Free Consultations 24/7 (503) 272-8986 Toll Free (855) 503-5035
Request Free Consultation

Portland Road Hazards Motorcyclists Should Look Out For

Posted on August 19, 2022 in

Road hazards contribute to many motorcycle accidents in Portland, Oregon. While debris, uneven surfaces, and other defects may have little impact on a motor vehicle, a motorcycle can easily crash when it encounters these hazards.

While you are riding a motorcycle in Portland, it is important to keep an eye out for common road hazards. Loose gravel, slick surfaces, potholes, and more can lead to devastating and fatal injuries. 

Slippery Surfaces

Street surfaces can become slippery due to rain, ice, mud, and snow, as well as oil spills and other hazards on the road. While wet conditions can pose a risk to cars as well, motorcyclists can easily lose control of their bikes when they encounter slick surfaces.

Avoid riding a motorcycle in wet or slippery conditions as often as possible. If you need to ride in wet weather, drive as slowly as possible. Be especially careful when driving after a dry spell; the first rain can cause oil and other slick materials to rise to the surface of the road, making the street extra slick.

Loose Gravel, Sand, and Other Debris

Loose debris on the road can cause a motorcycle to spin out of control. It is important to keep an eye out for gravel, sand, and other debris that could cause an uneven road surface. If you encounter a hazard, reduce your speed and try to find a way around the hazard.

Potholes

Potholes are a major problem in several cities, including Portland. These holes develop when the road erodes to a point where a sizable depression develops. These deep cavities are formed in the road due to natural erosion as well as wear and tear. While a car can drive over most potholes without an issue, a two-wheeled motorcycle can become stuck or thrown off balance.

It is easy for a pothole to throw a two-wheeled motorcycle off balance. If you encounter a pothole, avoid driving directly over the pothole at a regular speed. Make sure to slow down and safely avoid it to the best of your ability.

Rough and Uneven Roads

Uneven road surfaces are another major hazard for motorcyclists. Cracks in the pavement can cause a normally flat road to become uneven. Events like roadway construction and maintenance can also lead to uneven surfaces, as does normal wear and tear. As a motorcyclist, it is important to keep an eye out for uneven surfaces and proceed carefully when you encounter a rough patch.

Roads and bumpy roads can occur due to construction debris, poor construction, and poor maintenance and upkeep. Uneven surfaces can cause serious motorcycle accidents, so these roads can be extremely dangerous for motorcyclists. Avoid riding on rough and uneven surfaces as often as possible; try to find a safer alternative route.

Expansion and Open Bridge Joints

On the road, you may encounter expansion joints, which hold two sections of a road together or connect a bridge to a road. You may also encounter an open bridge joint, which connects sections of a bridge. These joints can make the surface of the road uneven, posing a serious risk to motorcyclists. If you encounter these hazards, be alert and try to navigate around them. 

Edge Breaks, Bridge Joints, and Railroad Tracks

Breaks and joints on the road can also lead to an uneven surface for motorcyclists, leading to serious accidents. Below are some of the most common:

  • Edge Breaks: These breaks occur when two traffic lanes are at different heights, often found on freeways. The sudden change in height can cause a motorcyclist to crash.
  • Expansion Joints: These joints are used to connect two sections of a road or to connect a road to a bridge. Like edge breaks, these joints can create bumps that can cause an accident.
  • Open Bridge Joints: These joints are used to hold sections of a bridge together. Open bridge joints are often very wide and difficult to navigate.

Railroad Tracks: Railroad tracks and crossings can be difficult for motorcyclists to cross, containing many crevices that are easy to get stuck in.

Injured in a Motorcycle Accident? Speak to an Attorney

Government agencies have a responsibility to ensure that Portland roads are safe and free from defects. If you are injured by a road hazard, you have the right to pursue financial compensation by filing a claim against the appropriate agency. However, claims against the government follow a different set of rules than other injury claims.

In these situations, it is important to consult with an attorney. Your lawyer will have significant experience representing plaintiffs in cases against the government and will work tirelessly to secure the compensation that you deserve. As soon as possible following the accident, contact a Portland motorcycle accident lawyer to discuss your legal options.

Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Portland, OR – Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers

If you were injured in an accident in Portland, OR, please contact our Portland motorcycle accident lawyers at Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today. We serve all Portland neighborhoods and all throughout Multnomah County.

Tillmann Law Personal Injury Lawyers
101 SW Main St. #1905
Portland, OR, 97204
(503) 272-8986
Open 24/7

