New York Bridge, Road Conditions Leave Much to Be Desired

Confirming what many New York drivers might already know, a recent Reason Foundation study places the state’s road conditions well toward the bottom as compared to the rest of the U.S. Of particular note are New York’s bridges, 39 percent of which are considered deficient, worse than any state except Rhode Island. In addition, New York’s urban highways rank 45^th in overall quality.

Road maintenance isn’t just a cosmetic issue. A road that’s been left to deteriorate can be extremely hazardous to motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians, putting everyone at risk of serious injuries or death. Issues of poor road design, lack of maintenance and missing or inadequate warnings for motorists may all lead to accidents. These problems can stem from construction projects, vandalism, weather conditions, routine wear and numerous other causes.

Some common issues include:

• Poorly marked or maintained construction zones
• Large or frequent potholes
• Uneven pavement or shoulder drop-offs
• Missing, confusing, obscured or poorly placed signage
• Dangerous accumulation of water, snow, ice or debris
• Sudden lane detours or sharp turns
• Malfunctioning traffic signals

The good news is that you may have some recourse if you are injured in an accident and poor road conditions were a factor. Government agencies are tasked with keeping roads well maintained, reasonably free of hazards and safe for everyone using them. If the agency is aware of a problem and does not take action to correct it in a reasonable amount of time, it might be liable for injuries.

If you have been injured in an accident and believe poor road conditions played a significant role, you may need to seek compensation from the agency in charge of road upkeep. Learn more about your options by calling on a knowledgeable New York auto accident attorney with [ln::firm_name].