Although negligent drivers cause most serious car accidents, sometimes the issue is not with fellow drivers, but with the roadway. Design defects such as an unsafe infrastructure, uneven shoulders, or a malfunctioning traffic light can cause major collisions in New York City. If you or a loved one has injuries from a crash you believe may relate to a dangerous roadway design, contact our lawyers to request a free consultation.
Why Choose Us?
- We have years of experience handling all types of car accident claims, including those involving roadway design defects and city liability.
- We have the experience and resources to go up against city defendants, their insurance companies, and/or their attorneys.
- We have achieved great success in results for past clients, obtaining more than $2 billion in the last 10 years.
- We take all cases on a contingency basis, meaning we do not charge clients for our legal services unless we win a settlement or verdict.
Why You Need a Lawyer
Negotiating a roadway design defect case can be difficult. Unless you were on private property when the crash occurred, your case will be against the government. Pursuing compensation from the government involves different rules than typical crash claims, including a shorter statute of limitations.
A lawyer can help strengthen your case by carrying out tasks such as preserving and gathering important evidence on your behalf. A lawyer can also take over insurance claim negotiations, ensuring that no one takes advantage of you. Hiring an attorney can give you peace of mind during your case.
The Danger of Defective Roadway Designs
It is up to city and roadway planners to create safe and effective roadway designs. Road designs should use proven safety strategies to keep drivers and other roadway users as safe as possible. In addition, roadway maintenance teams must continue proper upkeep to prevent hazards that could cause accidents. A defective roadway design could contain a variety of dangers.
- Unsafe intersection design
- Lack of proper barriers or guardrails
- Defective/malfunctioning traffic control devices
- Uneven or defective roadway surface
- Improper roadway striping
- Lack of or hidden roadway signs
- Insufficient shoulder
- Lack of proper sight distance
- Dangerous curve
New York City roadway design defects could result in serious car, bicycle, and pedestrian accidents and personal injuries. It is important for victims to consult with attorneys about their cases to find out if they have grounds for a claim against the roadway planner or maintenance crew. A claim could yield financial compensation for past and future crash-related damages.
Determining Liability
New York City is legally responsible for ensuring the safety of its roadways, intersections, crosswalks, and sidewalks. Failure to fulfill this responsibility, resulting in a preventable roadway accident, is negligence. If you wish to file a claim with the city or state for roadway design defects, you must file an official notice with the correct entity within 90 days of your accident. Missing your deadline typically results in losing your right to file for compensation.
In New York, comparative negligence laws enable more than one party to share liability for your defective roadway design accident. More than one defendant could mean better odds of securing fair compensation. One of our attorneys can investigate your crash and help you determine the at-fault party or parties. If you have grounds to file a claim against the government, we can help with the complex claims process.
Contact Us Today
At Sullivan Papain Block McManus Coffinas and Cannavo, P.C., we have years of experience handling car accident claims for clients. We know how to negotiate these cases to our clients’ best interests. Our lawyers put clients’ needs first, and fight for fair recovery through all available outlets. If defective roadway design caused you or a loved one’s injuries in NYC, contact us to schedule a free consultation.