Common Road Hazards in Texas
Road hazards are a common problem in Texas, and they sometimes result in serious vehicle accidents.
Typical Road Hazards
Some of the most common Texas road hazards include:
- Broken traffic signals. Cities sometimes fail to repair traffic lights promptly. Malfunctions can cause drivers to miss red lights, leading to a serious intersection collision.
- Potholes. Potholes are the result of improper road construction and maintenance. When water enters and weakens the soil beneath a road, traffic can wear out and break the poorly-supported asphalt. Potholes can be prevented by ensuring the road is constructed with adequate drainage structures, and preventative maintenance allows potholes to be repaired before they create a hazard. When municipalities fail to repair potholes, they put motorists, motorcycle riders, and bicyclists at risk. Motorists may lose control when swerving to avoid a pothole, and a motorcyclist or bicyclist who hits a pothole may be thrown from his bike.
- Overgrown vegetation. Trees and bushes that aren’t trimmed back present multiple road hazards. Overgrown vegetation obscures stop signs and traffic signals, causing collisions at intersections. Old, rotten trees might fall into a roadway, striking a vehicle or causing a driver to swerve off the road.
- Construction equipment. Negligent city or state work crews may create hazards while trying to repair roads. Equipment, machinery, and vehicles improperly parked on the shoulder or unexpectedly impeding the flow of traffic can cause a serious collision.
You Need an Attorney
If you’ve been injured in a vehicle collision caused by road hazards, the state of Texas, the county, or the municipality charged with road upkeep might be held liable for the harm you’ve suffered. Other motorists may also be liable for the accident if they negligently reacted, or failed to react, to the road hazard.
The potential liability of multiple parties complicates these cases, so you need an experienced vehicle accident attorney to help you receive the compensation you deserve. To learn more about what the law offices of Steve M. Lee, P.C., can do for you, visit us on Facebook.