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Accidents Caused by Poor Road Conditions
It seems like every year road quality and road conditions around Maryland are getting worse. The American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE) gave Maryland’s roads a C- rating in their annual report card for American infrastructure. According to their analysis, 20% of major roads are in poor condition. Poor road conditions mean more than just a bumpy ride. In some cases, a road’s poor quality can contribute to a vehicle accident.
When an accident is caused by poor road conditions, the government may be liable. Claims against the government can be long and complicated. If you are injured in an accident caused by poor road conditions, you should talk to an attorney to make sure you are compensated for your injuries.
Causes of Poor Road Quality Accidents
When road quality deteriorates, it can lead to dangerous road conditions. Common road quality problems include potholes, sinkholes, uneven road surfaces, crumbling asphalt, and major road cracks. When a driver hits one of these hazards, it may cause them to lose control of their vehicle, crashing into an object or another car. Hitting a chunk of asphalt or an uneven surface may also blow a tire, leaving the car swerving into oncoming traffic, or hitting a pedestrian.
After an accident caused by poor road conditions, you may want to call the police to take a report. The police may do an on-site investigation into the accident. You can tell the officer how the poor road conditions contributed to the crash. You may also want to take video or photos of the road condition, and see if you can find any witnesses to the accident. A police report may help you document the accident, and will usually serve as notice to the government that you may be making a claim.
Poor Road Condition Accident Injuries
Just like any other automobile accident, an accident involving dangerous road conditions can lead to injuries for the driver, occupants, and pedestrians involved. Individuals could end up with minor scrapes, serious injury, or even death. Many people who have an accident caused by poor road quality will only suffer minor injuries. This can include scrapes, bruises, abrasions, cuts, and neck or back strain. However, just because an accident seemed minor at the time does not mean that it isn’t serious. Many neck and back injuries take a couple of days before the individual realizes that they suffered a more serious injury than they first realized.
If a vehicle loses control after striking a road hazard, their car may end up facing oncoming traffic, resulting in a side-impact or head-on collision. These are some of the more serious types of accidents and can prove fatal. Serious car accidents result in head or face injury, broken bones, severed limbs, neck or back injury, and internal injuries. If the vehicle is badly damaged, the occupants may be trapped inside the vehicle, making their injuries worse.
Liability for Accidents Caused by Poor Road Conditions
The state government or other traffic authority may be responsible for the inspection and upkeep of the roadway. If the government agency was negligent in failing to repair the road hazard, they may be liable for the injuries caused. However, this is much more complicated than simply filing a claim with the government. You should consider talking to an attorney if you are planning to file a claim against the government. They can investigate your case, and make sure it is properly handled so you get compensation for your injuries.
Claims against the government are handled differently than claims against private parties. The government has a different timeline within which to file your claim. This is known as the notice requirement. If you do not file your claim in time, the government can deny your claim, and you may be left having to pay your medical bills and car repair costs. Talk to your attorney as soon as you can to make sure you can file your claim in time.
Baltimore Automobile Accident Injury Attorneys
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by poor road quality, the law firm of Gilman & Bedigian may be able to help. Dealing with a claim against the government can be more complicated than filing a claim against another driver. This is why you should talk to a lawyer about taking on your case, so you won’t lose out on your claim for compensation. Our attorneys have years of experience dealing with automobile accident cases throughout Maryland. We will fight for your rights to make sure you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.