Riding a motorcycle is exhilarating, but it also comes with dangers. Enjoying the outdoors at high speeds increases a cyclist’s risk of injury, especially if there are road or environmental hazards. Dangerous conditions such as potholes exist all year, but hazards increase when winter arrives, particularly on bridges. If you are in a motorcycle or car accident, contact a personal injury attorney for help.

What Motorcyclists Should Know About Bridges in the Winter

Bridges have unique factors that all motorists should consider when planning their travel plans. Below are four things to know about bridges when ice forms on them:

Bridges Freeze First

Overpasses and bridges form ice quickly and faster than other stretches of road. They are exposed to the cold air both above and below, which allows ice to form quickly. In fact, the initial glaze of ice also referred to as “black ice,” forms fast, but it is deceiving because the road appears clear when it is actually very slick. Any time there is moisture on a bridge or overpass, and the air is cold, ice can form. This can shock motorists when they hit an icy patch and lose control of their vehicle, which is devastating for motorcyclists.

Bridges are Confined Space

Bridges typically do not have shoulders or safe places to pull off the roadway. Once a cyclist starts sliding on the icy bridge, there is nowhere safe to go. When you do not have space to maneuver around the ice, the chance of having a collision with other vehicles or the concrete or steal sides of the bridge are significantly increased.

Bridge Surface May Be Icier than Asphalt

Metal conducts heat efficiently, but this trait also allows it to lose warmth quickly when temperatures begin to fall. If a bridge is made of metal, it will freeze quicker than other roadway surfaces made out of asphalt. Additionally, metal has a smooth surface, and it does not absorb moisture, so water spreads across it and freezes quickly.

Similarly, concrete also loses heat faster than asphalt, but not as quickly as metal. Concrete is also not porous and allows moisture to collect on its surface. As a result, concrete bridges can create hazardous icy conditions for motorcyclists.

Icy Bridges are Dangerous

The above conditions create danger for not only motorcyclists but also for all drivers. This creates a hazardous environment for all drivers. Icy roads can cause one driver to lose control and crash into numerous other drivers. If you are in a multi-vehicle collision on an icy bridge or overpass, the issue of liability can be complicated. Working with an experienced auto accident attorney is critical in this scenario.

Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney for Guidance

Filing a personal injury claim can be stressful, time-consuming, and difficult to navigate without help. Although the above steps provide a guide, an attorney can assist you with each step. Schedule a consultation with an injury lawyer to discuss your case and learn your options for recovering the compensation you deserve.

If you were injured because of someone’s negligence, our personal injury attorney aggressively represents clients in slip, trip, and fall injury cases. At Babbit, Mitchell & Ogle Law Firm, our OKC personal injury lawyers work individually with each of our clients to address specific needs that each client has in their respective case. Helping our clients with various issues related to their cases is what eliminates the stress for our clients and helps them return to their everyday lives. Our firm’s focus is to make sure that all our client’s needs are met and that each of our clients is adequately compensated for their loss, pain, and suffering. Contact us today!