Injury car accidents are predominantly caused by human error, yet the environment in which the crash took place factors into 28% of all collisions. That Portland’s roads are in severe disrepair is no secret; since 1988 City Council has tried to address road paving but has fallen short. Funds that should have gone toward transportation expenses have been allocated to everything but fixing the roads for more than 20 years. Today, over half of Portland’s roads are officially in “poor” or “very poor” condition.
On top of city streets, interstate highways and bridges are falling apart throughout the country at an alarming rate. According to a report by Steve Kroft of CBS, nearly 70,000 bridges in the country are considered “structurally deficient.” Roads and bridges are falling apart quicker than they can be repaired. The design of the roads themselves can also exacerbate conditions conducive to auto accidents. If you’ve been hurt in an accident that was provoked by poor highway design in Portland, you could be entitled to compensation for your losses.
What Contributes to Poor Highway Design?
It may be difficult to prove that poor highway design was a significant factor that led to your accident and the resulting injuries you have suffered. There are a few indications that a flaw in the physical design of the road or highway contributed to your accident:
- You drove on an intersection or strip of highway with a reputation for accidents
- Lack of traffic signals, malfunctioning traffic light, or yield signs to direct the flow of traffic
- No street lights on a dark road at night
- Improper drainage
- Overgrown foliage
- Hazardous road or highway conditions caused by weather or damage to pavement
- Missing guardrails on curves or along steep embankments
- Insufficient barriers between lanes going opposite directions
All of these conditions can lead to a devastating car accident. Serious injuries for which you may receive compensation in Oregon include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Fractured bones
- Internal injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Burns
- Paralysis
Who is Liable?
The government has a duty to support traffic safety by improving road conditions and reducing the number of accidents that take place on the roadways. It may be possible to go after several government entities, including the specific municipality, county, or the state of Oregon, when pursuing a highway design accident claim. Attorney Richard Rizk has decades of experience holding all the responsible parties accountable and pursuing just settlements on behalf of his clients.
Having worked as a former insurance defense attorney and claims examiner, Richard Rizk understands the strategies used by insurance companies to award a minimal settlement or completely deny a claim. He has worked on several complex personal injury cases in which multiple parties may be liable for damages and has successfully litigated dozens of cases. Do not settle for a lowball offer; call 503.245.5677 and speak to a Portland car accident lawyer about your potential lawsuit.