Dallas Hazardous Roadways Accident Lawyers

Hazardous Roadway Accident Attorneys in Dallas Who Win Big Cases

Although driving always comes with dangers, recent studies suggest that Dallas drivers should take extra care. A report by The Zebra, analyzing data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), ranked the I-20 highway as the second-deadliest highway in the United States and the I-35 as the 5th deadliest, both highways passing through Dallas. Furthermore, the American Society of Civil Engineers ranked the condition of Texas highways and roads as a dismal D+ in 2021.

While many factors can cause collisions, hazardous roadways continue to place Dallas drivers at risk, whether from poorly constructed, improperly maintained roads, or debris. If you or a loved one have suffered severe injuries caused by hazardous roads, contact The Lenahan Law Firm. We’ll find the best strategy to help you get maximum compensation to cover the cost of your medical bills and other expenses caused by the accident.

The independent rating agency Super Lawyers has recognized The Lenahan Law Firm for providing our clients with outstanding service, and we have a perfect 10.0 AVVO rating — call (214) 295-1008 for a free consultation with no time limit.

What Is a Hazardous Roadway?

Hazardous roadways are caused by neglect, incompetence, poor planning, and public officials who fail to allocate sufficient funds to maintain a safe and efficient transportation system. Factors that contribute to hazardous roadways include:

Faulty design. No amount of maintenance and workmanship can make up for a poorly planned road. When traffic engineers fail to consider how their designs will function in the real world, it causes nightmare scenarios for drivers. For example, interchanges that require drivers to cross several lanes of traffic in a short distance result in deadly collisions. Other hazardous design flaws include short on-ramps, lack of traffic signals, insufficient shoulders, improperly placed guardrails, no median barriers, poor lighting, inadequate truck runaway ramps, and steep drop-offs.

Weather conditions. Highway planners and construction crews can’t control the weather, but they can build roads with sufficient drainage and create enough room for snowplows to operate. Road crews must work quickly to repair damaged and impassable roadways caused by rain, ice, and snow. Whenever possible, highways should be designed to avoid high-wind corridors, which cause semi-trucks and other vehicles to lose control and swerve into adjacent lanes.

Substandard materials. Collapsed bridges and overpasses, massive potholes, structural failure, crumbling roads, and roads that wash out under heavy rainfall all result from materials that aren’t made to last.

Debris. If an accident results from debris that slides down a hillside, is left behind by work crews, or falls from a commercial vehicle such as a truck, the trucking company or another responsible party may be liable.

Inadequate maintenance. Improperly maintained roads cause crashes. Many drivers are injured due to large potholes or uneven surfaces, broken road signs that have not been replaced, faded lines, and malfunctioning traffic signals. In these cases, the party responsible for maintaining that area, whether private contractors, TxDOT, or another government agency, may be liable.

Poorly constructed roads. This includes roads and highways with improper grading, blind spots, confusing and inadequate signage, uneven pavement, and insufficient or excessive banking at curves. Several parties may be liable for poorly constructed roads that cause accidents, including contractors who performed negligent work.

Who Is Liable for Your Hazardous Roadway Injuries?

Depending on the circumstance, several parties may be liable for crashes caused by hazardous roads. This includes everyone responsible for building safe roads and performing regular repairs:

• Roadway designers
• Public agencies
• Private contractors
• Road crews
• Engineering firms
• Manufacturers and suppliers of defective materials

Steps to Take After a Hazardous Roadway Accident

There are important steps you can take to enhance your recovery and help secure a better settlement if you were injured in a collision caused by a hazardous roadway:

1. Call 911 and pull over to the side of the road when it’s safe.
2. Check on yourself and administer first aid to passengers who need it.
3. Capture photos of the accident scene, or have someone do it if you require immediate medical treatment.
4. See your doctor immediately and report any symptoms you are feeling, even if they don’t seem serious at the time.
5. Call The Lenahan Law Firm.
6. Don’t discuss accident details with friends or on social media.
7. Don’t sign any agreements offered by an insurance agent or make a recorded statement about the accident.

Getting Fair Compensation for a Dangerous Roadway Accident in Dallas

The Lenahan Law Firm will investigate the accident and file a claim or lawsuit against anyone whose negligent behavior contributed to your injuries. For you to get the compensation you deserve after a hazardous roadway accident, it’s crucial to find a law firm with the resources and experience to take on large companies and public officials. There are complex rules and filing schedules that must be followed.

Receiving compensation for your injuries ultimately requires establishing the cause of your accident and identifying the at-fault party. If the responsible party is the state or local government or municipality, the Texas Tort Claims Act outlines the circumstances in which legal action can be taken against these parties. You can also seek compensation from private sectors such as construction companies.

Compensation may be available for a range of economic and non-economic losses. The Lenahan Law Firm Insurance stands up against insurance companies that try to use underhanded tactics to minimize payouts in hazardous roadway accident claims, and we’re always prepared to take the other side to court if they refuse to make a reasonable offer.

When The Lenahan Law Firm files a hazardous roadway accident claim or lawsuit, it includes the following types of damages:

• Current and future medical bills
• Pain and suffering
• Reduced earning capacity
• Medical devices
• Disfigurement
• Medications
• Time missed from work
• Reduced quality of life
• In-home nursing care
• Physical therapy
• Wrongful death

Building Safer Dallas Roads

Recent technological advances aimed at enhancing road safety offer the ability to make better roads and reduce the number of injuries and fatalities caused by inadequate construction techniques. This includes longer-lasting materials, pavement that reduces runoff by allowing water to drain through surfaces, anti-icing roads, glow-in-the-dark road markings, and cloud-based, AI-assisted smart road technology.

Get Help from an Experienced Dallas Auto Accident Attorney Today

If you suffered severe injuries caused by a hazardous road accident in Dallas, The Lenahan Law Firm will ensure you are fully aware of your legal options, establish liability, and pursue a claim to help you get fair compensation.

Right after an accident, our Dallas car accident lawyers can ensure you collect the necessary information from the scene to strengthen your claim, such as a police report and witness details. We will also pursue all available avenues to establish liability, such as obtaining CCTV footage or having field experts perform a scene analysis.

Call us today at (214) 295-1008.