Dangers of Road Debris and Defects
Car accidents can be quite dangerous, and driver negligence is often the cause. However, poorly maintained roads can be just as dangerous, and accidents involving the dangers of road debris and defects can be just as life threatening as accidents involving other drivers. These risks are more common than many people realize. Rather than driver negligence, there is often negligence at the hands of the entity assigned to maintain the roadway. If you or someone you love has been harmed by a defect in the road or by debris on the road, consider contacting the experienced Atlanta car accident attorneys at Hall & Lampros, LLP, by calling (404) 876-8100 for a consultation.
Accidents Caused by Road Debris and Defects
Generally, car accidents can be very traumatic experiences, especially when they cause injuries to the driver or passengers. However, when they are caused by defects in the road or debris on the road that the driver can do nothing about and has no control over, they can be even more stressful. Some of the most common forms of road debris and defects that lead to car accidents include:
- Roads with insufficient lighting
- Roads with inadequate water drainage
- Roads with faded or missing line markings
- Roads with missing or improperly placed road signs
- Roads with shoulders that are too narrow, drop off, or are otherwise inadequate
- Roads that lack the necessary reflective markings
- Roads that have missing guardrails
- Roads that are inadequate to the task of maintaining safe traffic flow
- Roads that incorporate dangerous curves
- Roads that are cracked, crumbling, uneven, warped, or otherwise worn or damaged
- Roads that are covered with road construction hazards, including debris
- Roads that have insufficient warnings and safety instructions related to road construction
The Dangers of Debris
Accident victims often fail to realize that the dangers of road debris and defects, such as those listed above, are the result of negligence and that just compensation can be sought through car accident claims. While road defects receive more attention, road debris is exceptionally dangerous, and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shares the following statistics from a comprehensive study conducted over the three years from 2011 to 2014:
- Debris played a role in more than 50,500 annual accidents that were reported by the police
- These accidents lead to an average of 9,805 injuries each year and to an average of 125 fatalities
If you or a loved one has been injured due to the dangers of road debris and defects, the accomplished attorneys at Hall & Lampros, LLP, are here to help.
The At-Fault Party
When the accident is caused by road debris or defects, a government entity is generally involved. Our roadways are built and maintained by the cities, counties, or municipalities that are responsible for them. While you can file a car accident claim against a government entity, you should expect it to be even more challenging than the typical car accident claims that are based on the negligence of other drivers. To begin, the statute of limitations—the amount of time a person has to file a car accident claim—is abbreviated when the negligent party is a government entity. Consider the following timeframes:
- Those injured by road debris or a defect on a city road generally have about six months from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit
- Those injured by road debris or a defect on a state highway generally have about one year from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit
- Those injured by road debris or a defect on an interstate or another federal road have two years from the date of the accident to file an administrative claim. If the agency denies the claim, the accident victim has up to six months from the rejection date to file a lawsuit.
Contact an Experienced Atlanta Car Accident Attorney Today
If you have been harmed due to the dangers of road debris and defects, your claim is predicated on the negligence of a government entity, which makes your case more legally complex than the standard car accident due to driver negligence. The knowledgeable Atlanta car accident attorneys at Hall & Lampros, LLP, have a wealth of experience guiding clients through claims for compensation toward optimal outcomes that support the clients’ rights. If a defect in the road or debris on the road has left you injured, consider calling (404) 876-8100 today for more information and to schedule a consultation.
Chris has successfully represented numerous clients in catastrophic personal injury, employment law matters, class action, consumer protection, business tort, and legislative matters involving multi-million-dollar damages.