When we think of traffic accidents and collisions, we tend to think that the situation must have been caused by a driver that was reckless, distracted, or under the influence. However, unsafe roadway conditions are an underlying contributor to a number of accidents across the country. A poorly designed, ill-maintained, or naturally hazardous roadway can pose significant risks to even the most careful driver. In this article, we’re going to discuss some of potential hazards that can lead to unsafe road conditions.
- Ill-Maintained Roads: If a road is not actively monitored and maintained by qualified professionals, it may deteriorate to the point that it becomes an active hazard for drivers using it. A poorly maintained road can result in a number of problems, including potholes and cracks in the blacktop. In some instances, a driver that hits an unexpected pothole may lose control of their car. This can cause the vehicle to veer into another lane or oncoming traffic. The car can also blow a tire or break an axle, resulting in a major collision.
- Defective or Confusing Roadways: In other cases, a highway may be unusually dangerous due to an improperly maintained center barrier. When properly installed and maintained, a center barrier reduces the risk of drivers entering the opposing lanes of traffic. They are designed to redirect vehicles on impact, lessening the impact of a collision and protecting drivers on the opposite side of the road. If not kept in good collision, the barrier may fail and lead to a significant crash. Roads with hard-to-see lines or a lack of proper signage can also cause problems for drivers. Particularly on difficult or unfamiliar roadways, a lack of proper direction can lead to a collision.
- Poorly Designed Roads: Some roads are dangerous due to intrinsic design flaws or oversights. Poor design can take a number of different forms, including: sudden or sharp curves with low visibility, blind corners, poorly lit roads, overly crowded roadways, inefficient merges that cause bottlenecks, ineffective drainage systems, a lack of shoulders for emergency stops, and obstructions such as trees or utility poles. If a roadway has a history of significant dangers and accidents, there may be an underlying factor in its design that contributes to such issues.
- Unorganized Construction Zones: From time to time, it’s vital to repair, expand, or reconstruct sections of roadway. However, if a construction zone is poorly marked or traffic is directed in a confusing or inefficient manner, drivers can be at additional risk of an accident. Misleading signs and unpredictable changes to the roadway can substantially increase the chances of a crash. Additionally, construction vehicles can pose an unfamiliar risk to many drivers. Large trucks, bulldozers, excavators, and other heavy-duty vehicles may be present on or near the roadway in a construction zone.
Contact Rodriguez & Associates for Collisions Caused by Dangerous Roads
It can be challenging to prove that your collision was caused or influenced by a poorly maintained road. The skilled Bakersfield dangerous road lawyers at Rodriguez & Associates evaluate your accident to help determine whether:
- A public agency controlled or owner the road the accident occurred on
- The road involved was dangerous at the time of the accident
- A dangerous roadway condition directly influenced the collision
- The crash occurred in such a way that the public entity could have reasonably expected given the dangerous condition
- The dangerous roadway came about because of the public entity’s failure to mediate the risk to drivers
We’re prepared to support you through the legal process and provide the justice you and your loved ones deserve.