What if Unsafe Road Conditions Contributed to My Crash?
If you were injured in a traffic accident and unsafe road conditions were the direct cause, or they contributed to the severity of the accident, the responsible municipality can be held liable. These cases, however, are even more legally challenging, and you shouldn’t proceed without skilled legal guidance in your corner. Our experienced Greensburg traffic accident attorneys at Stine & Associates welcome the opportunity to help you.
The Roads in Greensburg
Greensburg experiences heavy traffic, severe weather, and significant shifts in temperature, and several major trucking and freight corridors. This means that our roads take a beating and that unsafe road conditions often contribute to or directly cause dangerous traffic crashes. If this is the difficult position you find yourself in, retaining trusted legal counsel sooner rather than later is always advised.
Prime examples of dangerous road conditions include all the following:
- Potholes
- Fractured or crumbling pavement
- Uneven pavement
- Faded traffic lines
- Road debris
- dangerous road construction practices
- Unsafe road design
- Dangerous drop-offs
- Inadequate drainage
- Malfunctioning traffic signals or missing traffic signs
- Inadequate warnings regarding sharp curves
The specific dangerous road in question will determine where you file your claim. Different government agencies and departments are responsible for different roadways, and identifying the responsible party is critical.
Your Unsafe Road Condition Claims
It’s important to note that government entities are afforded an additional layer of protection from legal liability. As such, you will be required to give notice and can expect the timelines for filing to be abbreviated. Further, Pennsylvania caps the compensation claimants can receive in claims against government agencies. If, however, you’ve been injured as a result of a poorly maintained road, obtaining the compensation you deserve is important, and you need professional legal representation.
The Government Must Have Had Notice of the Dangerous Condition
A key factor in any dangerous road claim against the government in PA is that the agency must have been aware of the problem to begin with. From here, they must have failed to take the reasonable steps necessary to rectify the concern.
The notice required can be actual or constructive. Actual notice means that the responsible government entity was notified about the safety concern, such as through written complaints or maintenance requests. Constructive notice, on the other hand, means that the agency reasonably should have known about the defect. If, for example, the problem was abundantly clear or if it should have been detected during the course of regular inspection and maintenance, constructive notice is established.
Turn to Our Experienced Greensburg Traffic Accident Lawyers for the Help You Need
Our Greensburg traffic accident attorneys at Stine & Associates are well acquainted with the legal intricacies involved in holding government agencies responsible for the damages caused by unsafe roads, and we have an imposing reputation for doing so. The outcome of your claim is important to your future, so please don’t delay contacting us online or giving our firm a call at 724-837-0160 today.