Over 25,000 of the 42,643 people killed on our nation’s highways in 2003 died when their vehicles left their lane and crashed. Sometimes these accidents involved vehicles crossing the center line and crashing. Other times they involved crossing into the shoulder and rolling over, dropping down a slope or cliff, or colliding with objects such as trees, poles, walls or abutments. While such accidents may have many causes, one danger often overlooked by lawyers is some problem with road design or maintenance, or what is commonly known as a “dangerous road.”
Dangerous roads are a significant cause of car accidents. A dangerous road can result from faulty design, faulty construction, faulty maintenance, or faulty adaptation to changing conditions. Your attorney should assess whether any or all of these problems may have contributed to the accident that may have resulted in injuries to you or a loved one.
20% of all fatal road accidents involve a single car that runs off the road, often rolling over or colliding with a fixed object. While government defendants often argue that such accidents result from driver error, road conditions may be all or part of the cause of the accident.
Dangerous road cases are difficult and expensive. The government bodies controlling the roads have strong defenses put in place by the government itself. Therefore, proving that a road caused an accident can be a challenge. Investigation of the accident site and its history requires substantial attorney work, expense, and expertise. But successful cases not only benefit the client: they directly force changes in dangerous conditions that can save lives – changes that might not otherwise occur at all.
If you have suffered injuries or property loss after being involved in a accident, you may be entitled to compensatory damages for:
Road hazards most often stem from faulty design, construction, maintenance, or failure by the government to make road changes to adapt to new conditions. The following are some examples of each type of dangerous road condition:
If a dangerous road may have caused your accident, you need to see a dangerous roads attorney immediately. Your lawyer may secure your wrecked vehicle and have an engineer with expertise in road design or crashworthiness inspect it. The engineer can determine the angle and speed at which the car left the road. Skid marks must be photographed and measured without delay. Often, if there were injuries, the police will have done so.
Your attorney may obtain topographical maps, photos showing warning signs, and plans for building the road. This material may reveal street design, construction, or maintenance flaws.
That’s why you need to be represented by respected and experienced Arizona dangerous roads attorneys after an accident. Our accident attorneys have been helping people injured in automobile, truck and motorcycle accidents for years. They know the issues that arise. They have dealt with doctors, bill collectors, claims people, auto insurance adjusters, and lien holders. They have the experience and the staff to handle every aspect of your case.
When one of our Arizona dangerous roads attorneys take over your case, they will immediately begin the process of investigation and evidence collection to secure and preserve evidence. They work with skilled engineers specializing in accident reconstruction, auto engineering and design experts, retired police officers, and professional investigators. They have the resources and experience to prove your case.
Their goal is to ensure that you receive full and fair monetary compensation for your injuries.