In a previous post, we discussed a devastating accident that occurred in California that left a father and his child in critical condition. That full post can be read here. The accident happened on a stretch of road that is known to be particularly dangerous to pedestrians, due to obstructed signage and poor placement of a crosswalk.
That area, as well as countless other dangerous areas like it, poses a threat to people on the road because the way it is designed does not fit well with how it is used. When these types of conditions are not addressed, there are legal options that people have if they have been involved in an accident.
In situations involving hazards caused by government negligence, it may be possible to file a lawsuit against the government. These cases can be more complicated than personal injury claims against other individuals, but they can ultimately end the same way: with damages awarded to victims who have been injured by negligence.
For example, if a person was injured in an accident because the design of a road proves to be dangerous or if a road is poorly maintained and presents a hazard to motorists or pedestrians, there may be grounds to file a claim against the government.
Too often, people make the mistake of assuming that they have no legal options to file a lawsuit against the government. They believe that they can only sue another driver or a company for negligence. This can be a costly mistake to make, as the government can certainly be held liable should its action or inaction be responsible for causing accident injuries.
However, it is important to understand that time, resources and liability laws can be of critical importance in cases involving claims against the government, so it can be crucial to speak with an attorney in order to better understand what is at stake and what needs to be done.