Call Now 202-960-4596
According to the 2021 roadway infrastructure report by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), 43% of public roadways are in poor or mediocre condition, costing drivers nearly $130 billion each year on vehicle repairs and associated costs. While many of us have experienced the negative effects of bad roads on our vehicles, what happens when these road defects and dangerous conditions cause car accidents and serious injuries?
Rated among the best personal injury lawyers in America, the DC, MD, and VA, car accident attorneys of Regan Zambri Long can help you navigate a car accident resulting from roadway defects. Call to schedule a free consultation today.
When we think of road defects, we may be drawn to consider the faintly painted road lines, cracking potholes, and potential debris scattered about. While these can cause a bumpy or inconvenient ride, these road defects can cause much more damage than expected.
Common dangerous road conditions that may lead to car crashes include:
These poor road conditions impact how commuters can get to and from locations, especially in highly congested, urban areas like Washington, DC where car accidents not only can be fatal to other drivers but to pedestrians and bicyclists navigating these dangerous roadways.
Issues with infrastructure are highly problematic and can cause car accidents in these highly-traveled areas. However, so too can secondary road conditions such as:
These road conditions are specifically dangerous to truck drivers and nearby passenger vehicles as the size and speed at which these large commercial trucks operate require larger spaces to slow down and stop the truck to avoid a collision.
If you are involved in a truck accident in DC, VA, or MD, know that you do have options, even if the accident is a result of poorly maintained roadways and not truck driver negligence.
If you are involved in a defective road car accident that results in property damage or injuries because of roadway defects, you may be able to sue.
It is imperative that immediately following the accident, you file a police report and make mention of the poor road conditions’ effect on driving. That way the police officer can make note of it in the report, which will be valuable to you when it comes to filing a personal injury claim against the liable party. Our defective road accident lawyer will take through al the steps and make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
Determining who is liable in a defective roadway accident will ultimately depend on the state you live in, as each state follows its own reporting guidelines and statute of limitations.
However, if the road the accident occurred on is supposed to be maintained by government agencies (federal, state, county, or city), you can hold the government responsible for any hazards which occur. In general, the government agency can be held liable for dangerous road conditions if:
While these types of accidents can be very time-consuming to handle, a car accident attorney in DC, MD, or VA can guide you through the claims process and specifically the statute of limitations.
If you are involved in a car accident on a roadway maintained by the District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT), there are specific communications that must be met to file a claim. For any actions against the District of Columbia, the Mayor must be notified of the accident in writing within 6 months. Details of the time, place, cause, and extent of injuries and damages must be documented. A Washington, DC truck accident or car accident lawyer can guide you through the process to ensure your claim is filed in time.
For defective road accidents occurring on roadways maintained by the Maryland Transit Administration, car and truck accident victims have one year from the date of injury to submit a claim. It is important to note that when seeking damages against the state or municipality, Maryland has capped compensation to $400,000. Because of this, it is best to consult with an MD car accident lawyer who can guide you through the claims process to achieve maximum compensation for your losses.
The emotional trauma that results immediately following a car or truck accident leaves many collision victims in Virginia unsure of who or what caused the car accident. If you can prove that the poorly maintained roadways caused your accident and resulting injuries, you may be able to hold the city or state accountable.
However, you must prove that a Virginia employee acted negligently. This can be difficult to do if you do not know who is responsible for the upkeep of your road. Further, civil lawsuits have damages capped at $100,000 for ordinary negligence, though exceptions do exist. This is why you must seek legal guidance from a Virginia defective road accident attorney following your accident.
If you or a loved one were injured or sustained property damage while operating a motorcycle or bicycle on a government-maintained roadway, you have a right to file a claim against the government entity responsible for your losses.
Because of the size comparison of bikes and motorcycles to standard-sized passenger vehicles and trucks, the resulting injuries can be catastrophic. A personal injury attorney in your state can help you or your loved ones through the claims process.
I
f you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident caused by the poorly maintained roadways controlled by a government agency, know that there are options available for your recovery.
With 100 years of combined experience as personal injury lawyers in MD, VA, and DC, the compassionate attorneys at Regan Zambri Long have the resources, experience, skills, and winning record to secure the compensation you and your family deserve to move forward from preventable events.
We have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for car accident victims in the Washington metropolitan area and can do the same for you.
For a no-obligation, free consultation, contact Regan Zambri Long at 202-960-4596 or by connecting with us online. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay until we win. No upfront costs. Just legal representation you can depend on.
