If you’re a motorist, it can be frustrating to see a bunch of grass clippings blown into the road – especially if you’re about to drive through them in your nice, clean car. Having a sticky, sodden mess stuck to the underside or doors of your vehicle is a major annoyance.
If you’re a motorcyclist, however, riding through a bunch of grass clippings can turn into a tragedy of epic proportions. Hitting that grass is akin to hitting ice – with equally disastrous results.
Why are grass clippings so dangerous?
To maintain balance, motorcycles need their wheels to maintain constant contact with the road, so good traction is essential. Grass clippings are about 80% to 85% water when they’re fresh, which means that they’re extremely slippery under pressure – and that issue can be compounded when the grass is dewy in the morning or there’s been any kind of precipitation.
Wet or dry, however, grass clippings on the road are a problem, and they’re a hazard that riders may not be able to spot until they’re already right in the middle of a patch. That can easily cause riders to spin out or otherwise lose control of their bike and end up in a serious wreck.
Is the property owner or holder responsible for a wreck caused by grass clippings?
Washington state law generally makes it illegal to blow grass clippings into a public road. That means you can hold the responsible party liable for a motorcycle wreck caused by their negligence, whether that’s a careless homeowner or business, a yard service that should have known better or a combination of the two.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle wreck due to grass clippings in the road or a loved one was killed in such an incident, it’s important to seek experienced legal guidance as you move forward.
