5 Common Fall Season Hazards that Cause Motorcycle Accidents

Categories: Vehicle Accidents

Motorcycle Accidents

Accident and Injury Lawyer Serving Victims of Motorcycle Accidents Across Western Colorado

Fall is a great time to get out and enjoy the open road on a motorcycle. The wind is crisp, the weather somewhat favorable, and you can still avoid morning rush hour by choosing two wheels over four. However, fall is also a time of year where motorcycle accidents increase in number.

Specific hazards in the fall increase the likelihood of an accident. By knowing what those hazards are, you could potentially avoid a serious accident.

What are the Biggest Hazards for Motorcycle Riders in the Fall?

Particular hazards are more common in the fall than other times of the year, which is why the number of accidents increases. These risks include:

  • Leaves on the road. Fall colors and leaves shedding from the trees is one of the highlights of the season. Unfortunately, those leaves scattered along the roadway are a hazard for riders. These leaves become slick, muddy, and can cause your bike to lose control and crash. If you see a heavy concentration of leaves on the ground, do your best to maneuver around them.
  • School traffic increases. Fall is a back-to-school season too, which means more vehicles are on the road, and more parents and teens are rushing to make the final bell in time. Often, this morning rush means fewer motorists are looking out for riders.
  • Rainfall. Rainstorms also increase in the fall season. Rain and motorcycles never mix, especially during those first few drops when water mixes with oil on the road and makes the surfaces extra slippery. Check the weather before you head out on those fall days for a ride. Make sure the weather does not predict any rainfall at the times you know you will be on your bike.
  • Road construction and debris. Fall brings out more road construction as the city hurries to finish up roadway projects before winter. Unfortunately, the debris caused by construction and the potholes and uneven surfaces created in the process make for a dangerous ride when you have only two wheels. If you see construction ahead, try taking a detour or proceed with caution.
  • Ice on the road in the morning. Temperatures start to drop dramatically overnight and into the early morning hours, and the closer fall heads into winter, the more likely you are to see ice on the roadway. If you ride your bike in the morning, be cautious about the ice traps, including under overpasses, on offramps and onramps, and around curves.

Injured in a Motorcycle Accident? You May Have a Claim

You could be the safest rider out there, but that does not mean you will never experience an accident. Those sharing the roadway with you may be less cautious or aware of their surroundings. Often motorcycles are involved in serious accidents with motor vehicles because the driver is not paying attention.

When a tragic motorcycle accident occurs, turn to a personal injury advocate. An attorney, like Mark S. Rubinstein, P.C. can assist you with your case against the negligent driver. After all, you did not cause the accident so why should you pay for the damages?

Schedule a consultation now with attorney Rubinstein by calling him at 970-704-0888 or request your appointment online.

Mark Rubinstein

Attorney Mark S. Rubinstein has been practicing law for more than 30 years, including 25 years in Colorado. He founded Mark S. Rubinstein, P.C., in Carbondale after working for law firms in Denver and earlier in his career in San Diego. He focuses his practice in the areas of criminal defense and personal injury representation, and he is well known throughout western Colorado as an effective and unwavering advocate for his clients.