If you ask anyone to name common causes of car accidents, they will likely name driver-centric causes, such as speeding, distracted driving, or driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Some might even point out inclement weather.
Very few people would point out the impact of road design on collision rates and accident probability. However, our personal injury attorneys here at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. have dealt with numerous car accident cases—and in our experience, poor road design can contribute significantly to the likelihood of a collision or off-road incident.
Intersections see some of the highest numbers of car accidents, in large part due to their design. Poor visibility, confusing signage, or improper traffic light placement can confuse drivers and cause them to take improperly timed turns or to go out of sync with traffic.
If drivers cannot see the traffic from a reasonable distance because of height, size, or position, the vehicles may not have enough time to react. Tight turn lanes or a lack of clearly marked pedestrian crosswalks can also increase the hazards of intersections.
Sharp curves, steep grades, or sudden elevation changes can easily lead to accidents by catching drivers off guard—if road crews do not clearly mark these turns or changes in traffic flow, even experienced drivers can put themselves in danger.
But even with clear markers, if road crews do not perform regular maintenance on these stretches, then heavier and faster cars can easily lose control of these dangerous turns. Poor drainage, potholes, debris, and uneven surfaces can cause tire blowouts or poor traction, leading to collisions or rollovers.
Signs help drivers make smart, on-the-road decisions by alerting them to upcoming hazards, speed limits, and turns. But if vegetation, poor lighting, suboptimal placement, construction, or billboards obscure vision of these signs, they do drivers no good.
Worse, inconsistent signage and markings—like faded lane dividers—can confuse drivers and cause them to collide.
Pedestrians and cyclists use the same roads that cars do, and if road design does not take their safety into account, vehicles could accidentally collide with them and cause severe injuries. All heavily trafficked roads should have clearly marked walkways and bike lanes, as well as clear lighting for cars to see bystanders and bikers alike.
Adequate and modernized road design can significantly reduce the likelihood of car accidents: guardrails, properly maintained road surfaces, and clear signage all go a long way toward keeping drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists safe on the roads. However, even with the best preventative measures in place, accidents still happen. If poor road design caused you an injury in an accident or collision, call our Wilmington car accident lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. at 302-656-5445 or fill out our online contact form for a free initial consultation. Our New Castle and Millsboro, Delaware offices help clients in New Castle County, Kent County, and Sussex County.