Miami Hazardous Roadways

There are many potential causes of Miami car accidents and not all of them involve human error. A hazardous route is an often-ignored source of injury accidents. Insurance companies and law enforcement authorities are quick to blame a motorist for an accident. In cases where auto accidents are caused by dangerous roadways, injured victims would be well-advised to contact an experienced Florida personal injury lawyer to examine their legal rights and options.

Many types of dangerous roadways can lead to a Miami car accident. A few of the most common forms of hazardous conditions include:

• Dangerous Curves: Poor road design can lead to dangerous curves or blind crossings, causing motorists to get disoriented.
• Lack of Guard Rails: For the safety of the motorists, many highways should have guardrails or center dividers.
• Poor Visibility: The governing authority in charge of the route must ensure that street signs and traffic signals are not obscured by foliage. Roadway illumination issues can also result in serious cycling and pedestrian accidents.
• Poorly Maintained Roads: Roads with uneven pavement and potholes can be highly dangerous for drivers. Poorly maintained roadways are especially dangerous for motorcycle riders.
• Poorly Designed Intersections: Examining the history of a street intersection can assist decide if it is inherently dangerous for vehicles.
• Improper Signage: Traffic signals and signs might be inconsistent or misleading, provide information too late to be useful, or be completely absent. Local drivers may have adapted to these dangers, but visitors cannot be expected to be aware of them.

A hazardous roadway typically has steep turns, sudden dips and potholes. Some roadways, however, simply have a long history of being home to fatal car accidents. According to a report by The Daily Beast, the Interstate 95 in Florida is considered the nation's deadliest interstate. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 662 fatal crashes resulting in 765 deaths on the I-95 between the years of 2004 and 2008. It is unclear from the report how many of these deaths were caused by the upkeep and design of the roadway, but these statistics clearly show a history of dangerous conditions.

Not only will an injured victim need to prove that a hazardous roadway caused the crash, but he or she will also have to prove that the government was aware of the condition and neglected to fix the problem. A skilled attorney can investigate the history of a location and sort through complaints and comments about the site to show a history of neglect. An experienced personal injury attorney will know how to hold a governing body liable for the accidents caused by a dangerous roadway.

There are strict statutes of limitations when it comes to a government claim. This means that if time lapses, then, victims may not be able to seek any compensation for their losses. If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of a dangerous roadway, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at the Law Office of Ruth E. Johnson for a free and comprehensive consultation.