Comments on: Loose Gravel on the Road can be a Biker and Motorcyclist worst Nightmare; Beware.

By: Morton

Morton — Thu, 04 May 2017 03:46:56 +0000

I recently ran into a small patch of sand washed up on the road from recent rains. Although I knew about the dangers of loose grit (2nd most common cause of motorcycle accidents), I did not expect it to be as violent as it was. I pictured it as slide that occurred over 1-3 seconds. For me, it took less than a quarter of a second to go down. My speed was less than 15mph, and my protective gear prevented serious injuries, but I still required 10 stitches on my gashed elbow. Even at that low speed, my leather jacket abraded through 1.2mm of leather, the jacket lining, my shirt and then my skin.

When I’m ready to start riding again, I will be adding shoulder, elbow, knee, shin and rib protection (I wish I had been wearing those during my accident). If you haven’t had an accident on your bike, you might not respect the fragility of your body, please consider wearing as much protective equipment as you can afford.

As far as placing blame on anyone or any local government entity, my feelings are mixed. It isn’t practical for a city or county to ensure every foot of roadway is clear of all debris. Every time it rains, crews would have to go over every road in their jurisdiction to see what has washed up.

However, if there is a construction site, or gravel driveway that CONSISTENTLY donates lots of debris to the main roadway, that could be the legitimate responsibility of the owner.

Its really not the attorney’s responsibility to decide which case is actionable, PLUS, it the judge’s (or jury’s) decision to determine fault/blame in every case. If it’s a BS Case, it should caught at the courtroom.

By: Theresa

Theresa — Mon, 20 Mar 2017 19:05:26 +0000

Not only are sand and gravel a problem, but my husband and I like to ride the country roads and people will bushhog their property and leave the grass on the road. That can be as hazardous as gravel and sand. People have no respect for motorcycles at all.

By: John

John — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 18:32:21 +0000

As a new motorcycle rider (in my 40s), I can definitely tell you that there are a number of things that non-motorcyclists do not consider at all about motorcycles. These range from parking spaces (its difficult sometimes to park your bike and make sure its visible to others so that wont plow into it). This morning, I also encountered loose gravel and almost ate it. I wasn’t going fast, I slowed for the turn, per my motorcycle safety class, and still found myself slip from some loose sand. Luckily, I recovered from it, but I could have been seriously injured had the length of the sand spot been even a few inches longer. The city failed to maintain the road properly following a recent rain storm and I could have paid the price for it, just because I ride a motorcycle doesn’t mean that poor road maintenance should put me at risk, any more than driving a compact car means that I’m at fault if my car gets crushed in an accident with a larger vehicle. I drive an SUV and ride a motorcycle, my life isn’t work any less on my bike than it is in my Jeep.

By: Norman Gregory Fernandez

Norman Gregory Fernandez — Fri, 15 Aug 2014 01:37:51 +0000

In reply to Benjamin. Give me a call at 800-816-1529 and we can talk. Norm

By: Benjamin

Benjamin — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 04:13:24 +0000

I read your blog and I find very useful information. I had a motorcycle accident a few weeks ago because of the loose gravel on the road. I was pretty bad injured I had to flown in a helicopter to the hospital. I live in the state of KY and I was wondering if you can help me out. I’m not sure if you can give a hand with this referring me to a lawyer here in KY. THANKS

By: Norman Gregory Fernandez

Norman Gregory Fernandez — Sat, 01 May 2010 22:14:25 +0000

I will let you say your piece Mike because it makes my point about non-riders of motorcycles. You are prejudiced against us.

Any real biker knows that no motorcycle rider, can control a motorcycle on a patch of unexpected gravel at speed or in a turn.

So I am a vulture for helping people who were injured due to the negligence of another? I think not. Would you call a vulture like me if someone plowed into your car and injured you and your family, I think so.

A vulture is an animal that scavenges dead animals to survive.

My clients who get injured due to no fault of their own call me for help when they need it. Your Vulture analogy is way off base.

Norm

By: sea

sea — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 22:46:05 +0000

I love this blog

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

In other words, you are one of the attorneys that gives all of them a bad name. I actually came to your blog to see what types of things you had to say, but this actually makes me sick. Suing someone because the rider on the motorcycle can’t handle gravel? Then he shouldn’t have been on it! Can you get a settlement for your client? Probably. Should you be able to? Hell no! Sorry, but you appear to be a vulture…