If You Suffer Injuries In A Highway Defect or Highway Drop Off Case, The Contractors Who Worked On The Road Can Be Held Liable
I am sure that many of our readers have been traveling down a highway when all of a sudden the road surface changes and there is a sudden drop off of the street or highway to a different level. This typically occurs when the street top has been recently laid or material has been added during construction or the road shoulder has been washed away due to weather or worn down by traffic. Many times government agencies may be potentially liable for Pennsylvania highway defect accidents. However, an issue of sovereign immunity often comes into play as liability is dependent on local law. Sovereign immunity is a doctrine that historically shields governments from liability and many lawsuits and governments often cannot be sued unless they agree to be sued and are generally not held responsible for acts of their employees.
PennDOT immunities do not apply to contractors. If a state road and drop off was created adding a layer of blacktop or paving and not extending the full distance, it is important that a careful investigation be commenced to determine which contractor repaved the project and to join them in any lawsuit. Additionally, a careful investigation should be performed regarding the engineers and designers of the highway. Distinct from the engineers or designers, one should also investigate which inspection firms inspected the work performed or the firms that striped the highways. If a stripe is incorrectly laid and it changes geometry of the roadway relative to striping, it can be argued that this may push vehicles toward a drop off resulting in a catastrophic accident. An excellent accident reconstructionist and traffic engineer will work with an experienced Philadelphia highway defect accident lawyer to carefully investigate these claims.
Since 1958, the lawyers of the Beasley Reiff Law Group have been awarded over $2 billion dollars for catastrophically injured clients and their families. Our defective roadway design lawyers understand the mechanics of a highway defect case and understand that it is necessary to litigate against highway contractors, planners, municipalities, and others who may be responsible for dangerous traffic patterns and highway defects. As Pennsylvania highway accident attorneys for over a half century, we have just about seen it all and know what can go wrong in the prosecution of a case by an attorney who does not have extensive experience and knowledge.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a catastrophic Pennsylvania car accident and wish to put a team of experienced Philadelphia roadway defect lawyers on your team, please contact the experienced Philadelphia roadway defect lawyers of The Beasley Reiff Law Group for a free, no obligation consultation on line at www.beasleyreifflawgroup.com or toll free at 1-800-588-0130.
