Most drivers and pedestrians understand dangers of distracted, drunk or reckless driving. But how many understand danger underfoot? What happens when the road beneath your car is at fault for your accident?
A non-profit transportation watchdog, The Tri-State Transportation Campaign recently released an analysis of dangerous roads for pedestrians in New Jersey, downstate New York, and Connecticut. The group reports Hempstead Turnpike remains the most dangerous road in the study area, with 15 pedestrian fatalities between 2008 and 2010 on a 16-mile stretch of road. Broadway in Manhattan and Sunrise Highway (SR-27) in Suffolk rounded out the top three most dangerous streets.
Recommendations to reduce pedestrian fatalities include more crossing areas, longer crossing periods and better enforcement of speed limits.
While pedestrians face dangerous conditions when mixing with cars on poorly designed streets, motorists may not understand the danger of a roadway until too late.
Drivers injured in accidents caused by defective design or negligent roadway maintenance may have a cause of action against the state or a local municipality. Common roadway dangers include:
- Insufficient lighting
- Poorly designed or missing signage
- Inadequately staged or regulated road construction areas
- Poorly graded curves
- Worn or crumbled roadway surfaces
- Poor or blocked drainage
- Inappropriate guard rail placement
- Unprotected shoulder drop-offs
If injured in a dangerous intersection or roadway, there is usually a short period to file notice of claim with the appropriate governmental agency. If hurt by flawed road design, call us today.
