Seattle Dangerous Road Lawyers
Most Washington car accidents are caused by driver negligence. Some crashes, however, are caused by a hazardous condition on a roadway or a dangerously designed roadway. In such cases, the governmental entity responsible for maintaining or designing that roadway could be held liable. Holding a governing body liable for a dangerous roadway is not easy and it often requires the help and guidance of a skilled Seattle personal injury attorney.
Types of Dangerous Roadway Conditions
The governing body in charge of a roadway is responsible for its design and upkeep. Here are a few examples of dangerous road conditions that may result in Washington injury car accidents:
- Potholes and Uneven Surfaces: Potholes in the roadway can damage a car or cause a smaller vehicle such as a bicycle or a motorcycle to veer out of control. Uneven and loose surfaces can also cause a vehicle to swerve or have trouble braking. These types of hazardous conditions must be repaired immediately.
- Defective Design: This could include dangerous slopes, dips and curves to entrance and exit ramps that do not allow for safe merging. Absence of proper signage can also be dangerous.
- Lack of Safety: In some cases, serious pedestrian accidents can occur because there are no crosswalks provided at a certain location. In other cases, although crosswalks are provided, they may not be properly visible to motorists exposing pedestrians to more danger. Bicyclists face hazards when there are no bike lanes.
Proving Liability for Washington Dangerous Roadway Accidents
Did the condition of the roadway cause an injury accident? Was the government aware of the problem and failed to fix it? Was there ample time to rectify the problem? Does that location have a history of injury accidents? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, the injured victim of the dangerous roadway accident in Seattle may have a viable claim against the government. It takes an experienced and tenacious Seattle car accident lawyer to pursue a case against a governmental entity, which almost always involves additional procedures and red tape.
Victims' Claim for Compensation
A civil lawsuit against the governing body in charge of a dangerous roadway could result in compensation for the damages suffered in the crash. Losses may include:
- Emergency room costs
- Past, current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Disability coverage
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Long-term care, if the injuries are catastrophic in nature
The experienced Seattle car accident attorneys of Hardwick & Pendergast have an excellent track record of successfully representing injured victims and their families in cases involving government liability. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident involving a dangerous or defective roadway, please contact us for a free, comprehensive and confidential consultation.
