As a motorcyclist, you know that navigating the road requires skill, vigilance, and a heightened awareness of your surroundings. But when highways, streets, and intersections are poorly maintained, littered with debris, or improperly designed, even the most cautious rider can fall victim to a serious accident. If you have been injured in an accident caused by poor road conditions, you may have grounds for legal action against the government.
Common Road Conditions That Cause Motorcycle Crashes
Unlike cars with four points of contact with the road, motorcycles rely on just two wheels for stability. This makes riders particularly vulnerable to losing control when they encounter even minor road defects that car drivers might not notice.
These conditions may include:
- Potholes and Uneven Pavement: Any depressions in the road surface can cause a motorcycle to lose traction. This can throw the rider off their bike and potentially into the road.
- Loose Gravel and Debris: Materials left on roadways create slippery conditions that can reduce tire grip, causing motorcycles to slide unexpectedly during turns or when braking.
- Inadequate Warning Signs: Sometimes, government agencies fail to properly mark construction zones, sharp curves, or upcoming hazards. This denies riders critical time to safely navigate dangerous sections of the road.
- Oil Spills and Slick Surfaces: These nearly invisible hazards reduce traction, especially when riders lean into turns. The sudden loss of grip often results in unavoidable accidents.
- Dangerous Road Design: Poorly designed curves, insufficient banking on turns, and inadequate drainage systems create hazardous conditions for motorcyclists. These design flaws can greatly compromise visibility and traction.
Liability for Poor Road Maintenance in Kansas City
In Kansas City, government agencies are responsible for keeping the road safe and well-maintained. When they fail to inspect, maintain, or repair dangerous conditions within a reasonable timeframe, they may be held liable for any resulting accidents and injuries.
You have the right to file a claim against the government entity responsible for the road where your accident occurred. This requires proving the agency knew or should have known about the dangerous condition and failed to address it properly.
The liable party will be whichever entity—city, county, or state—had jurisdiction over the road where your accident occurred. In some cases, private contractors hired for road maintenance or construction may share responsibility if their negligence contributed to the hazardous condition.
Time Limits for Claims Against Government Entities
Compared to claims filed against drivers, motorcycle accident cases that involve government entities involve stricter procedural requirements and much shorter deadlines:
- In Missouri, you must provide written notice of your claim to the appropriate government agency within 90 days of your injury.
- In Kansas, you must provide formal written notice to the municipal clerk or governing body within 120 days of the accident.
If you miss these deadlines, you will likely lose your right to recover compensation. It is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible; a specialized motorcycle accident lawyer in Kansas City can help you fulfill all procedural requirements and meet all applicable deadlines.
Let Our Firm Help with Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
Holding government entities or contractors accountable for poor road maintenance can be challenging. In these situations, trust a Kansas City personal injury attorney at Dollar, Burns, Becker, and Hershewe to step up to the plate.
With our deep legal knowledge and substantial resources, we know what it takes to recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us at (816) 876-2600 for a free case evaluation with our Kansas City motorcycle accident attorneys.