Hartford Defective Road Accident Lawyer

Accidents happen every day due to driver negligence, weather conditions, and other elements that are often beyond our control. However, in rare cases, the condition of the road itself can lead to collisions.

These accidents can be tricky to navigate with other parties and insurance companies since you may not be sure who, exactly, is to blame.

If poor road conditions contributed to an accident that you were involved with, you may have recourse — but you’ll need to focus your efforts in the right direction. Such a claim could mean pursuing the government, a private contractor, or a landowner if the road was on private land.

Given the complexity of these accidents and the fact that there could be multiple parties involved, you’ll want a reliable personal injury attorney on your side. Bert McDowell is here to help guide you through the process.

He’ll review your case and make recommendations based on the facts so that you understand all your legal options for recovery. If you’ve already engaged with an insurance company or another agency to receive compensation, Bert can review their initial offer and negotiate on your behalf.

If you had an accident on a defective road in Hartford, reach out to Bert and his team when you call (203) 633-7449 or contact us online. You’ll be scheduled for a 100% free and confidential case review, where you’ll be able to talk to an experienced attorney about your possible claim.

How a Hartford Defective Road Accident Attorney Can Help You

Accidents can lead to unexpected challenges. These challenges can impact your life, happiness, and ability to provide for yourself or others.

If you were injured in a crash, you may have mounting medical debt, substantial injuries, and mental struggles that affect your quality of life. These obstacles can lead to feelings of isolation or depression.

Bert McDowell and his Injury Law team can ease your burden. We’ll help you seek the full amount of compensation you need following a defective road accident.

Money won’t change the fact that you suffered a traumatic event, but having the funds to cover your medical debts, buy a new vehicle, or support your living expenses as you recover goes a long way toward relieving your stress.

The team at Bert McDowell Injury Law will help you find peace of mind by:

• Helping determine who is at fault for the accident: Even in straightforward cases, determining liability can be a challenge. The process is especially daunting in situations where road conditions alone caused the accident. The blame may lie with one party, but it’s also possible that multiple organizations are at fault. To lodge a successful claim, you need to know who is responsible for the accident. Further, you need sufficient evidence to support the allegations. A personal injury attorney can analyze the accident and provide a legal basis for determining fault.
• Handling negotiations: Negotiating with insurance companies, government officials, or private contractors can be a delicate process. Negotiating is a skill that attorneys hone through years of practice. To get the compensation you may be entitled to, you’ll want to have an excellent negotiator on your side. This is especially true in cases that involve government agencies.
• Guidance during the process: Your attorney can provide valuable insights regarding your current and future needs. For example, your attorney will provide projections about your future medical expenses and other financial needs that you may not be accounting for as you seek compensation. Further, they can help you understand your rights under Connecticut law as you pursue justice following the accident.

What Conditions Lead to Defective Road Accidents?

Ongoing maintenance is essential for keeping roads in good shape. The government often works with contractors to ensure that the roads are safe for drivers to use.

However, if there is an unexpected event that leads to unusual damage or if the government fails to address issues in a timely manner, the roads could become dangerous.

Some examples of hazardous road conditions include:

• Potholes
• Faded road marking paint
• Fissures
• Missing or damaged road signs
• Poorly lit roads
• Lack of medians or shoulders
• Poorly marked parking areas
• Faulty guardrails
• Steep, unprotected embankments
• Defective maintenance or engineering
• Failure to prepare for or respond to severe weather events
• Poor response to snow and ice

These conditions increase the odds of an accident occurring since drivers can easily become confused. If you had an accident that would have been avoidable if the roads had been safe, you’d want to seek legal guidance to get the compensation you deserve and to prevent others from ending up in a similar position.

What to Know about Connecticut’s Defective Highway Rules

Connecticut law addresses defective highway accidents by allowing people to sue the state or town governments for damages. However, you must be able to prove that the defect is what caused the accident.

These cases can be challenging; under state law, if you’re found liable for even one percent of what happened, your claim will be unsuccessful. The government must be 100 percent at fault for the incident.

You should also be aware of the following Connecticut statutes before pursuing a suit against the government:

• The plaintiff must prove three critical elements. They must show that the highway was defective, demonstrate that the defendant knew or should have known about the defect and that the defendant failed to fix the issue in a prompt manner.
• The defect must tie directly to the accident, as well as the damages the plaintiff is seeking for any injuries.

Your personal injury attorney will review the facts of the accident and provide feedback on what strategies you have available for your case. They’ll also determine if it makes the most sense to pursue the government for damages or to focus on a different party, such as a contractor who is responsible for road maintenance.

Steps to Take After a Defective Road Accident

Immediately after an accident, it’s common to feel dazed, overwhelmed, or emotional. Despite the chaos, you should take a few critical steps to ensure you stay safe in the moment and have everything you need to get proper compensation for the accident:

• Get to safety: Above all, it’s crucial to get to a safe spot after you’ve been in an accident. If you can still drive your car, maneuver to a shoulder or parking lot where you won’t be exposed to other traffic. If you can’t move the car but you are physically safe, stay in the car or walk to a spot where you aren’t near moving vehicles.
• Call the police: You should call the police as soon as you can after an accident occurs. Even if the accident seems minor, you’ll want to document the incident and file a police report for insurance purposes.
• Request medical help: This priority rises to the top of the list if someone is badly injured. However, even if you don’t think you were hurt, it’s wise to seek medical care after the accident. Some injuries won’t manifest themselves for days or weeks after the crash.
• Contact your insurance company: You should contact your insurance company as soon as you can to let them know about the accident. That way, you can start the claims process without delays. Be prepared with documentation, such as a copy of your driver’s license and a copy of the police report from the crash.
• Document the scene: Depending on the circumstances, it may not be possible to get pictures or videos of the road and surroundings after the crash. However, take the opportunity to snap a few photos or film a short video if you can. This evidence could go a long way toward building your case.
• Contact a personal injury attorney: Finally, if you want to get the ball rolling on your case as soon as possible, reach out to a personal injury attorney. Your attorney will review the documentation up to this point and guide you through negotiations with the insurance company. They’ll also help you determine who you should pursue for damages regarding the road defects. In Connecticut, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim.

Contact a Hartford Defective Road Accident Law Firm Today

If you’ve been involved in an accident where defective roads may be to blame, you may not be sure about where to turn for help.

Bert McDowell has years of experience helping clients with personal injury cases. Thanks to his experience of having worked directly for insurers, he knows the factors that really move the needle on injury claims.

From dog bites and falls to brain injuries and car accidents, Bert knows the elements you must prove for a successful personal injury case — one that compensates you for the full amount of damages you have suffered. He’ll work with you directly to gather the facts and build a compelling case.

Although defective road cases can be hard to prove, you shouldn’t hesitate to get help if you think road conditions played a substantial role in your accident. You’ll want an experienced attorney like Bert on your side to hold the government accountable for negligence.

If you’re ready to discuss your case with Bert McDowell, contact his office at (203) 633-7449 or reach out to us online to schedule a free, confidential case review.