Roads are supposed to be designed and maintained with safety in mind, but their construction and/or maintenance can sometimes be so hazardous that they put drivers, passengers and pedestrians at risk.
When these hazards lead to crashes, the injuries that victims sustain can be serious. When this kind of preventable harm occurs, crash victims may be in a strong position to sue those responsible for their suffering.
1. Inadequate signage
One frequent hazard that impacts roadway safety is poor signage. Signs that are missing, hidden by trees or confusing can lead drivers to make unsafe turns or miss important warnings. For example, a missing stop sign at an intersection may result in a collision that could have been prevented with proper maintenance.
2. Poor lighting
Lack of lighting is another major risk, especially on rural roads and at intersections. Without adequate lighting, it is harder for drivers to see pedestrians, cyclists or obstacles in time to react. Accidents caused by inadequate lighting are often preventable and may be linked to failures in municipal planning or upkeep.
3. Bad guardrails
Faulty guardrails can also turn minor incidents into catastrophic ones. Guardrails are meant to absorb impact and prevent vehicles from veering off the roadway, but when they are damaged, improperly installed or poorly designed, they can cause greater harm. Instead of stopping a crash, they may make it worse.
4. Faulty infrastructure
Uneven or damaged pavement is another danger. Potholes, crumbling shoulders and poorly maintained surfaces can cause drivers to lose control, especially motorcyclists and bicyclists. These hazards can often be traced back to delayed repairs or inadequate inspections by road authorities.
5. Construction zones
Construction zones can also be hazardous when they are not properly managed. Inadequate warning signs, abrupt lane changes, or misplaced barriers can create confusion and lead to serious crashes. There are things that motorists can do to stay safer in construction zones, but when these areas present dangers beyond a motorist’s control, any harm that results from traveling through them may provide crash victims with grounds to sue those who should have kept these areas reasonably safe.
Did road hazards lead to a car wreck? Hicks & Funfsinn Kentucky Lawyers offers honest guidance and fearless advocacy from attorneys, not case managers, with 50+ years of combined experience and insight as former insurance defense lawyers. Free consultation. We meet clients across Kentucky. Call 859.286.7840 or contact us online. Hablamos español.
Opportunities for legal recourse when hazards cause harm
When accidents occur because of these types of hazards, injured parties may have legal options available to them. Cities, counties, contractors and/or private companies responsible for road design and maintenance can be held liable if negligence played a role in any particular crash. Drivers cannot control for every hazard, but they can seek justice when unsafe conditions cause harm.
