Flaws In Highway Design That Cause Accidents
As a Baton Rouge, LA truck accident lawyer with deep roots in the community, we at Palmintier Law Group understand how inadequate highway design can lead to serious injury and that those responsible must be held accountable. Our attorneys bring over 80 years of combined experience, and we’ve recovered over 1 billion dollars for clients who have suffered due to dangerous road conditions.
Hazardous Curves And Sharp Turns
Highways with excessively sharp curves are particularly perilous for large commercial trucks. Because trucks need wider arcs to maneuver safely, tight bends can easily result in loss of control and catastrophic crashes. If you are driving through an area such as this, take your time and go slow.
Obscured Or Inadequate Signage
Truck drivers need timely, clear signs to adjust their speed and anticipate hazardous turns or lane changes. Poorly placed or hidden signs prevent this, increasing the likelihood of accidents.
If you are driving around a truck, give them a wide berth.
Lack Of Shoulders And Inadequate Traffic Flow Space
Roadways without proper shoulders or safe pull-off zones leave no room for drivers to avoid sudden hazards or stop safely. This makes accidents even more dangerous when brake response or evasive maneuvers are limited.
Poor Drainage And Road Surface Design
When roadways lack proper drainage or have defective shoulders, water can accumulate, creating skids, hydroplaning, or unexpected stops by truck drivers. Designs that don’t account for water runoff pose a serious threat to commercial vehicle safety. If it starts to rain and you notice standing water on the roadway, slow down and get off on an exit if possible until the storm passes.
Hidden View Obstructions
Obstructed sightlines due to overgrown vegetation, poorly placed billboards, or structural design flaws reduce a driver’s reaction time and ability to anticipate hazards, especially in fast-moving truck corridors. These can also contribute to poor lighting which decreases visibility even further.
Why This Matters To You
Truck accidents caused by poor highway design can result in severe, life-altering injuries. This is due in part simply to the size of the trucks versus other cars on the roadway. Victims often face overwhelming medical bills, lost income, and emotional trauma. Holding negligent parties, whether state or local agencies, responsible for unsafe road design is vital, and can provide the compensation needed for recovery.
That’s where we come in. Our experienced truck accident attorneys will:
- Investigate the roadway design and maintenance history
- Collaborate with transportation safety and engineering experts
- Identify liable parties, which may include government entities
- Help you pursue claims under the Louisiana Governmental Claims Act
- Fight to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more
At Palmintier Law Group, you’re not alone in seeking justice. Whether roadway design flaws caused your truck accident or defective signage contributed to the crash, our team is ready and we’ve got the resources to back you up. Let us put our 80 years of combined experience and history of recovering over 1 billion dollars to work for you. Contact us today to get started on your case.