At first, it might sound ridiculous. How could something as ordinary as grass clippings possibly cause motorcycle accidents? However, anything that causes a motorcyclist to lose stability and grip on the roadway can be dangerous. When slippery materials such as thin layers of grass clippings come between motorcycle tires and the road, the loss of traction can have devastating consequences.
How Do Grass Clippings Contribute to Motorcycle Accidents?
Grass clippings are not typically an issue for cars, trucks, and other vehicles with four or more wheels. However, most motorcycles have just two wheels. This means motorcyclists need to keep both tires in contact with the pavement at all times to maintain control.
When some materials are on the roadway, they can create a barrier between a motorcycle’s tires and the pavement. Dry materials such as sand and gravel are hazardous enough. Sheets of wet, slippery materials such as grass clippings pose an even bigger risk.
Recently cut grass has a high water content, which means a thin layer of grass clippings can be as slick as ice to motorcycle tires. Motorcyclists who find unexpected patches of grass clippings on the road can suffer serious injuries if they don’t have enough time to slow down or change course, especially if their tires aren’t in great condition.
Recently, a woman tragically died in a motorcycle wreck involving grass clippings on the road. Cheryl Zeglen, 59, was riding with her husband and several other motorcyclists when the group came across some clippings on the roadway. When Zeglen’s husband began to lose control and slowed down, Cheryl crashed into him and was ejected from her own bike. She died of her injuries two days later.
Liability in Motorcycle Accidents Caused by Grass Clippings
Many homeowners and landscaping crews think nothing of sweeping or blowing grass clippings into the road after weekly lawn maintenance. However, leaving your grass clippings in the street could land you in legal trouble.
Although Georgia law does not explicitly reference lawn cuttings, you could be held responsible if your clippings contribute to a motorcycle wreck. If a motorcyclist is injured or killed in an accident involving your grass cuttings, they could seek to hold you liable in an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. 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.
Talk to an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Duluth, GA Today
If you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident in Duluth, GA, contact the trusted legal team at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC. We can address your concerns and evaluate the strength of your claim in a free initial case review with one of our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys.
