Injuries Caused by Poorly Designed or Constructed Roadways

The negligence or carelessness of other drivers is not the only cause of many motor vehicle accidents. Often, an accident could have been avoided, or was directly caused by the poor or negligent design or construction of the road. A curve may be too sharp for the posted speed. A turn may not be sufficiently banked to allow safe travel. The road may have been constructed with substandard materials or with unqualified workers, leading to unnecessary dangers. If you have been injured in a car, truck or motorcycle accident, and you believe that the design or construction of the road may have contributed to the accident, you want an experienced lawyer to help you pursue full and fair compensation for your losses.

The Todd J. Leonard Law Firm, has been representing families for over 25 years in all types of personal injuries, in Morris County, Sussex County, Union County, Essex County and throughout the State of New Jersey. Attorney Todd Leonard was selected as a New Jersey Super Lawyer in 2011. For a free initial consultation, contact our office online, or call us at (973) 920-7900.

The Dangers of Poor Road Design or Construction

The design or construction of any road must take a variety of factors into consideration:

• Hazardous curves must be avoided, or curves must be sufficiently banked to minimize risk of loss of control, including in wet or icy conditions.
• A poorly designed or constructed roadway may be prone to pooling of water, or to excessive accumulation of ice or snow, significantly increasing the danger for motor vehicle operators.
• The location and design of the road must take existing contours and structures into account, so that there are no impediments to visibility that can lead to accidents.
• Roads that go through hilly areas must take inclines and declines into consideration, particularly if the roads will be traveled by large commercial vehicles.
• Traffic patterns must also be examined to determine what type of signage is necessary, and whether traffic flow should be managed by stop signs or traffic lights.
• Roads must have adequate shoulders and avoid excessive drop-offs to address emergency situations.

Why You Want an Experienced and Knowledgeable Attorney

Typically, lawsuits alleging roadway design or construction defects will include governmental bodies as defendants (as well as engineers and private construction companies). Claims against governmental bodies can be complex, and may require a specialized knowledge of laws relating to governmental immunity from litigation.

Contact Our Office

We have a comprehensive knowledge of the laws and regulations governing roadway design or construction defects. For a free initial consultation, contact us by e-mail or call the office of the [fiirm-name], at (973) 920-7900. Se habla español.