Published: Jun. But what about motorcycles? "It happens in a split second. 0 of 400 max characters U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, Marine Corps Safety and Force Preservation. Bikes arent as stable as cars, and rides often lack the protection a car driver has. While there isnt a specific regulation regarding negligent disposal of grass clippings near roads in Iowa, some degree of liability can apply in case of an accident. Required fields are marked *. Wet grass clippings after light showers can make things even worse. But even though some states do not explicitly prohibit it, common sense should tell that lane splitting is usually a bad idea. A total of That means litigation could If you have been hurt, or have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident caused by grass clippings in the street, contact TorkLaw. The impact caused him to lose control of his motorcycle and crash. Knowingly Free Case Consultations. Do You Know a Motorcyclist Who Was Injured or Killed Due to Grass Clippings Deposited in the Road? Motorcycles are equipped with tires that have a good amount of tread on them, which helps to grip the road and prevent slipping. Most accidents occur on short trips, usually at the very beginning. These actions can also put the biker at risk. Illinois imposed a $1,500 fine as the standard state penalty for people who commit grass clipping littering for first time offenders. In summer months, lawn trimmings can be as While nothing can guarantee you safety, your odds of surviving a crash are much higher when you wear adequate riding gear. Many municipalities have ordinances against this as well. Vehicle miles traveled - USDOT, Federal Highway Administration, revised by NHTSA; Registered passenger cars and light trucks - R.L. First, when grass is wet, it can be very slippery and can cause the motorcycle to lose traction and skid. Our motorcycle accident attorneys will discuss your case, for free, over the phone or in person. In 2021, there were 8,648 motorcycle crashes in Florida, according to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), with 620 fatalities as a result. Grass Clippings. This meme has been making the rounds on social media, and we have to say, its pretty funny! Motorcycle deaths Includes pickups, vans, truck-based station wagons and utility vehicles. In addition, if you leave a large amount of grass clippings in the street, and a motorcyclist is injured or killed, you could be cited, as was Canton, Illinois man accused of causing the accident that killed Cheryl Zeglen. Determining liability in these situations can be complex. On June 8, 2019, a motorcyclist was killed on Illinois County Highway Route 6 when riding with her husband and a group of other riders. Additionally, most motorcycle riders are experienced and know how to control their bikes in order to avoid slipping. Although there motorcyclist to lose traction. Potholes, cracked pavement, and other hazards can cause serious accidents. Contact Steelhorse Law to learn more. Motorcycles are by their nature far less crashworthy than closed vehicles. The industry is growing as riders enjoy the sense of freedom riding different bikes for various purposes. Only 2% of all motorcycle accidents are caused by roadway damage, potholes, and pavement ridges. Cass County Highway Department Superintendent Jeff Smith agreed, saying grass clippings can cause multiple issues. * Law Tigers is a national association of independent law firms in various states that represent motorcycle riders. "@type": "Answer", In order to prevent accidents and save lives, it is crucial to shed light on this seemingly minor concern. Riding through wet grass makes your tires slippery Because grass has such low traction compared to mud your tires will not easily spin out if you ride through it slowly, but wet grass can cause even a motorcyclist with top-notch skills to lose control. Speeding Riding while under the influence of alcohol Sudden turns and lane changes Reckless driving Lane splitting. Instead of throwing away these fresh clumps of grass, they can serve as food to livestock. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, some 58% of motorcyclist deaths in 2017 occurred in the period from May to September. In a few states there are laws against blowing your grass a military veteran who was badly injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another driver who crossed the center line and crashed into the . Lack of attention is still one of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents. area of law most applicable to this particular hazard. In 2013, an Illinois man who left grass clippings on the road faced accusations of causing a motorcycle accident. IsItBullshit: Grass clippings on the road cause motorcyclists to lose control It's something that's been making the rounds of Facebook - that people shouldn't mow their lawns in such a way that the grass clippings get onto the roads since it can cause motorcyclists to lose control and crash. Motorcyclist Fatalities And Fatality Rates, 2011-2020, Motorcyclist Injuries And Injury Rates, 2011-2020, Occupant Fatality Rates By Vehicle Type, 2011 And 2020, Motorcyclists Killed, by Time of Day and Day of Week, 2020, Vehicles Involved In Fatal Crashes By Vehicle Type, 2011 And 2020, Persons Killed In Total And Alcohol-Impaired Crashes By Person Type, 2020, Drivers In Fatal Crashes By Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) And Vehicle Type, 2011-2020 (1), Rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. And finally, speeding and alcohol use are both major contributing factors to motorcycle accidents. Another report from NHTSA stated that in 2016, 27% of motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes did not have a valid license. Please sign in to access member exclusive content. These clippings create an extra layer between the motorcycle tire and the road. increase in 1998 and continued to increase through 2008. But while fatalities have decreased, the number of injuries has increased. Many homeowners and landscapers stand guilty of allowing grass clippings to make their way onto the road at some point while mowing our lawns. The short answer is absolutely. Less than 10% of motorcyclists involved in accidents had any insurance. When grass clippings decompose, they release nutrients that can pollute waterways. You could also be sued, as was this person, who is accused of causing a similar accident in 2013. And an estimated 84,000 motorcyclists were injured in accidents that year. One is that motorcycles are less visible than other vehicles on the road, making them more likely to be involved in a collision. It is important to emphasize how much damage leftover grass clippings can inflict on motorcyclists. Washington State Green Litter Law For one, it ensures a healthier lawn because the clippings act as a nutrient-rich fertilizer for your lawn. The problem then becomes how do we identify these spots as dangers before we ride through them? The study found that over 50% of all motorcycle accidents are caused by grass clippings, and that the majority of these accidents occur during the summer months. On the other hand, suburban and rural regions more commonly house big green yards and dirt roads, which pose a risk for two-wheel vehicles. Grass is 85 percent water. Full-face helmets are still the most protective type, significantly reducing face injuries. surfaces. Severe traumatic brain injuries are the leading cause of death in motorcycle accidents. Because we care about our riders and offer as much protection as possible, SteelHorse Law has put together our Riders Advantage Card so you can take advantage of the protections we offer for free. Motorcycle accidents can be caused by a host of varied circumstances. However, the fatality rate among motorcycle riders remains significantly higher than that of vehicle drivers. }, Your email address will not be published. About 80% of reported motorcycle accidents result in injury or death. If you dont like grass clippings on your lawn, there are lots of alternate uses or ways to dispose of them than leaving an unsightly and dangerous sheet of clippings in the street. If you find yourself in a situation where your motorcycle starts to slip on grass clippings, the best thing to do is slow down and carefully ride until you reach a safe area. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 4,985 motorcycle riders killed in traffic crashes in 2018. Motorcyclists who wear safety clothing are less likely to require hospital help. In the state of And always ride with caution even if the roads are clear, other hazards like potholes or animals could surprise you at any moment. a danger by authorities as gravel, sand, or other substances that can cause a Grass clippings do cause motorcycle accidents in Charlotte. I hope you understand. Composting and recycling are also great ideas. (1) Includes motorcyclists killed on unknown day of week. Motorcyclist deaths had been declining since the early 1980s but began to Even though we can't say exactly how many motorcycle accidents result from grass in the road, we know that grass is a true threat to motorcyclists' safety. This is entirely fair. Pankey was ticketed for violation of 415 ILCS 105-4 under the Litter Control Act for mowing his grass clippings directly onto the road and covering an 1/8 to 1/4 of a mile of the roadway with grass. (1) Based on surveys of motorcyclists using helmets meeting Department of Transportation standards. Mississippi has the most fatal motorcycle accidents, followed by Texas and South Carolina. Fill out the online form or call 281-347-3247 to schedule a consultation. This is because they are extremely slippery, even when theyre dry. } If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident due to grass clippings or another person's carelessness, make sure to contact Ryan Montgomery today. Fuel leakage happens in 62% of accidents in the post-crash phase. "@type": "Answer", And finally, they should always obey the speed limit and never ride while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Wearing armored riding boots reduces the chance of open-wound injuries by as much as 90%, as shown in a study by the Marine Corps Safety and Force Preservation. You can also use alternative disposal methods if you prefer keeping your lawn free of grass clippings. |. They may slow down, switch lanes, or cross over a double yellow line to avoid grass clippings. Electric motorcycles are becoming more popular as the more sustainable way of enjoying riding. } Riders may suddenly find themselves at risk as Please share it with friends on social media. If a motorcycle hits a patch of grass clippings, it can cause the rider to lose control and crash. 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