On a daily basis, trucks of all shapes and sizes frequent the many interstates crisscrossing the State of Mississippi to transport goods throughout the U.S. As a result, it is not surprising to learn that trucking accidents within Mississippi and across the country are increasingly on the rise. In fact, nationwide statistics provide that there were over 500,000 trucking accidents in the U.S. last year, the majority of which were caused by driver negligence. However, a growing number of accidents unfortunately stem from poorly designed and maintained roads.
With regard to poor road design, it can expose truckers to a litany of unnecessarily dangerous hazardous. The following are a number of examples of improperly designed roads, such as:
- Improper road lighting
- Use of road materials that cannot withstand normal wear and tear
- Little to no shoulder lanes
- A lack of guardrails or medians
- Use of road materials that become unreasonably dangerous during bad weather
- Roads with confusing lanes
In addition to hazardous conditions caused by defectively designed roads, the failure to keep roads in proper repair can also result in serious trucking accidents. Examples of poorly maintained roads include:
- The presence of potholes
- Road signage that is blocked by overgrown vegetation
- Improperly manicured vegetation along the side of a road
- The regular failure of a municipality to clear ice and snow
Overall, it is important to understand that pursuing a legal claim for improperly designed and ill maintained roads can be extremely challenging since most roads and highways are publically owned and managed. In other words, the proper party who must be sued over contributing to and/or creating hazardous road conditions is usually a governmental entity. Unlike private parties to a lawsuit, a government entity can raise an immunity defense, which is an exemption to liability when a suit is brought against it without its prior consent. This is typically asserted by government actors when faced with a lawsuit stemming from an alleged lack of road maintenance or inadequate roadway design.
When bringing forth a personal injury claim against a government entity, is crucial that you consult with a Mississippi accident attorney experienced in handling these types of complex claims and also, in circumventing the governmental immunity defense. We all have the right to drive on safe roads, and governments that fail to ensure public safety in this regard should be held responsible for compensating its victims.
In light of the above, we encourage you to contact our seasoned Mississippi personal injury attorneys to find out more about your legal options and how to maximize your chances of obtaining the compensation that you deserve. We look forward to providing you with excellent legal representation.