A new season can bring new dangerous road conditions along with it. You can stay safer by knowing what to look for though. If you do your best to drive safely and one of these spring road hazards does end up causing an accident, you may want to sue for damages. A Prince George’s County car accident lawyer from our firm may be able to help you with that.
What Are Some Dangerous Spring Road Hazards?
There are a few spring road hazards that can easily contribute to accidents. You should watch out for:
Animals: Longer days and warmer weather can mean more animal activity. Someone swerving out of the way of a deer or rabbit can easily crash into another vehicle.
Potholes: The winter weather can do a number on roads, contributing to the formation of big potholes. Hitting one at a high enough speed could cause you to lose control and hit someone else.
More people sharing the road: The spring weather often means more pedestrians, some of whom can act unpredictably. You will probably also end up sharing the road with more motorcycles and bicycles, and these riders have less protection than you do.
Glare from the sun: Now that the days are getting longer, you might find that the drive home from work is sunnier than usual. Even being blinded by the glare for a second or two can create a dangerous situation.
Can You Sue If a Spring Road Hazard Causes an Accident?
If a spring road hazard contributes to an accident, you may be able to sue for damages. No, you can’t sue a pothole or an errant deer, but you may be able to sue a driver who did not account for these types of hazards and created a dangerous situation as a result. If you are trying to stay safe and pay attention to the road and someone else is not, they should be held accountable for their negligence.
What Should I Do Right After an Accident?
If you do get in an accident, pull over to a safe place and call the police. They can make a report and that will come in handy later. Then you should:
- Take pictures of the cars and the accident scene
- Get evidence of the road hazard if possible
- Exchange info with any other involved drivers
- Avoid saying anything that could incriminate you
- Get medical care as soon as possible
After this, you should consider talking to a lawyer about your legal options.
Talk to an Attorney
So if you were hurt in an accident, don’t try and pursue compensation on your own. Contact McCarthy, Winkelman & Mester, L.L.P. and ask about our free case consultations. Proving the negligence of another driver on your own can be tough, but the experienced lawyers from our firm will do their best to help you build the strongest case possible.
