Highway Maintenance Accidents
What Is Highway Maintenance?
Highway maintenance is a very important factor of road safety. It is natural for streets and highways to degrade over the years. In fact, most roads exist for decades, worn down by heavy traffic. Potholes, cracks, erosion, faulty guardrails, damaged or faded road signs, and other examples of wear and tear can create hazardous road conditions for drivers, their passengers, and pedestrians.
If you have experienced a personal injury or lost a family member to a wrongful death because of poor highway maintenance, you may be eligible for compensation. Our team of highway maintenance attorneys will negotiate with the insurance company to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact The Husband & Wife Law Team today for a free consultation.
The Types of Auto Accident Cases Involving Highway Maintenance
We all know that distracted drivers cause car accidents, but accidents can also happen because of poor highway maintenance. Highways must be properly cared for and maintained by the government at the local, state, or even federal level. This means they must conduct regular inspections to detect possible damage that is in need of repair. Maintaining a highway may also mean a redesign based on the current amount of traffic and other possible factors to improve how the road is used on a daily basis.
Poor highway maintenance is usually the result of government officials’ negligence. We have seen crashes caused by:
Defective and broken traffic lights and signals.
Debris left behind by road construction projects.
Damaged or missing guardrails and other safety features.
Flooding and slippery surfaces caused by poor and defective drainage systems.
Missing or defective shoulders.
A lack of adequate warning signs to indicate construction work, environmental hazards, or other possible dangers ahead.
Who Is Responsible for Highway Design and Maintenance?
Different government agencies at varying levels are responsible for different types of maintenance issues. One government agency may be responsible for plowing the roads in the aftermath of a snowstorm, while another government agency may be responsible for filling in potholes. It is important to note that most government organizations cannot be sued in regular court and have instead implemented an administrative claims process, making it all the more important to determine just who is responsible before moving forward with your claim.
Highway-maintenance-related accidents are often restricted by a narrow timeframe in which to file a claim. It must also be proven that the issue of highway maintenance was previously ignored and that the defect could have been fixed with proper care or a redesign. If, for instance, Maricopa County received several warnings about a pothole, but did nothing about it, and another person was injured, it could be grounds for a lawsuit. On the other hand, if a tree fell onto the highway and someone crashed into it, but the County didn’t have not enough time or notice to remove it, a highway maintenance claim would be far more difficult to prove.
A Skilled Highway Maintenance Accident Attorney Can Make All the Difference
While proving that your accident was caused by a highway maintenance issue can be difficult, it can be done with the right legal team by your side. The skilled highway accident attorneys at The Husband & Wife Law Team will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
You may be drowning in costly medical treatment, lost wages, and financial burdens. Getting compensation from those responsible for your injuries can provide much-needed relief. Contact our office today for a free consultation.