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When negligent upkeep of roads leads to crashes

On Behalf of | Jan 31, 2025 | Car Accident

Road maintenance is an ongoing effort that helps to better ensure the safety of drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. When government agencies or private entities responsible for maintaining roads fail in their duties, the consequences can be catastrophic. Cracked pavement, potholes, poor signage and other road hazards caused by negligent upkeep can lead to serious crashes, resulting in injuries, property damage and even fatalities.

Negligent road maintenance can create hazardous conditions that directly contribute to crashes, including:

  • Potholes: Deep potholes can cause tire blowouts, vehicle damage and loss of control, especially at high speeds
  • Uneven Pavement: Sudden changes in road elevation can be dangerous for drivers and motorcyclists, leading to loss of balance or control
  • Faded Lane Markings: Poorly maintained or missing road markings can confuse drivers, increasing the risk of collisions
  • Inadequate Signage: Missing or damaged traffic signs, such as stop signs or speed limits, fail to provide necessary guidance to drivers
  • Debris or Obstructions: Unremoved debris, fallen branches or construction materials left on the road can cause sudden swerves and collisions
  • Poor Drainage: Standing water on roads due to blocked drains or improper grading increases the risk of hydroplaning.

Understandably, crashes caused by such conditions can leave injured travelers asking, “Who is responsible?”.

Holding those at fault accountable 

In California, maintaining safe roadways typically falls under the responsibility of government entities, including city, county and state agencies, depending on the jurisdiction of the poorly maintained road at issue. In some cases, private contractors may also be involved in construction or maintenance. When these parties fail to adequately maintain roads or address known hazards, they may potentially be held liable for accidents caused by their negligence.

Although road maintenance crash cases are typically complex, they can be resolved favorably. As such, it is often wise for those affected by such wrecks to seek legal guidance and support as soon as possible post-crash. 

 

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