Many roads in Texas are in desperate need of improvements. Poorly designed and neglected road networks can increase the rate of accidents. From potholes to faded lane markers on highways, these all create serious dangers for motorists.
Texas has hundreds of thousands of miles of roads, many of which are not maintained by the state government. These roads are left in the care of local governments that may not have the budget for repairs. They may also have different priorities when it comes to infrastructural needs. With so many people on these failing roads, it’s little wonder why there are so many car accidents.
How Do Failing Road Infrastructures Contribute to Car Accidents?
When roads are poorly maintained, they can cause more than an uncomfortably bumpy ride. Roads can deteriorate to the point that they become incredibly dangerous, making it easy for them to cause auto accidents. Potholes, broken concrete, uneven road surfaces, crumbling roadways, exposed rebar, cracks, and fading or missing road markers are just a few of the things that tend to fall by the wayside.
If you hit a large pothole while driving, it could cause your tire to blow out and send you veering across the traffic lanes. Uneven road surfaces can make you lose control, causing you to roll over and injure yourself, your passengers, and people in other vehicles.
Poor signage is another huge problem on Texas roads. Many signs are not designed properly and can lead to confusion on the road. Malfunctioning stop lights are another concern for motorists.
Additionally, when these roadways are deficient, they do not drain properly, causing flooding that leads to fatalities.
Who Is Responsible for Maintaining These Roads?
State and local governments must maintain roads so that they are safe for everyone. Unfortunately, the state government and local entities may squabble about who is responsible for a particular road. Amid all this arguing, they continue to let these roads worsen. When governments do not fulfill their obligations for maintaining the roads, it’s an act of negligence, one that may make them liable for your damages.
Naturally, it’s not easy to get compensation from state or local governments. Car accident cases that involve these entities can be exceedingly difficult. First, you must determine if this poorly maintained road was under the jurisdiction of state or local government.
Then, you must prove that this entity knew about the need for maintenance and failed to take prompt action to repair it or that this issue was a problem for enough time that they should have known.
To prove that a government agency in Texas is liable for your car accident, you will need detailed evidence. Roadway surveys and documents can be helpful, but most people do not have the resources to command these items.
The burden of proof that you must fulfill is massive to show the government is liable for your accident. This is why it’s essential to work with a car accident attorney on these legal matters. Your attorney can speak with residents who live on or near the hazardous roadway to get statements about how long the road has not been maintained.
Lawyers have the resources needed to get these crucial surveys and documents that could prove that these dangers on the road were known yet nothing was done to repair them. They will also ensure that you file your lawsuit before the statute of limitations runs out, allowing you to stand up to these entities and seek the compensation you rightfully deserve.
