Road Designs that contributes to Road

Accidents
 Medians

Medians separate motorists traveling in different directions to prevent an out

of control vehicle from entering the opposite traffic lanes. Medians that are too
low or not situated properly can allow such vehicles to cross and lead to tragic
results. Some median barriers may be too rigid, crushing a vehicle or sending
it back into traffic.  Some medians lack sufficient reflectors to warn drivers at
night.

 Signage

Signs warn motorist of existing road conditions, speed limits, rules of the road,
irregularities in the road or of other hazards. Signs that are old or damaged
are sometimes not replaced or new hazards may appear that a sign may not
address. A poorly situated sign may not be seen or overgrown foliage can
obscure a sign from view.

 Shoulder Design

A significant shoulder drop-off can create a danger for motorists who may lose
control of their car and cross over the median and into oncoming traffic.

 Off and On Ramps

Ramps that are too short or do not allow motorists to exit or enter highways
safely can create a dangerous situation for motorists who are not used to the
ramp or fail to compensate for its flaws.

 Improper Grading

A roadway that is not properly paved or graded can allow pools of water to
accumulate and cause cars to hydroplane and motorists to lose control.

 Highway Construction Zones

Lane changes, uneven pavement, and poor visibility at night or in snowy
conditions can render road construction zones as particularly hazardous.

Determining Liability
Since a city, state or the federal government is responsible for highway
design, maintenance and other safety structures on the highways, an injury
claim would be presented against these entities. Unlike a typical personal
injury claim against a negligent driver for example, the statute of limitations for
filing a claim in Massachusetts is different because you must file it pursuant to
the Massachusetts Tort Claim Act.

These claims suppose that a negligent act or omission of a public employee

acting within the scope of his or her office or employment was responsible for
the accident. To bring a claim, you must submit a Presentment Claim Form
along with:

 Police or accident report

 Identification of the responsible individual or entity
 Bills or estimates for the personal injury alleged

There may be other parties responsible, however.  A construction company is

often redirecting traffic where there is road work being undertaken.

Damages in a Poor Road Design Accident

You are entitled to recover compensation for your injuries if your Boston
accident lawyer is able to prove the government entity responsible for the
roadway defect was negligent.  Common injuries in auto cases include the
following:

 Strained neck and back

 Spinal cord injuries
 Traumatic brain injuries
 Disfigurement
 Permanent disability
 Paralysis
 Burns
 Broken limbs
 Facial injuries
 Emotional trauma

Compensation includes medical expenses, lost earnings and benefits, pain

and suffering and compensation for psychological damage.

Defective roadway design cases are not always easily determined. It takes an
experienced car accident lawyer to look at all the factors that can cause an
accident and to examine possible roadway flaws or maintenance issues that
contributed to your accident.

Link : https://burnsjainlaw.com/boston-car-accident-lawyer/poor-road-design-causing-car-accidents/

Car Accidents and Poor Road Design

Car accidents can occur for many different reasons,

including driver error and the negligence of other drivers.
Sometimes, auto, car, and motorcycle accidents can occur as the result of
poorly designed roads. Poor road design accidents can cause many different
types of accidents, including one-car accidents, multiple car accidents,
pedestrian accidents, or accidents involving bicycles. Car accidents due to
poor road design bring up a unique set of legal issues, and successfully
litigating or negotiating these kinds of claims require specialized legal training
and skill. You should be sure to retain the services of a personal injury
attorney who understands and has experience handling these types of claims
to maximize your chances of a favorable outcome in your case.
Statistics published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
indicate that in 2005, car accidents cost Florida $40 million in medical costs
and $3.12 in work-loss costs. The individual effects of car accidents can also
be devastating to both victims and their families, potentially resulting in
medical bills, the loss of the ability to work, the need for ongoing care, and the
loss of quality of life. Some common examples of poor road design issues that
may cause accidents include the following:

