Poor Road Design Can Cause Accidents

Most car accidents in Florida (and across the country) are the result of human error, like ignoring a traffic signal, speeding, or driving while distracted. Other factors, however, including roadway design can contribute to collisions. When this happens, accident victims can often hold the government agency or private contractor who was responsible for the design or construction of the roadway in question responsible for their accident-related losses. Unfortunately, filing this type of claim can be complicated, which is why it’s so important for injured parties who find themselves in this situation to reach out to an attorney for advice before filing a claim.

Adequate Signage 

A safely designed roadway is about more than just a properly paved surface, but involves a number of interconnecting factors, including signage. Clear and visible road signs are the foremost line of communication between drivers and the road, signaling speed limits, potential hazards, and upcoming turns or grades. Communicating the rules of the roads and possible dangers ensures that drivers can make informed decisions. When these signs are lacking or misleading, all road users are put at risk.

Safe Intersections 

Intersections are one of the most common sites for car accidents, as these locations see the convergence not only of vehicles, but also pedestrians and cyclists. To help prevent accidents between these roadway users, city planners are tasked with carefully designing intersections that incorporate safety features, like crosswalks, traffic lights, and stop signs. A poorly designed intersection that lacks some or all of these features puts all road users at risk, not only leading to confusion and congestion, but to collisions as well.

Lane Configuration 

How roadways are laid out has a big influence on both traffic flow and safety. This is why city planners must use a lot of care when engaged in roadway design, ensuring that there are adequate merging lanes and shoulders, as well as appropriate lane capacity. Failing to plan appropriately could result in confusing road markings that in turn require abrupt lane changes, increasing a driver’s chances of being involved in a crash.

Visibility and Lighting 

Visibility is a critical part of safe driving, especially when the conditions are less than perfect due to the weather or nighttime hours. Proper lighting, well-placed streetlights, and reflective road markings at proper intervals can help alleviate these problems, and reduce the overall chances of being involved in an accident. Unfortunately, not all roadways have adequate lighting, which can prove dangerous for road users of all types, including motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Call Today for Legal Assistance 

If you were in a car accident because of missing street signs, poor lighting, or another type of roadway design problem, you could have a legal claim against the government. Pursuing these types of claims, however, can be difficult, as claimants must abide by special rules and deadlines. Fortunately, at Anderson & Anderson, we are well-versed in these rules, so don’t hesitate to reach out to our experienced Tampa car accident lawyers for help seeking compensation for your accident-related losses. You can set up a free consultation by calling our office at 813-251-0072 or by sending us an online message.

Sources: 

highways.dot.gov/public-roads/winter-1995/interactive-highway-safety-design-model-accident-predictive-module

flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/401/Analyses/h0401a.CJS.PDF