Accidents Caused by Road Hazards

Road hazards are just part of driving in Brooklyn, but the damage they can cause can be devastating. Whether you’re facing a pothole, debris or litter in the road, or a malfunctioning traffic light, your safety is at risk when you’re on the road. Even another driver’s response to road hazards can put you in jeopardy, and you could be facing a long road to recovery after a car accident on Brooklyn streets.

Road Hazards and Highway Agencies that Fail to Do Their Jobs

A recent government study showed that most highway agencies aren’t doing enough to protect motorists from road hazards. Because the roads are a public utility, it is the local, state or federal government’s responsibility to make sure they are safe and usable—but they don’t always hold up their end of the bargain.

Common Road Hazards that Cause Accidents

While every case has its own nuances, many car accidents are caused by road hazards. Some of the most common hazards are uneven surfaces and potholes. Although it is the government’s responsibility to fix these issues or to at least warn motorists that they are at risk, many potholes and uneven surfaces go unnoticed (and un-fixed) for significant periods of time on our roadways.

Other common road hazards in Brooklyn include:

• Debris in the road. Debris such as loose asphalt, litter and things that fall from delivery trucks can cause serious car accidents. Whether you or another driver swerve to avoid debris or it hits your vehicle, you are at risk of injury every time there is something in the road that does not belong there.
• Our streets are crowded with cars, trucks and pedestrians. Pedestrians who don’t follow the rules of the road by using crosswalks (and those who cross against the signals in crosswalks) put every motorist in danger. People are unpredictable, and their erratic or irresponsible behavior can cause you to have a car crash.
• Companion animals are all over the sidewalks in Brooklyn, but when one gets loose and darts into the street, most drivers will do anything to avoid hitting it—including swerving and slamming on the brakes without being aware of other motorists on the road.
• Obscured or broken traffic signs and signals. When tree branches dip too low, ice forms along roadways or electronic traffic signals burn out, everyone is in danger.

Other hazards include drivers who gawk at existing accidents, fire hydrants that burst open and many other things. The bottom line is that even if you are aware of the hazards, other drivers may not be… and those are the types of drivers who cause car accidents.

What to Do if You Are Involved in an Accident Due to Road Hazards

Naturally, the first thing you need to do after any accident is seek medical care. You may have injuries that you don’t know about, and the longer they go untreated, the worse they will become. Internal injuries, including traumatic brain injury, can take time to show symptoms; the earlier you receive care, the better off you will be.

If possible, make note of the road hazard that caused your accident. Take pictures with your smartphone if you can. Talk to witnesses, and take down their names and contact information if they are willing to help you.

Gather as much information as possible after an accident. It can help police investigate the cause of the crash, and if you decide to pursue legal action against the person or entity responsible for the accident, your lawyer will be able to use it to prove fault in your case.

Who Could Be at Fault for Your Accident?

While many accidents are directly caused by road hazards, the actions of other drivers can have a big effect on what happens. For example, a person who swerves to avoid a pothole and sideswipes your car could be as much at fault as the city is for not repairing the pothole. Someone who slams on the brakes because he or she didn’t see a stop sign could be at fault, or a person who is speeding and spins out on black ice could be just as responsible as the city is for not salting the roads.

Every case is unique, so there is no one-size-fits-all answer for who is at fault for your car accident. Your attorney will need all the information you and other witnesses can provide in order to build your case. He or she will create a strategy that gets you the best possible outcome.

Talking to an Attorney About Road Hazards and Car Accidents

It can’t hurt to discuss your options with a lawyer who is familiar with Brooklyn’s common road hazards. He or she will let you know whether you might be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages and other expenses.

If you have questions or would like a free consultation to determine whether you have a case, call 718-448-1600 today.