A lot of truck accidents happen because of driver error or vehicle malfunction. Surprisingly enough though, road design plays a significant role in many collisions. While the truck or the driver may be easy to blame, the layout and condition of roads can create dangerous situations that result in accidents.
A deeper investigation into an accident may reveal that poor road design caused it. Legally, various entities can be held accountable if their negligence or failure played a role in causing a crash. In that case, who is really at fault?
Read on to examine the complexities in cases where a road’s design leads to a truck accident, and find advice if you’re in a scenario where you’re not sure who’s liable.
How Road Design Leads to Truck Accidents
Since the size, weight, and handling characteristics of trucks are significantly different from passenger cars, they pose unique challenges. Highways, bridges, and city streets are meant to accommodate various types of vehicles, but some of them are not designed well for heavy commercial traffic. Narrow lanes, sharp turns, inadequate signage, and improper grading create dangerous conditions for heavy trucks.
Several road design elements that can contribute to truck accidents include:
- Narrow Lanes and Shoulders: More road space is required for trucks to maneuver safely. They can be forced into dangerous positions by narrow lanes and shoulders. These can force trucks to veer into adjacent lanes or have insufficient space to correct errors and avoid obstacles.
- Improperly Banked Curves: Trucks have a higher center of gravity and are more prone to rollover accidents. Improperly designed curves on roads can increase that risk. Curves that are not graded or banked, meaning the outer edge of the curve is elevated higher than the inner edge, can be more difficult for heavy vehicles to maintain control when driving on. Banked curves help counteract lateral forces that would push a vehicle outward while it turns. The grading of a turn can impact a truck’s ability to drive on it.
- Inadequate Signage: Since trucks are heavier, they need advanced warning to slow down or adjust to upcoming changes on the road. If the signage on a row is poor or nonexistent, it can leave truck drivers with little time to react, creating a higher risk for accidents.
- Dangerous Intersections: Large trucks require more space and time to safely make turns or stops. Many intersection designs don’t take into account the space needed to account for trucks’ turning radius or stopping distance. Intersections with poor designs, such as tight corners, narrow lanes, or insufficient signage, are particularly dangerous for trucks. Intersections like these can result in sharp and sudden turns, sideswipes, collisions, and tip-overs.
- Weak or Deteriorating Infrastructure: As trucks become larger and heavier, infrastructure in some places across the U.S. has not been updated to support them. Old bridges and overpasses designed without considering the weight of modern trucks can have potholes, cracks, and uneven surfaces that can lead to accidents. In high-traffic areas where trucks pass through, old infrastructure is a hazard.
Who’s Responsible for a Truck Accident Caused by Road Design?
For a truck accident that was caused by poor road design or lack of infrastructure maintenance, naming a responsible party is difficult. In this type of complex situation, the following parties may share responsibility for an accident:
- Government Agencies: The local, state, and federal government agencies responsible for the design and maintenance of roads can be responsible for an accident that occurs because of road design. These agencies can be liable if they inadequately funded projects, failed to implement safety standards, or ignored known hazards.
- Contractors and Engineers: Contractors and engineers are responsible for building safe roads. They can be liable for negligence if errors are made during the construction process or if a road is improperly designed. Failing to adhere to safety codes and standards can also make them liable for accidents that happen on their roads.
- Private Entities: In situations where private businesses are responsible for their roadways, such as with businesses and private neighborhoods, the negligent maintenance or design of roads can make owners liable.
- Trucking Companies and Drivers: Even in situations where road design causes or contributes to an accident, a truck driver and the company are still responsible for safety procedures. Drivers are responsible for staying alert and handling hazards on the road. Driver errors can include failing to adjust to speed, ignoring signage, or operating in unsafe conditions. Depending on the situation, a driver or another party may be responsible for a truck accident.
Legal Options If You’ve Been Involved in a Truck Accident
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident caused by poor road design, you may be able to pursue legal action against the responsible parties. Truck accident claims involving road design are more complex, often requiring extensive investigation and expert testimony. That’s why it’s crucial to have a lawyer with experience in truck accident cases and knowledge of government liability and engineering standards.
Truck accident victims may be able to legally pursue compensation from responsible parties, whether it be a government agency, a contractor, or a truck driver. If you’ve been involved in an accident with a truck that occurred because of road design, your case will be more complex and will require an experienced attorney to help. Seek extensive investigation and expert testimony from someone who has knowledge of truck accident cases, government liability, and engineering standards.
Learn more about your rights and explore more law-related topics to protect yourself in case of an accident. From knowing what to do after an accident, to understanding who’s liable, staying informed is essential.
How a Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
A Meriden truck accident lawyer advises people in this situation to work with a truck accident lawyer because truck accident claims are difficult to navigate, due to the laws surrounding them. Unlike motor vehicle accidents, these claims involve many different laws and complex factors. Seek help from an experienced truck accident lawyer who can identify whether poor road design was a factor in your accident and which parties should be held accountable.
