What if my Car Accident was Caused by Poor Road Conditions?

Rutter Mills Law Firm

What if my Car Accident was Caused by Poor Road Conditions?

Car Accident Info

Negligent drivers are not the only causes of car accidents. Some collisions occur due to poorly maintained  or badly designed roads. If your car accident was due to this, the jurisdiction responsible for that road– whether municipal, county, state or federal– might prove liable for your injuries.

A Newport News car accident attorney from Rutter Mills can determine which government agencies are responsible for the issue resulting in your crash. We can also help you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Common Poor Road Conditions

Other circumstances, such as speeding, may contribute to the accident, but poor road conditions can make the outcome much worse. For example, a person is driving too fast down a road and hits a pothole. The driver loses control of the car and strikes another vehicle.

Common poor road conditions resulting in or exacerbating accidents include:

  • Potholes
  • Sinkholes
  • Missing or damaged road signs
  • Exposed rebar
  • Debris in the roadway
  • Lack of adequate lighting
  • Illegible road markings
  • Missing guardrails
  • Lack of winter road treatment

Further, poorly maintained roads lead to delays and congestion. When a government agency fails to maintain and upgrade its infrastructure, all drivers are affected.

What to Do After an Accident

Take photos of the accident scene. Call 911 and make sure the police officer records the road conditions in their report. Always seek immediate medical attention, even if you do not think you were seriously injured. Without a prompt medical examination, the insurance company may deny your claim.

Statute of Limitations

Typically, personal injury lawsuits require filing within two years of the accident date, as per the Commonwealth’s statute of limitations. When a public entity is involved, however, the timeframe is much shorter.

In Virginia, the injured party has one year in which to file a Notice of Claim with the agency in question. Which agency is in charge of a particular roadway is often confusing, and it is a complicated matter for an individual to file on their own. Our car accident lawyers know which entities require Notice of Claim filings based on the location.

There is an exception to this statute of limitations. If a child was injured in the accident, they could wait until their 19th birthday to file a claim against the state or a local government.

Contact us for a free consultation

If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a motor vehicle crash caused by poor road conditions, you need the services of an experienced car accident lawyer at Rutter Mills. Contact us via text or phone 24/7, or submit our online form to schedule a free consultation. We will evaluate your claim and let you know whether you have a case against the government agency in charge of the road. There is never a fee unless we win.

Car Accident Lawyers

Car Accident Lawyer Resources – Areas Served

Contact a Rutter Mills attorney to speak about your case today.

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TESTIMONIALS

You don’t have to worry about the bills, just get healthy.

Dave Put His Trust in Us

Don’t Fall For The Insurance Company’s Games

Dave suffered serious injuries in a car accident. The defendant’s insurance company tried to offer him a low amount so Dave called Rutter Mills. We took over dealing with the insurance and got Dave the money he needed to get back on his feet.

They enabled me to be happy in life again.

Get Back On Track

Protecting Your Future

Glenn’s car accident changed his life, but not permanently thanks to the help of his Rutter Mills attorney. When the insurance companies wouldn’t help him, our team fought back and won.

I knew I needed Rutter Mills.

Fighting For What's Right

Getting Justice

On his way home from work at the shipyard, Dan was involved in an accident. He tried to file a claim on his own, but the insurance company wouldn’t give him the money he needed to put his life back on track. Dan knew he needed to call Rutter Mills.

They actually won my case 3 times!

Larena's Win

After her car accident, Larena asked her father, a local stevedore, for his advice on who to call. He recommended Rutter Mills. Her team of car accident experts at Rutter Mills fought back when the insurance companies tried to deny her the money she needed to recuperate from her injuries. We took her case to trial – and won. When the insurance company filed their appeals, we beat them again – two more times! Larena got the money she needed and the justice she deserved.

We’re going to immediately call Rutter Mills. That’s the people I trust with my baby girl.

Who Do You Trust With Your Family?

After a car accident, Jamaree’s first call was to her mom. She was shaken up and scared. Mom told her “We’re calling Rutter Mills. Her next was to Rutter Mills. Her Rutter Mills car accident team helped her get compensation “above & beyond” what she was expecting.

They lifted allot of stress off my shoulders. I recommend them to anybody because they WILL fight for you.

Who Can You Turn To?

Referrals From Friends and Family

After John was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, he turned to the person he trusts most for a recommendation. His wife, a paralegal of 30 years, told him to call Rutter Mills on the advice of the lawyer she worked for.

They really care for you as a person. Words cannot describe what Rutter Mills did for me and for my case.

When You Need Someone In Your Corner

Don’t Go It Alone

When the insurance company tried to get Carol to sign paperwork after her car accident, she knew she needed a lawyer. Carol knew she needed Rutter Mills.

When I called Rutter Mills, I knew it was the right fit. They’re so interested in helping you get justice.

Getting The Justice You Deserve

When Mom Needs Strength

Taryn was in a car accident while she was pregnant. She knew she needed someone in her corner to protect her rights and her family’s future.

There’s attorneys, then there’s Rutter Mills.

We're Here When The Unexpected Happens

Priorities

A devasting accident changed Levon’s life forever. The physical and emotional toll left him scared and in pain. When the insurance company for the defendant contacted the family, they made an offer that did not even cover the cost of the medication, much less doctors’ bills, and physical therapy. They knew they needed to talk to a serious lawyer. Rutter Mills took care of the negotiation so Levon could focus on healing.

When you’ve got a serious injury, you need a serious lawyer. That’s why we chose Rutter Mills.

Motorcycle Accidents Change Everything

When Ed was injured in a motorcycle crash, he knew he needed a serious lawyer to protect his rights. The insurance companies were fighting him every step of the way. Rutter Mills helped prove Ed’s case and get him the money he needed to get on the road to recovery.

With the seriousness of the accident, I knew that we needed a serious lawyer. I needed Rutter Mills.

Carol & Levon's Story

They knew they needed a serious lawyer when Carol and her son were seriously injured. After the other party’s insurance company tried to get her to settle for less than she needed, Carol called Rutter Mills for help. We took on the insurance company so she could focus on healing.

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TESTIMONIALS How We Helped