Fresh cut grass In April, Aaron Lee was killed in a motorcycle crash in Kentucky. Knowingly However, urban areas are more likely to have vacuum systems that keep things clean and sweepers that pick up loose litter like leaves and litter like paper cups and fast-food containers. In 2018, 28% of fatal motorcycle accidents involved drunk drivers. In 2017, 34% of motorcycle accidents were caused by speeding. Because riding is perfect when it is sunny and bright, states with warmer weather continue to see high numbers of motorcycle-related deaths every year. 61% of deaths from motorcycle accidents occur in urban areas. If a motorcycle rider comes upon them suddenly, such as just after a curve, and doesnt have time to slow down, the clippings can cause a dangerous loss of traction. Grass clippings can be dangerous if they build up on the road and dry out to become extremely slippery. The authorities are still investigating the exact circumstances of the accident, but it appears that the victim rode into a large clump of grass that had been blown onto the road by the wind. Even dry lawn debris creates a barrier between the concrete and tires which makes it more difficult to maneuver a motorbike. Lawn care experts suggest that it's best to allow your lawn cuttings to decompose naturally right on the lawn or use them for compost or mulch. -Making an improper lane change (50-) of a public highway; or. So, always check your blind spot before switching lanes or making turns. Grass clippings do not normally cause accidents when motorcycles are ridden through them at normal speeds. Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Most riders who cause an accident have already been involved in at least one in the past. Illinois man cited for grass clippings in road after fatal motorcycle crash #1 IROQUOIS, Jul 3, 2019. sidecarsam Gold Member. 3/4 of bike accidents involve other vehicles, while only 1/4 are single-vehicle accidents. "When it did, the whole back end of my slingshot went out. They should also avoid riding in bad weather whenever possible. And finally, speeding and alcohol use are both major contributing factors to motorcycle accidents. Milwaukee motorcycle accident statistics. Lastly, motorcycle riders can claim general negligence against the lawn care company or a homeowner. which the public has access for swimming or wading, or on or within fifty feet Riding over grass clippings can be slippery and dangerous, and it is always better to err on the side of caution when riding a motorcycle. Includes pickups, vans, truck-based station wagons and utility vehicles. area of law most applicable to this particular hazard. Drive defensively: Be aware of your surroundings and always assume that other drivers dont see you. If you find yourself riding in an urban area where theres heavy traffic then your chance of encountering slippery grass or wet grass is much less than riding through rural areas. No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers. Motorcyclists may have to take safety measures to avoid wiping out. Other vehicles violating motorcycles right-of-way is what causes 2/3 of multiple-vehicle accidents. There are a few reasons why grass clippings are bad for motorcycles. Unfortunately, North Carolina does not have a state-wide statute to deal with the issue of grass . discharges sewage, minerals, oil products or litter into any public waters or Our motorcycle accident attorneys will discuss your case, for free, over the phone or in person. 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