What if My Accident Was Caused by Poor Road Conditions or Construction Zones?
A flat tire can ruin your day, but it is especially frustrating if caused by a tool left behind in a construction zone, pothole, or other roadway condition. If your accident was caused by a roadway defect or poor conditions, liability may lie with the city, state, or municipality responsible for maintaining the road.
The damage to your vehicle may be extensive, costing you thousands of dollars to repair. Above all else, you should not bear the cost of restoring your vehicle to its previous condition. In this blog, our Nashville car accident attorneys discuss the types of roadway hazards and your legal options.
Common Roadway Hazards
Common hazards on Nashville roads include:
- Potholes
- Uneven pavement
- Rutted roads
- Tools or heavy machinery left behind in construction zones
- Poor drainage
- Lack of traffic lights or signals
- Dangerous intersections
- Slippery or wet roads
Evidence Used to Prove Liability
Establishing the responsible party’s negligence is a must for you to secure the compensation you deserve. Collecting strong evidence is crucial to demonstrating that the state, city, or local government knew about the hazard but failed to fix the problem. Typical evidence may include:
- Photos of the road hazard
- Photos of shredded tires, broken fenders, and other debris from the accidents
- Previous police reports regarding the defect or hazard
- Statements from eyewitnesses
- Expert witness testimony, including statements from accident reconstructionists
- Police report of the accident
Filing an Accident Claim with TDOT
If a detrimental condition on a state-operated road or highway resulted in vehicle damage or injuries, you may file a claim with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). To recover, you must prove the following:
- That the condition directly caused your accident
- The exact location of the accident and repair invoices
- Evidence that the state government was aware of the condition prior to your accident
- Evidence that the state could have remedied the issue and neglected to do so
Guidance from Resourceful Counsel
At Raybin & Weissman, our Nashville car accident lawyers understand the emotional toll that a crash can have on someone. If your accident was caused by a roadway defect or dangerous condition, our personal injury attorneys are trained to gather pertinent information to prove the link between your losses and which entity was responsible for maintaining safe conditions. Our Nashville car accident lawyers have helped car accident victims recover compensation for the following:
- Lost wages
- Ambulatory services
- Emergency room care
- Surgeries and procedures
- Vehicle repairs or actual cash value (ACV)
- Mental anguish
- Infliction of emotional distress
- Loss of society, companionship, and consortium
Speak with a Nashville Car Accident Attorney Today
If you or a loved one have recently fallen victim to a collision caused by the state or local government’s failure to maintain reliable conditions, the Nashville car accident lawyers at Raybin & Weissman would like to speak with you. Our team of attorneys has been assisting individuals impacted by dangerous road conditions in central Tennessee for almost 40 years, and we are ready to assist you. To learn more, contact us online or give us a call at 615-256-6666 to schedule your complimentary consultation.