The short answer is absolutely. Grass clippings do cause motorcycle accidents in Charlotte.
Grass clippings in the roadway can be a real danger for motorcyclists anywhere, not just in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Unfortunately, North Carolina does not have a state-wide statute to deal with the issue of grass clippings in the roadway. However, individual towns and counties may have ordinances that address grass clippings in the street or something similar that can be argued about litter or debris in the roadway. That is why it is essential to have an experienced personal injury attorney like the ones at the Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, P.C., if you are injured while riding your motorcycle due to grass clippings in the roadway.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) recognizes that a motorcyclists’ safety risk increases on slippery surfaces, such as wet pavement, gravel, sand, ice, etc. However, the Motorcyclists’ Handbook, put out by the NCDOT, seems to put the onus of this risk on the motorcyclists themselves instead. It recommends riders use the SEE approach to driving: Search, Evaluate and Execute.
Search for hazardous road conditions: grass clippings would undoubtedly fall into this category.
Evaluate road and surface characteristics: again, grass clippings would potentially create a hazardous road surface for motorcyclists.
Execute your decision/plan based on the above, including stopping or slowing.
Suppose you are driving along on your motorcycle down Beatties Ford Road in Charlotte, North Carolina, and are injured after encountering grass clippings in the roadway. Be sure to contact an experienced personal injury attorney like the ones at the Law Offices of Jason E. Taylor, P.C., as soon as possible to see if we can help.
