Common Causes of Auto Accidents
The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 gave birth to the massive network of interstates and highways that traverse our vast country. Construction of the Interstate Highway System took nearly 40 years and was finally proclaimed “complete” in 1992. Today, more than 25% of all vehicle miles driven in the United States are on the Interstate Highway System.
The original planners envisioned a massive network of freeways and highways stretching across the United States. This network was intended to safely transport the ever-growing number of vehicles in the country. While these intentions were good, the design of the highway system had some major flaws and has actually led to significant problems over the years. Car accidents on the highways and interstates are frequent and have numerous causes. Speeding, reckless driving, and intoxicated drivers make highways a dangerous place to be, especially during rush hour.
However, another common cause of car accidents may very well be the road design itself. Unfortunately, poor road design isn’t always easy to prove. Accidents that are caused by defective highways or poor road design in Arkansas require the skills of an experienced and aggressive law firm with the extensive resources needed to tackle these complex cases.
It can take weeks or even months to understand the full impact of your car accident. Lost wages, car repairs, and medical bills start to pile up — along with additional expenses you couldn’t have planned for. Having a lawyer by your side will ensure that these longer-term costs are taken into consideration when fighting for a fair insurance payout.
Poor highway design is more common than many people believe. These defects and flaws in the road can cause serious and fatal accidents in Arkansas and Tennessee. Mistakes can occur at any point during the design, building, or maintenance of the highways. Construction errors can lead to joints popping up on the road, faulty repair jobs can result in increased potholes, and design flaws can result in sharp and deadly turns.
Some of the most common types of poor highway designs are:
Here are some real-world examples of poor road design and how they can cause an accident in Arkansas:
Government agencies in Arkansas and Tennessee have a responsibility to design, build, and maintain the roads in these communities. If you believe that your accident was caused by poor highway design or maintenance, you may be able to file a claim against the appropriate government entity or the construction company that failed to meet the expected standard of care.
Typically, in order to find fault, you must clearly establish that the road was designed or built with flaws or defects. If your accident was caused by improper road maintenance, you must show that the government entity knew or should have known that the road needed repair or maintenance and then failed to take appropriate action.
If your claim is against the government entity, you must act quickly. Car accident victims only have a short amount of time to file a lawsuit against a government agency. As such, it is important to speak to an experienced and skilled car accident attorney immediately.
After a poor highway design car accident in Arkansas, it’s difficult to know where to turn for help. Bills start to add up, paperwork becomes a burden, and insurance companies don’t have your best interest at heart. Thankfully, our team does.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident and you believe that poor road design caused your crash, speak to an experienced and skilled car accident lawyer immediately. Poor road design cases are complex and require a law firm with the experience and resources needed to fight these difficult claims. With offices throughout Arkansas – Little Rock, Springdale, Conway, Hot Springs, Bryant, Jacksonville, and Jonesboro – our car accident attorneys fight aggressively for your future and will negotiate with the auto insurance companies on your behalf every step of the way. Call today for a free consultation.
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