Knoxville roads are frequented by thousands of drivers and passengers. Most of us do not even consider the quality of the roads we drive on each day, though road quality contributes to many automobile and trucking accidents every year.
Faulty road design, poor construction, and lack of maintenance can make traveling and commuting very dangerous. If you have been in an auto accident and are seeking legal advice, call our auto accident lawyers in Knoxville at (865) 247-0080 now for a free case evaluation.
Unsafe road design
Can you think of a location where accidents always seem to occur? This type of location would be considered a defective roadway. Design flaws and physical defects make these areas dangerous to travel. While accidents in these areas may be passed off as being caused by other factors such as speed or recklessness, it doesn't change the fact that the road wasn't designed properly, and that it is unsafe.
Road conditions which make roadways unsafe include:
- Improper signage or lack thereof
- Blind curves
- No traffic signals
- Uneven shoulders
- Poor grading
- Visual obstructions
- Lack of lighting
- Wrong use of road materials
- Damaged guardrails
- Dangerous intersections
- Road drop-offs
Accidents Caused by Poor Road Design
Accidents caused by poor road design can lead to very lengthy and trying investigations; what do you do when the designer of the road is the one to blame for your accident? Insurance carriers may take quite a while to pay claims, or may deny your claim at first. These complicated cases typically require expert analysis and testimony to back up your claim of poor road conditions.
State and federal laws are in place which require cities and counties to design and build safe roadways. Cities and counties are also bound to maintain their roadways. If you believe your accident was caused by poor road design, construction, or maintenance, you can make a claim against the government entity responsible for that roadway.
Hiring an Attorney to Pursue Your Case
When doing so, you should hire an attorney, as pursuing the government can be quite difficult on your own due to sovereign immunity. Sovereign immunity protects government entities from most civil lawsuits. In the case of recklessness and gross negligence by a government agency, civil lawsuits are usually permitted. In this case a car accident lawyer can help.
- An accident attorney will work to prove the government was at fault for the poor road design which caused your accident.
- They will gather evidence such as accident reports, photos of the accident scene and the roadway, witness testimony, and expert testimony to support your claim.
- Your attorney will advise you of the statute of limitations which affects your case, and will assist you by filing the Notice of Claim, which informs the government of your civil claim.
- They will also work with you through the claims process, as well as filing a lawsuit if necessary.
If you have been in an accident caused by poor roadways, contact Greg Coleman Law today. An injury lawyer in our Knoxville office from our firm can represent you as you pursue a claim against the government regarding defective roadways. Greg Coleman Law offers free case evaluation for anyone with severe injuries after a car crash. Our services are backed by years of successful experience and hundreds of millions of dollars won in legal settlements and verdicts.
Call (865) 247-0080 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form.
