In most cases, liability or fault for a car accident can be placed on a driver or other individual who was involved in the collision. But not all car accidents in Seattle or across Washington state are caused by driver error. In some situations, poor roadway or highway design can contribute to a serious accident that leaves a person with life-altering injuries.
Similarly, Washington state highways and roads which are under construction or renovation must have the proper warnings and markings so that drivers are aware of the dangers. If a state or city transportation department, construction company, or other type of organization was negligent and contributed in some way to an accident, our attorneys can help you hold them accountable for your injuries.
Importance Of Thorough Accident Investigation
Any time a person is seriously injured in a car accident, it's important that a thorough investigation is conducted to determine all possible contributing factors and responsible parties who might be held liable. The sooner an investigation takes place, the more likely that crucial evidence used to support a personal injury claim can be documented and preserved.
In certain situations, a government agency (such as the department of transportation for a city or state) or a private company (such as a general contractor or road construction company) can be held liable for roadway design issues. The burden of proof is relatively high and certain pieces of evidence must be obtained in order to prove that one of these entities is legally responsible.
The award-winning Seattle personal injury attorneys at Davis Law Group, P.S. are well-versed in the process of investigating a serious car accident when a potential highway design issue might be involved. The sooner you consult with an attorney about your car accident, the sooner you can ensure that all possible avenues of relief are pursued and that the responsible parties can be held responsible for negligence.
Featured Roadway Design Cases We Have Won
One of the more notable roadway design cases which was successfully resolved by the attorneys at Davis Law Group involved an elderly woman who crashed into a business at a confusing and poorly-designed intersection in Renton, WA. An innocent woman who had been working in the building died as a result of this crash.
Our investigation showed that there was a history of collisions at this particular intersection, and that the Washington State Department Of Transportation (WSDOT) was well-aware that the design of this intersection was contributing to crashes, resulting in an unacceptable risk of injury to the general public. People who were involved in auto accidents at this intersection had repeatedly reported that the design of the roadway was dangerous, but the state delayed making any changes.
We recovered a $1.4 Million settlement on behalf of our client in this case, which served as fair compensation to her family for their own damages and the loss of their loved one.
How Highway & Roadway Design Can Cause A Crash
There are a number of highway and roadway design issues that can be problematic and cause car accidents or make them worse than they would have been in the absence of the negligent design issue. Some of these problems include:
Roadway Hazards & Obstacles
Fallen trees that have not been attended to in a timely manner, car parts, debris, and other failing infrastructure can contribute to a serious car accident. Road work crews also sometimes leave construction equipment in the roadway or fail to properly secure a portion of the road that is under construction. These companies have a duty to keep drivers safe while they work.
Hazardous Surfaces
Poor drainage of an area can cause nearby roadways to be affected. If a government agency is negligent and it contributes to a car accident, the agency could be held liable for the victim’s injuries and other damages.
Poor Or Negligent Design
Intersections which are confusing or missing proper signage can cause motor vehicle collisions. Failing signals or conflicting directions can also cause crashes, and the government agency in charge of maintaining these intersections may be found legally responsible for an accident if it can be proven that the agency should have made improvements or knew of the dangers.
Insufficient Signals
Failure to implement better signals at an intersection which has a high rate of traffic collisions is an example of how a government agency might be held liable for an auto accident.
Negligent Road Work
When construction companies work on highways and roads, they must use proper warning signs and protective equipment so that drivers are not at risk of injury. If an accident occurs because a company failed to take the necessary precautions to keep a work zone safe, the company can be held liable for an innocent victim’s injuries, lost wages, and other damages.
Inferior Construction
If the actual road or a component of a roadway or highway fails or falters in the course of normal traffic, there are a number of companies, government agencies, and other entities which could be subject to liability. A thorough investigation is necessary to determine exactly who may be held responsible in such a situation.
Free Legal Consultation For Accident Victims
If you have been injured in an accident and you suspect that defective or dangerous roadway design played a role in the accident, contact the award-winning personal injury attorneys at Davis Law Group for a free case review. Our legal team will help you better understand your legal rights and how hiring a lawyer might be beneficial to your personal injury case.
Call our office in Seattle at (206) 727-4000 or use the confidential contact form on this page to have your case personally reviewed by our legal team. If we believe we can help improve the chances of a favorable resolution to your case, we'll meet with you for a free legal consultation.