Reckless or distracted drivers cause many car accidents by driving under the influence, texting and driving, or speeding. But poor road conditions cause numerous car accidents, too. These can lead to injuring drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. In fact, more than half of fatalities in car accidents are caused by bad road conditions.
What causes poor road conditions?
Some road hazards are impossible to predict and prevent, such as tropical rains and flooding, that make driving unsafe even on the best roads. But there are other factors that can be controlled to ensure optimum safety. These include proper signage, signals, pavement markings, and lighting.
Roads that have been designed with inadequate drainage systems can cause water to build up, increasing the risk of hydroplaning. Dangerous dips, slopes, or curves are other examples of subpar road design.
Another cause of bad road conditions is the lack of proper maintenance, which can lead to potholes and cracks developing on the road’s surface. If you hit a pothole, you risk blowing a tire and completely losing control of the vehicle. Roads have an average life expectancy of twenty or so years. While road maintenance can significantly increase safety, after two decades the road will need to be repaired and resurfaced. This touches on another type of road condition that can be hazardous: construction and work zones. These areas need to be marked with proper warnings and signage because barriers and machines blocking traffic can significantly affect road conditions.
What should you do in case of an accident?
If you have been injured in a car accident due to road conditions, contact an car accident lawyer for a free consultation. In certain cases, a government agency could be responsible for damages in a car accident caused by dangerous road conditions. However, there are things you can and should do right away at the scene of the accident to protect your case.
First, you will need to call 911 and check everyone involved for injuries. Don’t refuse medical care at the scene of the accident because not all injuries will be immediately obvious. Also, having a medical professional document your injuries will greatly improve your chances of getting fair compensation. After you check that everyone involved is safe, document the scene of the accident.
How do you describe road conditions?
Nowadays, most people are carrying a camera in their pocket, so you can take photos of the scene of the accident without much trouble. Make sure to document all potholes, note inefficient traffic control in work zones, fallen or poorly visible signs, inadequate guardrails, and anything that might be useful as evidence.
Contact a Tampa car accident attorney.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident caused by poor road conditions, you might be entitled to compensation. Contact Dan Zohar, a personal injury attorney with more than 30 years of experience: (813) 935-9448. Attorney Zohar will give you a free consultation to guide you through what can be a very frustrating, time-consuming, and stressful process.