Potholes, perpetual construction, and people’s inability to drive in the snow may be the butt of a lot of jokes around the water cooler, but dangerous weather conditions are involved in approximately 25 percent of all motor vehicle accidents each year in the U.S.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, truck accident, motorcycle accident, or other motor vehicle accident, you might not be aware that dangerous road conditions may have led to your injuries. Contact us today to learn about how you may be able to file an injury claim and recover financial compensation.
Call any of our offices to speak with a member of our legal team. We offer free and confidential consultations regarding your hazardous road condition accident in Bloomfield to find out how we can best serve your needs.
Common Road Hazards
To understand how hazardous road conditions factor into Bloomfield car crashes, we will first look at some common dangers experienced on our local roadways
- Debris — Debris and other materials from construction sometimes find their way onto New Jersey’s roads, which can lead to dangerous driving conditions.
- Damaged, uneven, or unfinished roads — Potholes, uneven pavement, and poorly maintained road surfaces can lead to flat tires and motor vehicle accidents.
- Weather conditions — While weather is not grounds for a personal injury claim, it is certainly a large safety factor when operating a vehicle.
- Animals — Wild animals and pets can create dangerous situations for drivers that may lead to an accident.
- Improper signage — It is the responsibility of the local and state governments to properly warn drivers of any dangerous conditions on the roads. Failing to do so can be considered negligent.
What “Fault” is in Relation to Car Accident Injuries
Personal injury claims for dangerous road conditions accidents in Bloomfield are generally considered to be premises liability claims.
This means that our attorneys will work to show that the owner, proprietor, or entity responsible for the maintenance of the roads failed to provide a safe environment for motor vehicle travel, which ultimately led to your accident.
Let’s say you are traveling on I-80 East in Paterson on a cloudy afternoon where there is limited visibility. There are no signs anywhere that would indicate an imminent construction zone, and before you know it, there is a large pavement shift due to construction. This uneven pavement causes a flat tire and your vehicle collides with a concrete divider, causing bodily injury.
Our attorneys may choose to file a claim against the state of New Jersey for failing to provide an even and safe roadway or for failing to provide adequate warning of compromised road conditions.
Recovering Compensation for Hazardous Condition Accident Injuries
In order to successfully recover compensation for your injuries sustained in a hazardous road condition accident in Bloomfield, our attorneys will need to prove all of the following:
- You were involved in a motor vehicle accident
- The motor vehicle accident in question was the direct result of negligent or reckless actions of another party
- Your motor vehicle accident directly led to bodily injuries
- The injuries sustained were significant and are eligible for compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more
With hazardous road condition premises liability claims, it is important to note that there are special regulations which come into effect when the liable party is a government entity. Statutes of limitations are generally two years, but claims against the state government must be filed in 90 or fewer days after your accident. If you have been injured on a government-owned road, there is no time to waste.
Contact Our Bloomfield Hazardous Road Condition Attorneys Today
The attorneys of Fredson Statmore Bitterman believe that operating a motor vehicle is dangerous even in the best conditions. If you or a loved one has been injured due to hazardous road condition accidents in Bloomfield, we are here to seek full and fair compensation for your injuries as we have done for clients throughout the state of New Jersey. Call us now to schedule a free, no-obligations consultation.
