Two motorcyclists – Bryan Mucke, 56, and Deborah Mucke, 52, sustained serious personal injuries after their motorcycles ran over tire debris on the roadway and crashed in Patterson. According to a news report in the Patterson Irrigator, the motorcyclists were traveling south on the 5 Freeway the afternoon of June 30, 2010, when they struck tire tread that had likely come off a tractor trailer tire. Both were transported to a local hospital with major injuries. They are expected to survive.

My heart goes out to Bryan and Deborah Mucke. I hope they have not sustained catastrophic injuries and pray for their speedy and complete recovery.

Motorcycle Accidents

According to California Highway Patrol's 2008 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were 10 fatalities and 137 injuries involving motorcycle accidents in Stanislaus County. Also countywide, car accidents claimed 45 lives and injured 2,583 people during the same year.

The Law Relating to Roadway Debris

Under California law, it is illegal to drop any type of debris other than water or bird feathers on the roadway. California Vehicle Code section 23112 (a) states: "No person shall throw or deposit, nor shall the registered owner or the driver, if such owner is not then present in the vehicle, aid or abet in the throwing or depositing upon any highway any bottle, can, garbage, glass, nail, offal, paper, wire, any substance likely to injure or damage traffic using the highway, or any noisome, nauseous, or offensive matter of any kind."

Based on this news report, it appears that tire tread from a tractor-trailer dropped on to the roadway causing these motorcyclists to lose control and get seriously injured. In this particular case, if it is determined that the tractor-trailer driver caused this accident by failing to notify authorities about the dropped debris, then the driver as well as his or her employer, the trucking company, could be held liable.

Claim for Compensation

Injured victims in such cases could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of earnings, cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. Victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced Modesto personal injury lawyer, who will examine all aspects of the accident and make sure that the negligent parties are held accountable for their actions. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free and comprehensive consultation to injured victims and their families.

Have you encountered or been injured by debris on the roadway? We would like to hear about your experiences.

The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.

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