A car accident caused by an unexpected road hazard can upend your life in a single moment. After such a scary accident, you may be dealing with physical pain, emotional trauma, and mounting medical bills. If this is the situation you find yourself in, you need help and fast.
Please know that after a road hazard accident in Connecticut, you likely have legal recourse for fast and fair compensation. That said, understanding who may be at fault is critical for pursuing the restitution you deserve.
The sooner liability for the accident is established, the faster you can get on the road to physical and financial recovery.
In this article, we will first discuss common road hazards and who may be liable for a road hazard accident in Connecticut. Then, we will consider a few factors that may impact your claim and the steps you should take to get compensation faster.
Common Road Hazards in Connecticut
No matter how safe a driver is, a road hazard or defect could cause an accident. Regrettably, hazardous conditions contribute to far too many injury accidents every year.
Road hazards that frequently result in accidents and injuries in Connecticut include:
- Potholes and uneven pavement: These conditions can easily lead to a tire blowout, damage vehicle suspension, or even cause a rollover accident.
- Snow and ice: When a road is poorly maintained or left untreated in the winter months, snow and ice can accumulate. Such slick conditions may then cause a driver to lose control of the vehicle.
- Standing water and slick surfaces: If a road is designed poorly or in a state of disrepair, rainwater may not drain or run off correctly. This can result in standing water, increasing the risk of hydroplaning. Additionally, slick surfaces caused by pollutants such as gas or oil pose a risk of car accidents.
- Loose gravel and debris: These can cause vehicles to skid or force sudden maneuvers, leading to collisions.
- Missing or obstructed signs and broken traffic lights: When road signs are missing or obstructed, or a construction zone or exit is poorly marked, accidents may result from driver confusion, unexpected lane changes, or sudden stops. Further, broken or malfunctioning traffic signals can lead to catastrophic accidents.
- Poor lighting: If the lighting on public streets is not maintained in good working order, a driver may fail to see potential road hazards.
- Construction debris: Tools, cones, and other construction materials left in the roadway can obstruct lanes and create hazardous driving conditions.
- Obstructed views: Overgrown foliage, untrimmed trees, or improperly placed signs can obstruct a driver’s line of sight, making it difficult to see potential dangers on the road ahead.
- Unexpected debris: Such things as storm debris, rocks, trash, furniture, or other unexpected items in the roadway may not leave a driver enough time to swerve or stop to avoid impact.
- Wildlife crossings: When an animal unexpectedly crosses the road or darts into traffic, a driver may end up hitting the animal or swerving off the road to avoid a collision.
Any of these road hazards, among others, could result in a serious personal injury accident. A well-practiced Connecticut personal injury attorney can help you determine the exact cause of your accident and who the responsible parties may be. Having a good attorney on your side is a key step in pursuing fast and fair compensation.
Potential Liability for Injuries Caused by Road Hazards in Connecticut
Depending on the circumstances of your accident, various parties could be held liable for your injuries. When car accidents are caused by road hazards, the entity or individual responsible for maintaining the road is often found responsible for what occurred. However, you may also be able to take legal action against others.
A municipal authority or government entity
Municipalities and other government agencies are responsible for adequately maintaining roads and highways to ensure safe driving conditions. If a government entity fails to repair known road hazards, such as a pothole or broken traffic signal, or clear debris within a reasonable time, it may be held liable for your accident.
Construction companies
Private construction contractors working on public roads may be liable if they fail to secure the work zone properly. What’s more, construction companies are required to place proper signage and traffic barriers and keep debris out of the roadway.
Failing to take these steps can create dangerous conditions that result in severe personal injury accidents.
Commercial vehicle drivers and their companies
The trucking industry requires commercial drivers to maintain their vehicles and ensure that cargo is properly secured. Thus, if debris falls from the truck and causes an accident, the driver could be liable for the ensuing accident.
Additionally, in personal injury cases involving company-owned vehicles, the driver’s employer may be held accountable if the company fails to enforce safety standards and load-securement protocols.
Manufacturers of equipment or materials used in road construction and maintenance
Manufacturers must ensure the performance and safety of the products and equipment they produce. If defective equipment or materials lead to hazardous road conditions, the manufacturer could have some liability for any resulting car accidents.
A personal injury attorney can examine the evidence and help you recover maximum compensation for your claim.
Private property owners
Private property owners must take reasonable care so that hazards do not extend from their property onto public roads. For instance, if gravel spills or a tree falls onto a public roadway, prompt action should be taken to clear the debris. When property owners fail to rectify a hazardous situation that leads to an accident on a public road, he or she may be liable for the resulting injuries.
When the Driver Is Partially Responsible for the Accident
Every individual is expected to drive in a reasonably safe and cautious manner on Connecticut roads. Drivers must remain vigilant for potential hazards in the roadway.
Under Connecticut’s comparative negligence law, if the driver's own actions contributed to the car accident, he or she may be found partially liable for the incident. This means if you were speeding, distracted, or otherwise careless when you encountered the road hazard, you may not be able to collect full restitution for the accident.
In Connecticut, you can still pursue compensation after a car accident as long as you are not found to be more than 50 percent at fault. Any compensation amount will be reduced by the amount of responsibility you bear.
How the Connecticut Statute of Limitations Impacts Road Hazard Injury Cases
In most cases, you have 2 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim in Connecticut. However, if your case involves a government entity, you may have even less time to bring it up. In some instances, you must provide a notice of a possible claim long before attempting to sue for compensation. If you fail to take fast legal action within the allowed time frame, you forfeit your right to appropriate compensation for your pain and suffering.
After a road hazard accident in Connecticut, it is advisable to consult a qualified attorney as soon as you can. He or she will ensure that no important deadlines are missed and that your case is resolved as fast as possible.
Steps to Take After an Accident Caused by Road Hazards in Connecticut
After sustaining injuries in a Connecticut road hazard accident, you will need to act fast, taking a number of actions to sue the responsible party successfully.
The following steps play an important role in the claims process after an accident:
- Act fast to seek medical attention
- Document the accident scene
- Report the road hazard to the authorities
- Notify your insurance company
- Consult a Connecticut personal injury attorney
- File an insurance claim
- Negotiate a settlement
- File a lawsuit in court if necessary
Taking these steps will create a record of the severity of your accident and put you on the path to recovering both economic and non-economic damages for your losses. Furthermore, having an attorney advocate on your behalf throughout the legal process will boost your case and bring you peace of mind.
Speak to Fast and Empathetic Personal Injury Lawyers About Your Connecticut Road Hazard Accident
If you or a loved one suffered injuries as a result of a hazardous roadway condition, compensation is deserved for the harm caused. Sometimes, justice means suing the responsible party.
We understand you may feel overwhelmed by the prospect of filing an insurance claim or pursuing a lawsuit in the midst of your recovery. This is no time to go it alone.
Cases involving road hazards can be complicated and often involve multiple players with deep pockets. You need a knowledgeable, fast, and assertive legal team on your side. The experienced personal injury lawyers at Gould Injury Law are here to take up the fight for you.
The sooner you contact us, the faster we can put our legal resources to work on your behalf. Call Gould Injury Law today at 888-WIN-FAST or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation. We are dedicated to helping injury victims like you regain their quality of life after an accident.
