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Vehicle accidents are not uncommon in the state of California. When we look at Department of Transportation data, we can see that hundreds of thousands of people across the state sustain injuries in vehicle accidents each year. In most situations, vehicle accidents are caused by the careless or negligent actions of one or more drivers.

However, there are times when roadway defects cause accidents as well. At Allegiance Law, our team is here to help if you need a San Francisco roadway defects accident attorney. Our attorneys have the experience necessary to investigate the incident, determine liability, and help you obtain the compensation you need.

How do roadway defects cause accidents?

When we look at the information available from the California Office of Traffic Safety, we can see how many fatalities (3,606) and how many serious injuries (16,404) there were as a result of vehicle accidents in the state during the latest reporting year. However, what we cannot see is how many of these accidents were caused by roadway defects.

When a driver comes to us and says that their vehicle accident was caused by a defect in the roadway or the surrounding area, we investigate thoroughly. Some of the most common examples of roadway defects in and around the San Francisco area include the following:

  • Utility poles, landscaping, or signs that obstruct a driver’s view
  • Poorly designed entry and exit ramps on highways
  • Stop signs, yield signs, or other road sign obscured by obstacles
  • Defective traffic signals
  • No speed limit signs or other warning signs posted
  • Inadequate shoulders on the roadway or highway
  • Improperly graded roads
  • Debris that is not promptly removed from the roadway
  • Incomplete construction or construction without warning signs
  • Potholes that have not been repaired

Liability for a San Francisco roadway defect

There may be various parties who could be held liable in the event a roadway defect causes an accident in the San Francisco area. Often, this means that liability may fall on a local municipal government, county government, or even state government agency. In these situations, we need to look at the California Tort Claims Act (CTCA). This law is intended to protect the government from liability in personal injury cases, but there are numerous exceptions.

Under the CTCA, the various governments in California can be held liable for injuries if they had notice of a dangerous condition or in situations where the negligence of a government employee caused harm to someone else. Claims in these situations must be filed within six months from the date of the injury or accident.

In the event a roadway defect was caused by a non-governmental entity, such as a construction company, these claims can be pursued as if they were traditional personal injury cases. The California personal injury statute of limitations is two years from the date an injury occurs.

Call a San Francisco roadway defects accident lawyer today

If you or somebody you love has been injured in a vehicle accident caused by a roadway defect, reach out to the team at Allegiance Law for help as soon as possible. Our car accident attorneys have experience handling complex injury claims, and we know what it takes to stand up to government entities or construction companies responsible for roadway maintenance. Let us help you secure the compensation you need for your medical bills, property damage expenses, lost income, pain and suffering damages, and more. When you need a San Francisco roadway defects accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 415-404-6395.