Road Defects

Many people do not acknowledge the hazards of driving. While they may harbor fears of airplane accidents or terrorist attacks, these things are much less likely to occur than a fatal car accident. Car wrecks are the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 1 and 38. While a number of factors can cause a car accident to occur, road defects are an especially unnerving possibility.

Road Defects and Liability

The slightest defect on a highway may be enough to cause a serious accident to occur. The department responsible for roadway construction and maintenance should be held accountable for driver safety. Commonly reported roadway defects include:

• Large potholes-A large pothole can cause a motorist to lose control of their vehicle and veer into another car or careen off road

• Lack of guardrail (or defective guardrail)-A defective or absent guardrail can result in an vehicle falling several feet in an accident

• Shoulder drop off-Shoulder drop offs without adequate warning signs may give drivers a false sense of security; consequently, causing an accident to occur if they pull off of the roadway but there is no shoulder

• Uneven pavement-In extreme cases, uneven pavement can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle

• Lack of signs-Traffic signs and integral in keeping drivers updated and attentive to their surroundings. Without ample notification, otherwise avoidable accidents may occur.

• Construction zones-Temporary roadway construction can result in detours, narrow lanes, or other unsafe conditions. If these zones are not carefully designed, accidents may occur.

While accidents caused by roadway defects are rare, they do occur. If you observe a roadway defect, be sure to call your state's department of transportation office to report the defect and have it resolved as soon as possible.