 Trees or other vegetation over roads

 Missing or obstructed signs
 Bridges without height warnings
 Lack of signs in construction zones
 Broken traffic signals
 Poor roadway maintenance
 Improper building materials
 Missing or broken guard rails
 Potholes
 Pavement defects
 Incorrect road markings
 Issues with exit and entrance ramps
 Debris on the road
 Inadequate lighting at night

These are just some of the ways in which poor road design can cause
accidents, and it is important for anyone who suspects that their accident was
caused by an unreasonably dangerous road condition to consult with an
experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible in order to
determine whether they have a claim. Car accidents are among the leading
causes of death in the United States today, and cost us billions of dollars in
medical expenses and lost productivity each year. When accidents that cause
injury are caused but the negligence of others, victims may be able to recover
through a Florida personal injury lawsuit. The compensation from a car
accident lawsuit may be the only way a person will be able to provide for their
medical care and secure their financial future after a car accident. As a result,
it is important for anyone who has been injured in a car accident to contact
one of the experienced personal injury attorneys of Gerson & Schwartz, PA as
soon as possible. Our attorneys have been helping injured clients since 1970,
and are dedicated to getting out clients the best result possible.

Link: https://www.injuryattorneyfla.com/poor-road-design.html
 POOR ROAD DESIGN + POOR ROAD
MAINTENANCE
When designing roads, engineers consider many factors and design for things such as:

 An adequate recovery zone, allowing drivers who go off the road a way to safely
return to it
 Guardrails to protect motorists from steep embankments or other roadside
hazards
 Curves that can be navigated at appropriate speeds

Examples of poor road design might be:

Medians separate motorists traveling in different directions. If the median is too low or
not situated properly it makes it possible for cars to cross into oncoming traffic. If a
medium is too rigid, a vehicle can be totaled on impact or bounced back into traffic.

Signs warn motorist of the rules of the road and irregularities or other hazards. Old or
damaged signs may not be replaced or a poorly placed sign may not be seen due to
overgrown vegetation that can obscure it from view. Unanticipated hazards can cause
drivers to overcorrect or lose control of their vehicle.

Roadways not graded or properly paved can allow water to accumulate, a condition
which can lead to vehicles hydroplaning and drivers losing control of their vehicle.

Poor roadway design and maintenance can lead to very serious motor vehicle accidents
and life-threatening injuries.

POOR ROAD DESIGNS

 Lack of proper guardrails

 Blind curves
 Overly narrow lanes
 No shoulder or dangerous shoulder; not providing an adequate shoulder area for
vehicles to stop if necessary
 Excessive grades
 Lack of proper signage regarding safe speed, approaching curves or
approaching hazards
 Visual impediments such as bushes or trees that were not adequately cleared
during construction
 Inadequate road drainage
 Merging lanes that aren’t long enough
 POOR ROAD MAINTENANCE

 Failure to trim overgrown plants that may be blocking the view of the road or a
sign
 Failure to maintain missing or damaged traffic signals and other traffic signs
 Uncorrected potholes, guardrail or median damage
 Excessive oil or gravel due to resurfacing or road maintenance procedures
 Faded paint markings, like the center line or road edge markings
 Untreated roads in winter weather

DANGEROUS ROADWAYS CAN LEAD TO

SERIOUS INJURIES
As with any motor vehicle accident, devastating injuries can be sustained when the
cause is a defective design or poor maintenance of the roadway.

 Broken bones
 Neck and back injuries
 Spinal cord injuries
 Head trauma
 Permanent scarring and/or disfigurement
 Permanent disability and/or paralysis
 Chronic injuries
 Facial injuries
 Emotional trauma

Because these cases can be complex and involve governmental or multiple parties, the
best advice is to retain the services of a personal injury attorney, like Nash &
Franciskato, who has experience dealing with these entities.

Our attorneys have the expertise and knowledge to determine what road problems
contributed to your accident.

Link: https://nashfranciskato.com/blog/poor-road-design-maintenance-lead-to-accidents/