When Potholes Or Malfunctioning Traffic Lights Cause Collisions

Traffic accidents are often associated with driver mistakes, but not every collision is solely the fault of a driver. Roadway conditions can be just as dangerous as reckless driving. When hazards like deep potholes, broken pavement, or malfunctioning traffic lights cause or contribute to an accident, questions of liability come to light.

Determining liability requires a careful look at who was responsible for maintaining the roadway and whether their failure created an unsafe condition. If you were hurt in connection with a damaged road, an experienced Florida personal injury lawyer can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

How Road Conditions Contribute to Accidents

Hazards on the road can make even the most cautious driver vulnerable. A deep pothole may cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle, resulting in a collision with another car. A traffic light stuck on red or green can create confusion, leading to serious intersection crashes. Other dangerous conditions include missing road signs, poor drainage that causes flooding, or inadequate lighting on busy streets.

When road conditions play a role in an accident, liability isn’t always straightforward. Multiple parties may share responsibility, including:

• Government entities. In many cases, city, county, or state agencies are responsible for maintaining safe roadways. If a government agency fails to repair a known pothole or neglects to fix a faulty traffic signal in a reasonable time, they may be held liable.
• Private contractors. Sometimes, private companies hired to maintain roads, install signage, or repair signals may be at fault if their negligence contributed to the hazard.
• Even when a road defect is involved, drivers may still share responsibility if they were speeding, distracted, or otherwise acting carelessly when the accident occurred.

Pursuing a claim against a government agency is not as simple as filing a standard lawsuit. In Florida, strict rules apply when suing state or local governments, including notice requirements and damage caps. Missing a deadline or failing to follow these procedures could prevent you from recovering compensation, which is why partnering with an injury attorney is critical.

Evidence Is Key to Protecting Your Rights

Proving liability in hazardous road condition cases often requires thorough investigation. Photographs of the road risk, witness statements, maintenance records, and accident reports can all help establish what happened. In some cases, accident reconstruction experts may be used to show how a pothole or faulty signal directly led to the collision. Without strong evidence, insurance companies and government agencies are likely to dispute responsibility.

After being injured in a Florida accident involving poor road conditions, it’s important to act quickly. Roads can be repaired and traffic signals fixed within days, erasing evidence. By contacting a Florida personal injury lawyer as soon as possible, you increase your chances of holding the right parties accountable and securing compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.

Are you healing after being hurt in an accident on a broken road? Have a conversation with the attorneys at Spencer Morgan Law. Call 305-423-3800 to schedule a confidential consultation.