Even an experienced rider can find it challenging to operate a motorcycle on wet roads. Summer rain showers in Maryland may be short, but they can quickly turn roads into slick surfaces. Just a little water on the road can reduce traction. Riders need to be aware of the dangers of wet roads and what they can do to reduce the risk of a motorcycle accident caused by wet roads.
Why are Wet Roads Dangerous?
Just a small patch of wet, slick road can create hazardous conditions for motorcyclists. Wet riding conditions increase risks for riders in several ways. Slick roads result in reduced traction and increased braking distance. Rain can decrease visibility and obscure obstacles. Lightening is another risk of riding during rainstorms.
The best way to avoid hazards caused by wet conditions is to avoid riding during and immediately after periods of rain. If you must ride on wet roads, the following motorcycle safety tips for wet surfaces may help you avoid a devastating motorcycle accident.
Always Check Motorcycle Tires Before Rides
Under-inflated or worn tires reduce traction, especially when roads are slick. Before riding, always check the tires for worn tread, damage, and proper inflation. You should also check your brake pads routinely to ensure there is enough material to help you stop safely on wet surfaces.
Avoid Sudden Movements
Accelerating and braking too quickly can cause you to lose control of your motorcycle on wet roads. Sudden changes in steering can also be dangerous on slick roads. Using engine braking when possible can help you slow down safely on wet roads. Remaining alert and watching for potential hazards can help you avoid sudden braking. Allowing more distance between you and vehicles in front of you also gives you additional time to stop. Wet surfaces increase the stopping distance for all vehicles, including motorcycles.
Ride on Dry Lines
A vehicle’s tires push water away from the road for a short time, thereby leaving the road a bit drier. Riding in a vehicle’s tire tracks can give you additional traction on wet roads. However, riding in the dry lines does not guarantee that you will not lose control of your motorcycle because of slick spots.
Also, avoid driving through puddles or standing water when riding in dry line. Puddles and standing water can hide a pothole or other road condition that could cause you to wreck. Be cautious of dry lines that are along the painted lines or surfaces of the road. These areas can be very slick, even if they are in a dry line.
Remain Alert for Slick Surfaces
Motorcyclists need to avoid distractions while riding, especially when the roads are wet. You need to look for additional hazards that can become slicker when wet, including painted surfaces, railroad tracks, metal plates, and utility hole covers. If you encounter these surfaces, do not make any sudden changes in steering, braking, or acceleration.
Consider Taking a Break
If you are caught in a summer rainstorm while riding your motorcycle, you may want to consider taking a break. Rainstorms make surfaces slicker, but they also reduce your visibility and the visibility of other drivers. A heavy rainstorm could make it nearly impossible for another driver to see your motorcycle. It could also make it difficult for you to see obstacles and hazards on the road ahead.
If you do take a break, remember that road surfaces can remain slick after the storm ends. Also, some patches of road may remain wet even though other areas of the road appear dry. For instance, areas of road protected by overpasses and heavy tree branches could take longer to dry and have standing water long after the rainstorm ends.
Filing an Accident Claim Involving Poor Weather Conditions
Even though weather conditions may have been a factor in the cause of a motorcycle accident, the weather may not be the only contributing factor. In many cases, the driver who caused the accident was driving too fast for conditions, following too closely, or was distracted at the time of the crash. If the other driver’s action contributed in any way to the case of the accident, the motorcyclist might be entitled to compensation for injuries and damages.
It is difficult to know exactly how an accident occurred until a full accident investigation is completed. A Maryland motorcycle accident attorney can perform an independent investigation to determine the cause of the crash and identify any parties that might be liable for damages.
Before you speak with an insurance company or assume you cannot recover compensation for your motorcycle crash, talk to a member of the Pinder Plotkin legal team. Get all the facts about filing an injury claim from a trusted source before you talk to the claims adjuster.
Contact a Maryland Motorcycle Accident Attorney for More Information
The facts and circumstances of a motorcycle accident can make it difficult to know what your legal rights may be related to an injury claim. Let our attorneys explain your legal rights and how we can help you seek compensation for your injuries.
Call Pinder Plotkin now at 410-661-9440 for a FREE consultation with a motorcycle accident attorney in Maryland.
