More traffic crashes than you might think are caused by road hazards that are not within the driver’s control. Critical reasons for motor vehicle accidents were investigated in a large study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Researchers found that two percent of accidents could be attributed to environmental factors. In addition to inclement weather, these factors include:
- Ice, loose debris, etc. (26,000 crashes)
- Glare (9,000 crashes)
- View obstructions (6,000 crashes)
- Issues with signs and signals (1,000 crashes)
- Road design problems (1,000 crashes)
- Other highway-related conditions (5,000 crashes)
What Are the Obligations of City and Government Agencies?
Government agencies are normally responsible for maintaining roadways and repairing defects in the road. Responsibility for road safety is shared among federal, state, and local agencies. Proper road maintenance includes paving roadways, setting up guardrails, filling in potholes, and removing snow and ice, in addition to other obligations. How well the roads are maintained in a particular area may depend on budgeting and other factors.
What Dangerous Road Conditions Can Result from Poor Maintenance?
Roads may have defects that cause accidents due to faulty design or construction or because of poor maintenance. When responsible parties do not properly maintain the roads, hazards can result, including:
- Potholes
- Cracked pavement
- Debris or gravel
- Broken or missing guardrails
- Fallen trees or limbs
- Missing manhole covers
- Improper or inadequate signage
- Malfunctioning or missing traffic signals
- Missing, inadequate, or malfunctioning lighting
- Inadequate or improper lane markings
- View obstructions
Who Is Liable for Accidents Caused by Poor Road Conditions?
Determining liability for a catastrophic injury or wrongful death can be complicated. Although the government entity responsible for maintaining the road where your crash occurred may be responsible, there may be other liable parties, such as private companies (engineers or contractors) that were hired by the government. If the crash occurred on a private road, the property owner may be liable for your injuries.
Your best chance of recovering full compensation for serious injuries is to have an experienced attorney handling your case. Our New York dangerous roadway accident lawyers will investigate your accident to determine fault and liability. We will collect and preserve evidence to support your claim, build a strong case based on the facts, assess the full extent of your damages, negotiate skillfully with the other side on your behalf, and fight for the compensation you deserve in court if necessary.
Were You Seriously Injured Due To Unsafe Road Conditions in New York?
The experienced NY car accident attorneys at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP have been getting justice for people in New York City for over 50 years. In fact, we have won over $1 billion for our clients.
We have been recognized by the independent rating agency Super Lawyers for providing our clients with outstanding service, and our personal injury attorneys have been awarded membership to the Top 25 Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers Association.
Reach out to us at (212) 986-7353 to schedule a FREE consultation today.