Justin Vieth
Justin Vieth
1692118893
Shimmeri Selph
Shimmeri Selph
1691385552
Don't waste your time.
Alan Rogers
Alan Rogers
1691175931
Thanks Aaron, we truly appreciate everything you have done for us.I know that I was a handful early on, but you handled it with a deft touch and ultimately proved yourself to be a great advocate for our family none the less.Thanks so much Bud!You have my eternal respect and gratitude.
Tim Cheredayko
Tim Cheredayko
1689376069
Tillmann helped me out a lot! Going over ever detail with the case from both sides and always informing me what is going to happen through out the case. Definitely recommend Tillmann Law!
A B
A B
1689034229
Rude. Classist. The receptionist needs some manners. Actually hung up when told was a low income family.
Justin W
Justin W
1688167505
I had the pleasure of working with Aaron and his team over the course of the last year. They were very professional and responsive. Dealing with injuries can be dreadful, but Aaron made it as painless as possible. I highly recommend.
Bonnie Thorn
Bonnie Thorn
1686939262
Aaron Tillmann and his entire staff were professional, empathetic and very knowledgeable. They assisted our family at a time when we were grieving the loss of our son with compassion and respect.
Tina Rutledge
Tina Rutledge
1683316276
Arisbet Bustos
Arisbet Bustos
1682535580
I am very grateful and pleased with the services of Lawyer Aaron and his team work, especially Julia, who was always attentive to my concerns and resolved my doubts with a good attitude and empathy, and best of all, she speaks Spanish. Thank you so much!!!
Ken Pollett
Ken Pollett
1682394554
I was involved in a serious auto accident. Not that there is a good time to be in any accident, it just happened to be 2020. Tillman Law and support staff kept me in the loop as the court system was disarray with all the Covid issues. The staff was very professional and courteous. In a nutshell, they took care of me.
Jordan Bedrick
Jordan Bedrick
1682367951
My husband was in a bad car accident a few years back, and he was stopped due to traffic. He was behind a fuel truck, and someone rear-ended him, going 60mph. The worst part was our 6 mo old was in our and the truck was totaled beyond repair and my husbands back injured severly he ended up with 2 broken vertebrae. Our child had ptsd any time getting into a vehicle after that. Tillman made this right even though we couldn't do much for our son other comfort him and make car rides more comfortable from there on out Tillman was able to get my husband the money he deserved after the other driver was extremely negligent and either not paying attention or on his phone or something unfortunately this was during covid and when the police came they didnt do a single thing to check for any of that. We can't say enough good things about Aaron Tillman he gave us our hope back and the ability to have back surgery to repair a lot of his back issues due to the car wreck. So if you have been in an accident definitely call Tillman Law they're amazing super professional, kind and empathetic beings who will work for the best possible outcome for your case and fight they won't just roll over and play dead they spent about 2.5 years on my husbands case never giving up. He was always super honest with my husband and always communicated everything. So again, thank you, Aaron Tillman, and thank you to your law firm for working so tirelessly. We appreciate it more than you know.
Cassie Kocker
Cassie Kocker
1679485024
Aaron is great. He is professional and personable which makes you feel cared about during the process. He will provide advice and resources so that the process is smooth and renders positive results. I highly recommend!
Michael Darling (Mike Rich)
Michael Darling (Mike Rich)
1678578656
Still working with them to this day! Great firm great people. Much recommend
Brittany Sloan
Brittany Sloan
1678128693
I can’t recommend Tillman Law enough. We were in a sticky situation from a car accident in December and my partner was out of work for over a month. Aaron told us we may not be able to get those lost wages, but he would definitely try to fight the insurance for them and even then we might not see the money for a long time. It’s only been 3 1/2 months since the accident and we just got our lost funds today. Tillman Law was quick, efficient, and made this entire situation much less painful. I appreciate everything they’ve done for us.
Hazel Ault
Hazel Ault
1676408436
Jennifer nelson
Jennifer nelson
1675127322
Great experience
Oksana Pavlenko
Oksana Pavlenko
1660939351
Really pleased with my experience at Tillmann Law. Mr. Tillmann and his team were on top of my case, worked hard to answer any questions I had and finished my case in a timely manner. I was really happy with the outcome . Thank you!
Robert Swanson
Robert Swanson
1659227101
Tucker Earp
Tucker Earp
1658161927
Linette Figueroa
Linette Figueroa
1634884433
Mr. Tillman took care of my care seamlessly! He immediately hopped on my case immediately and guided me through the entire process. His team is professional, organized and well-resourced! He even went back to ensure the settlement was beyond fair. If you want someone who will fight tooth and nail on your behalf- Mr. Tillman is your lawyer!
Robert Aley
Robert Aley
1634841379
I am so happy to promote Aaron and his team. They did such an amazing job handling my case. Call them if you need service. I called him when I first needed help with my accident and he called me back within five minutes. This team is so great! I am so happy to have worked with them.
Teresa Ochoa
Teresa Ochoa
1633214433
Mr. Tillmann and his paralegal Jason were fantastic to work with! They were always available to answer my questions in a timely manner and delivered a very good outcome after I was rear ended. I would recommend their services to anyone.
Roro Roro
Roro Roro
1631419364
Amazing team at the Tillman Law, LLC . His work speaks for it self. Thank you for being professional and above all understanding to different people. God bless everyone that works there .
Mercury Nightstone
Mercury Nightstone
1628733283
Aaron and his staff, especially Jason, were all extremely courteous, timely, and professional. Highly recommend, truly appreciate your hard work!
Danielle Martin
Danielle Martin
1627923620
The Tillman Law Firm is amazing! I have been very pleased with everyone that I came in contact with concerning my case. They filed the case against the insurance company and fought hard in litigation to get what rightfully was taken from me. I would highly recommend them, they are the best in the Portland metro area!
×
js_loader