Poor Road Condition Accidents in Los Angeles
Los Angeles sees a high number of traffic accidents every year. While the majority of motor vehicle accidents in Los Angeles County are caused by driver error, poor road conditions also contribute to a percentage of collisions. Understanding who may be responsible for paying for a car accident caused by road defects can help you protect your legal rights as a victim.
What Is Responsible for Los Angeles’s Poor Road Conditions?
Los Angeles’s roads and freeways have a reputation for being in a perpetual state of disrepair. The state of the city’s roads is attributable to factors such as extremely high volumes of traffic causing immense wear and tear, as well as high heat and harsh sunlight causing damage to the asphalt. These issues can lead to damaged and dangerous roadways.
What Road Conditions Can Cause Car Accidents in Los Angeles?
Many different types of road hazards and defects can contribute to car accidents in Los Angeles County, including:
- Potholes and cracks
- Uneven road surfaces
- Debris in the road
- Flooding from poor infrastructure
- Faded road markings
- Missing reflectors and guardrails
- Malfunctioning traffic lights
- Problematic road designs
- Road construction and detours
These issues can cause car accidents such as vehicle “trips” and rollovers, tire blowouts, losses of vehicle control, and swerving accidents.
Who Is Liable for a Crash Caused By a Dangerous LA Roadway?
California’s at-fault car insurance system allows an injured victim to hold the at-fault party liable, or financially responsible, for an accident. The fault-based insurance law requires the party that caused the crash to pay for the victim’s medical bills and property damage.
When a dangerous road defect causes an accident, the government agency responsible for roadway safety can often be held liable. The city and state government are responsible for maintaining public roads within their jurisdictions. If there are issues that the city knew or reasonably should have known about, such as missing signage or severe potholes, the city has a duty to take action and plan repairs as soon as possible.
Important Considerations for Claims Against the Government in California
If the government agency responsible for roadway maintenance and safety falls short of its duty of care, it can be held liable for related motor vehicle accidents. These cases abide by a special set of rules under the California Tort Claims Act. This law permits citizens to sue the government outside of the rule of sovereign immunity, which protects governments from liability, in certain circumstances.
If the government is guilty of negligence, or of failing to act with proper care, in connection with an injury or death, it can be held civilly liable for damages. If you wish to bring a claim against the government in Los Angeles, you must file the initial paperwork within just six months of your automobile accident. This is a special statute of limitations that applies to government cases. Contact an attorney right away to comply with the Tort Claims Act.
How a Lawyer Can Help With Your Road-Related Car Accident in Los Angeles
Road defect accidents in Los Angeles can raise many complex legal questions. You may have the right to file a claim against the state or local government, which comes with special rules and considerations. Accident cases involving the government have many unique elements that are best left to a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer to handle. An experienced attorney in Los Angeles will know how to hold a government agency or a third party legally accountable for your crash and related injuries. Your lawyer can negotiate with insurance providers to maximize your payout, for example, or bring your car accident case to trial. Meanwhile, you can get the medical care you need to heal and recover. Contact Rose, Klein & Marias LLP today for a free evaluation of your case.