Pennsylvania Dangerous Roadways

Dangerous roadways can come in many different guises. Material failure, poor maintenance, improper signage and other issues can turn an otherwise safe stretch of road into a dangerous place to drive.

Dangerous Roadways: Catastrophic Failure

On August 13, 2007, 13 people died and over a hundred people were injured when the westbound lanes of the 1-35 Mississippi River Bridge in Minneapolis collapsed. The cause of the accident? Insufficient support plates dating from the bridge's opening in 1967.

The I-35 bridge tragedy illustrates the way that mistakes can compound other mistakes, leading to dangerous roadways that claim lives. Although engineers carefully calculate the load-bearing requirements of bridges and highways, mistakes can be made. In the case of the I-35 bridge, the mistakes of the engineers were compounded by a faulty design review process and an inadequate inspection process.

Dangerous Roadways: Problem Intersections

The Minnesota bridge disaster is an example of a design flaw exacerbated by mistakes in the review and inspection process. However, dangerous roadways do not always cause catastrophe.

Sometimes the human costs of a poor roadway design are spread out over time. Although roadway planners put their designs through a review process, mistakes can and do happen. Poorly-placed turning lanes, impaired visibility and other issues can create a "dead man's curve" effect.

As an intersection continues to cause dangerous truck accidents, a municipality should take steps to discover the cause of the accidents and fix these issues. If nothing is done, the municipality can be held liable for traffic accidents that occur.

Dangerous Roadways: Improper or Missing Signage

Something as simple as an obscured traffic control sign or the lack of proper traffic signals can increase the risk of a deadly accident. Tree limbs and other obstructions must be clear from traffic signs. If the municipality is aware of a difficult to read or an obscured traffic sign, but fails to correct the issue, they may be found liable in the event of an accident.

Missing signage that is not replaced promptly can also create unsafe roadways. If a municipality is aware of a critical traffic control sign such as a stop sign or a yield sign, it must be replaced due to safety and liability issues.

Dangerous Roadways: Insufficient or Obscured Pavement Markings

Roadway markings allow drivers to safely share the roads. However, those markings can be worn down by traffic and by the elements. If highway markings are allowed to deteriorate, drivers may veer into the wrong lane by mistake, creating the potential for serious accidents.

Dangerous Roadways: Poorly Maintained Roadways

Harsh winter storms and anti-icing chemicals take their toll on Pennsylvania's roads. The highways get no respite during the summer as ultraviolet radiation and high temperatures attack roadway surfaces. Add in the daily wear and tear put on our highway system, and the potential for dangerous roadway conditions in Pennsylvania due to poor maintenance is clearly present.

If you or a family member has been injured in an truck accident in Pennsylvania due to dangerous roadway conditions, call Anapol Schwartz for a free consultation. We have successfully prosecuted dangerous roadway cases for many years. Let our dedicated legal team guide you through the complex litigation process so that you can get the compensation that you deserve.

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