Most car accidents are caused by a driver’s negligence. However, sometimes accidents can result from defective or poorly maintained roadways. Dangerous road conditions can lead to serious and even deadly accidents. In Florida, the state, county, or city that is in charge of the roadway is responsible for maintaining it in a safe condition. They must keep the road free from dangerous conditions.
Poorly Maintained Roadways
The entity responsible for a roadway must make sure that it is properly maintained and free from dangerous conditions. Poor roadway maintenance can be evidenced by:
- Unfilled potholes
- Construction debris or equipment left in the road
- Debris left on the road
- Broken or obstructed signage
- Malfunctioning traffic lights
- Broken guard rails
- Faded lane markings
- Excessive gravel or oil on the road
All of these conditions can lead to car accidents at any time.
Poorly Designed Roadways
In addition to being properly maintained, a roadway must be designed in a safe manner, to begin with. Some features of unsafe roadway design that can lead to accidents include:
- Lanes that are too narrow
- Lack of guardrails
- Curves that are not safe at the posted speed limit
- Unclear or inadequate roadway markers
- Improper or hard to see signs
- Improper grading or uneven roadways
- Poor drainage
- Blind intersections
The design of the roadway should comply with the engineering standards that existed at the time the roadway was built. There are exceptions to this concept. If a roadway has a history of car accidents, then the entity in charge may have an obligation to upgrade the roadway to modern standards to make it safe for motorists. In addition, if the entity takes on a construction project involving the roadway, then there may be an obligation to ensure that any upgrades comply with modern engineering standards.
Contact an Experienced Accident Attorney
If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by a defective roadway, you should consult with an experienced accident attorney. Gregg Goldfarb has been handling car accident claims for over 25 years. Contact us online or call us at 305-374-7000 to schedule a free consultation.