7 Road Hazards Motorcyclists Should Avoid 

Motorcycles are a popular means of transportation in Florida. In fact, there are nearly 600,000 motorcycles registered on the roads of the sunshine state today. While motorcycles are a fun and exhilarating form of transportation, they can be dangerous to the drivers and passengers who ride them. Just like when you drive any motor vehicle, you should always remain alert and on the lookout for any road hazards that could cause an accident. 

Baker Legal Team has over 30 years of experience helping victims of motorcycle accidents in Florida. While you may be an overall safe driver, these top seven road hazards have been known to wreak havoc on Florida roads. 

Seven Common Road Hazards Florida Motorcyclists Should Avoid

When driving through the tropical state of Florida, a motorcycle offers you a scenic and exciting way to make your commute. While you may be a safe and responsible driver, an accident may still occur. Road hazards can cause an accident for any motor vehicle. Still, being that motorcycles operate on only two wheels, motorcyclists face even more danger if a road hazard causes an accident. The following are seven common road hazards Florida motorcyclists should avoid:

Railroad Crossings

Going over railroad tracks may be nothing more than a few bumps in the road in a car. However, on a motorcycle, the wheels may get stuck, causing the driver to be thrown or fall off. If you can avoid going over railroad tracks by taking a different route to your destination, it is advised that you do so to avoid injury. 

Edge Breaks

An edge break between lanes is when one side of the road is higher or lower than the one the motorcyclist is currently driving on. Edge breaks are dangerous to motorcyclists, especially on highways when traveling at high speeds, because the break may cause the driver to lose control or fall off their motorcycle. Drivers should look out for these and approach them as slowly as possible to avoid an accident.

Expansion and Bridge Joints

Expansion joints connect pieces of the road, while bridges do the same thing for bridge ways and allow for cement to expand without cracking. While these joints are crucial to driver safety, they may create large gaps that can catch a motorcycle’s wheel. Drivers should try to avoid driving over these, but if that is not possible, they should avoid significant fluctuations in speed. 

Gravel

For larger, four-wheeled vehicles, gravel may not be an issue. Gravel may cause the wheels to lose traction for motorcycles, causing the bike to slide out from beneath you. When driving over gravel, motorcyclists should try not to lean and should avoid making any sudden stops. 

Wet Surfaces

After rain or flooding, the roads may become wet and slippery, which can be treacherous for a motorcyclist to drive in. Drivers should try to go at a slower pace and brake gradually to avoid losing control of the bike. 

Debris in the Road

Debris in the road can range from pieces of tires, rocks, or broken glass. Debris can cause an accident or fly up and hit the driver, causing an injury, and should be avoided if possible. 

Animals

When an animal like a deer or raccoon is on the road, a motorcyclist should slow down and try to avoid them. Unfortunately, if it is not safe to avoid the animal, a motorcyclist may cause damage driving into oncoming traffic to avoid the animal. 

Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Are On Your Side

Road hazards can be extremely dangerous for motorcyclists when driving in Florida. If an accident does occur, leaving you injured, you may want to partner with an experienced Florida motorcycle injury attorney. 

Baker Legal Team has over 30 years of experience helping victims of Florida motorcycle accidents build strong personal injury claims. Robert Baker is one of the one percent of Florida board-certified attorneys and is proud to lead his legal team in helping clients through honest and dedicated representation. For a free consultation, contact us here or call (561) 320-0000.