Dangerous Road Conditions
Driving is the most used form of transportation in America. As drivers we expect the roads and highways we must travel on to work, shop and play to be safe. Our State and City Governments are required by law to maintain the quality of our roadways and provide safe streets and freeways. Unfortunately this is not always the case. Many traffic accidents are caused every year because of dangerous road conditions, unsafe conditions and hazardous roadways.
There are many dangerous roadway conditions that will put drivers and passengers at risk while traveling, such as:
- Bad Roads – This includes the design, friction, width of the lanes, angle of curves, and wear and tear of the road itself.
- Lighting- Lighting plays a key role in night driving. Inadequate lightning makes it difficult for a driver to see other vehicles, landmarks, or pedestrians.
- Weather- Different weather conditions provide drivers with different safety risks, including slippery and icy roads, patches of black ice, heavy rain, and fog.
- Signals and signs- If traffic signals and signs are not in plain view, or are blocked they may cause accidents.
- Pavement- Any substandard patches of pavement, including potholes, drop-offs, texture, and bumps can put drivers at risk.
- Road construction- During road construction debris may be strewn on the road, and lanes may be closed off without sufficient warning to drivers.
- Improperly Installed Rails – Rails are meant to make drivers safer, but there are thousands of miles of improperly installed rails in America that cause many accidents every year.
The Department of Transportation in each State is responsible for maintaining the road conditions throughout each state. They have very strict standards and regulations on roadway maintenance and repair and bad weather is no excuse for bad road conditions.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a traffic accident due to hazardous roadways or dangerous road conditions, you should consult with an experienced traffic accident lawyer.