Dangerous Road Conditions Accident Causes
Dangerous road conditions can cause accidents in many ways. These include:
- Damaged roads
- Dangerous road design
- A lack of road maintenance
- Hazards in the road
- Inclement weather, making it more difficult to drive
If you suffered injuries in an accident caused by dangerous road conditions, you might have legal options. The municipality responsible for maintaining the road, another driver, or another negligent party may be liable for your damages.
A personal injury lawyer from our firm can help you identify the liable party or parties in your case and fight for compensation on your behalf.
How Do Bad Roads Cause Accidents?
Bad roads can lead to accidents if they are damaged, designed poorly, or poorly maintained.
Damaged roads
Examples of damaged roads include:
- Potholes
- Cracked or crumbling pavement
- Bumps or divots in the road
These unsafe road conditions could cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle and crash.
Dangerous road design and maintenance
Examples of dangerous road design and maintenance include:
- Lanes that are not properly labeled
- Uneven lane heights
- Lack of guardrails or shoulders
- Broken traffic signals or streetlights
- Traffic signs that are missing, difficult to see, or incorrect
Dangerous road design and maintenance can cause accidents even when drivers pay attention and follow the cues of traffic signs and signals. Because most drivers assume that the roads they are using are safe, these accidents can be hard to anticipate and prevent.
A Municipality May owe you Compensation
If poor road conditions caused your accident, your personal injury claim might go against the municipality responsible for maintaining the road.
It’s important to note that special laws apply to personal injury cases against government agencies in Florida. For example, Florida Statutes § 768.28 gives you three years to file a personal injury lawsuit against a municipality.
A municipality may Also be Liable for Road Construction Accidents
Roadside construction sites can also create dangerous road conditions, including:
- Unclear changes in lanes
- Spilled materials in the roadway
- Construction vehicles entering the roadway
A municipality may also be responsible for these types of accidents.
Another driver may owe you compensation
Inclement weather is another type of dangerous road condition. Drivers must lower their speeds and use caution when weather such as heavy rain, fog, or storms reduces visibility and makes it difficult to drive. If drivers aren’t safe in inclement weather, they may be responsible for the accidents they cause.
The driver may be responsible for spilled cargo accidents
Drivers must secure cargo they are transporting inside or on top of their vehicle. If a driver’s cargo comes loose (e.g., a mattress or a kayak) and enters the roadway, it can cause a severe accident.
The Damages You May Recover in a Car Accident Case
In a successful personal injury case, you may be able to recover compensation for your case:
- Medical treatment costs
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Car repair costs
- Car replacement costs
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
- Other non-economic damages
How a Lawyer From Our Firm Can Help You
When you work with a car accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale from our firm, we can help you by:
- Taking over all of the legal work in your case so you can focus on your recovery
- Managing all communications on your behalf
- Determining what party may be liable for your damages
- Gathering evidence of their negligence
- Identifying your losses and collecting proof of their value
- Filing your insurance claim and lawsuit
- Negotiating with the responsible party or their representatives for a settlement offer
- Taking your case to trial if they do not make you a fair offer
During this time, our caring and attentive staff will be available to:
- Answer your questions
- Update you on your case’s progress
- Give you honest advice
- Help you understand your legal options and any applicable laws
What are the most fatal road hazard accidents?
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), the top road condition that contributed to fatal car accidents in Florida in 2019 was “road surface condition (wet, icy, snow, slush, etc.).” This was a factor in 65 fatal accidents.
A lawyer from our firm can also help you fight for compensation after a fatal road accident.
The Deadline to Sue in Florida
The time limit for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Florida is generally four years, per Florida Statutes § 95.11. For a wrongful death lawsuit, the general filing deadline is two years.
Note that for a personal injury lawsuit against a municipality or other government agency, the general filing deadline is three years.
Start working with the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato today
At the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato, we represent car accident victims in many cases. We can help you pursue a municipality, another driver, or any other party that may be liable for your damages.
Whether your accident was due to poor road conditions or the fault of another driver, call the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato at (954) 633-8270 for a free case review. A member of our team is standing by to answer your questions and discuss your legal options. The sooner you contact our firm, the sooner we can start building your case.
