Columbus Defective Roadway Accidents Attorneys

Even as motor vehicles continue to get safer, no vehicle can be completely safe and accidents can’t be prevented roadways are defective or dangerous. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a vehicle accident that was caused by a defective roadway in the Columbus area, you may be eligible for financial compensation. The car accident lawyers at Rinehardt Injury Attorneys have decades of experience handling defective roadway accident cases and will do everything possible to get you the compensation you deserve to pay for the losses you have suffered.

The leading cause of car accidents across the country is driver negligence or error, but that doesn’t mean all car accidents are the fault of the person behind the wheel. And while you may believe you are a safe and responsible driver, you can’t prepare for a stretch of road or a turn that was poorly designed, constructed, or maintained by a government entity.

Roadway defects can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles, endangering themselves and other motorists, cyclists, or pedestrians. Victims of these types of accidents suffer serious financial repercussions on top of physical and emotional injuries.

Along with hospital bills and rehabilitation costs, you may also miss significant time from work. Without a steady paycheck, you may be struggling to pay for basic necessities, creating an inordinate amount of stress for you and your family.

Government entities are responsible for carefully and properly designing and maintaining roads or bridges, and when they fail to live up to these responsibilities, the consequences can be dire. Our team of experienced and skilled Columbus defective roadway accidents lawyers can take proper legal action to hold these government entities responsible. To ensure you have the best possible chance at recovering compensation, you need an attorney with a background in defective roadway cases.

At Rinehardt Injury Attorneys, we not only have the extensive experience needed, but we also have the resources and resiliency to see your case through. Learn more about your legal options by calling us today at (419) 529-2020 to schedule a free consultation.

Why Do I Need an Attorney?

Compared to other car accident lawsuits, defective roadway cases can be especially complex. Unlike a car accident where one driver is clearly at fault and you can take legal action against a single person, roadways are designed and maintained by federal, state, county, and city governments.

Along with the built-in complexities and frustrations that accompany any lawsuit against the government, there may be different procedures for each entity. In some cases, roads may be have been designed by an outside firm, funded by state tax dollars, and constructed by city workers, putting multiple parties potentially at fault.

Trying to take on a defective roadways case on your own can be intimidating, and without a legal background or education, nearly impossible. That’s why you need an experienced and dedicated defective roadway accidents lawyer who specializes in these cases by your side.

Along with handling every aspect of your case, a defective roadway accidents lawyer can talk with witnesses, call on industry experts, and build a solid argument against the government entity. A defective roadway accidents lawyer will also work to secure you the maximum settlement you are entitled to.

Insurance companies may try to offer you a one-time settlement to close the case quickly and move on. In most cases, this amount is nowhere near enough to cover all of your losses. A defective roadway accidents attorney will fight for fair compensation, even if it means taking your case to court.

Why Choose Rinehardt Injury Attorneys?

At Rinehardt Injury Attorneys, we’ve recovered millions in damages for our clients, getting the compensation they needed to get back on track and on with their lives. While most law firms do the bare minimum and take the first offer that comes their way, we leave no stone unturned and do not claim victory unless we receive every dollar you deserve.

The days, weeks, and months following a defective roadway accident can be precarious for you and your family. From finding a vehicle to replace your totaled one to figuring out how you’re going to pay the mountain of medical bills, the stresses related to an accident are real and all-consuming. Fortunately, there’s hope and you don’t have to face this time alone.

We empathize with you and will treat your case with the care, respect, and dedication it deserves. Each member of our team is committed to helping you through this terrible time and out to the other side.

While other people in your life may try to imagine that they know what you’re going through, Rinehardt Injury Attorneys has seen cases like yours before and knows what it takes to win. Don’t spend another day worried about your financial future. Contact the Columbus defective roadway accidents attorneys today and take control of your fate.

What Make a Road Unsafe?

Typically, the word defective is applied to consumer products you buy at a store like motor vehicles, children’s toys, and medication. Rarely do we ever think of a road as being inherently dangerous or defective.

While there isn’t a traditional transaction between consumers and government entities to travel on government-funded roads (excluding toll roads), citizens do fund these projects through their tax dollars, and they should expect driving surfaces that are safely designed, thoroughly maintained, and free of any hazards.

Roads are required to comply with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) standards. Additionally, all roadway signage must abide by Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) standards. When government entities cut corners or fail to live up to these standards, they are putting innocent lives in jeopardy.

If you believe your car accident was caused by a defective roadway, a Columbus personal injury lawyer at Rinehardt Injury Attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case to determine the condition of the road and whether the municipality in charge of designing or caring for it lived up to the AASHTO and MUTCD standards.

We will look at every detail of your accident, talk with any witnesses, and call on roadway construction experts to determine what caused your accident and who was responsible. Along with finding the cause of your defective roadway accident, we can also use our resources to determine whether the government entity knew about the problem beforehand and chose not to take appropriate action.

Common Examples of Defective Roadways

Not every bump or sharp turn can be considered a roadway defect. That’s why it’s essential you talk with a legal professional who can look at the details of your accident and determine whether you have a legitimate case moving forward.

Proving that the government agency was aware of the defect and failed to take action can also be complicated. Roadway defects can be classified into one of two categories: roads that are poorly designed and roads that are poorly maintained.

Contact a Columbus defective roadway accidents lawyer today if you believe your accident was caused by any of the following:

Potholes
Steep shoulder drop-offs without proper warning
Improper grading or uneven roads
A large amount of gravel or oil on the road
Tight curves that can’t handle vehicles at the posted speed limit
Trash or debris that should have been removed
Hidden, missing, or malfunctioning warning signs/signals
Overgrown trees and other foliage blocking stop signs
Narrow lanes or merging lanes that aren’t long enough
Construction zones that aren’t safely contained or established
Improperly contained debris, tools, or vehicles from a construction zone
Lack of street lights
Missing, uneven, or inadequate line striping and highway division
Bridge and tunnel defects
Poorly designed intersections
Damaged or missing guardrails

Depending on the details and location of your accident, the fault could lie with a city/county municipality or the state transportation department. In some cases, the government may try and claim sovereign immunity to avoid paying victims the compensation they deserve. A dedicated and aggressive attorney with knowledge of these kinds of cases can help you determine whether you have a claim.

Contact Rinehardt Injury Attorneys Today

Defective roadway lawsuits are unlike any other car accident claim because you are suing a government agency, which makes your case more complicated and involved. Government municipalities can arm themselves with a team of legal professionals, and in some cases, even the Attorney General.

The Columbus defective roadway attorneys at Rinehardt Injury Attorneys have been here before, know what to expect, and know how to build a strong argument to ensure you get the financial compensation you desperately need.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a car accident caused by a defective roadway, the time to act is now. At Rinehardt Injury Attorneys, we have a proven track record against the State of Ohio and city or county governments and we won’t rest until your case is settled.

To ensure you have the best chance at success and don’t miss your opportunity at taking legal action, speak with a Columbus car accident attorney today by calling (419) 529-2020 or complete our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.