Christopher B. Dolan Automobile Accidents Law Blog on Lawyers.com

Often auto accidents are not the result of two vehicles—in some cases, the design or improper maintenance of a roadway can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles through no fault of their own. Public roadways are maintained by a variety of municipalities, any of which may be ultimately responsible for accidents. For example, in California, Oakland auto accidents may be caused by road conditions caused by negligence by Oakland, or even by the California Department of Transportation.

How to protect yourself from the hazards of dangerous roadways

Not all roadway flaws are immediately visible, but by educating yourself about flaws that can pose dangers, you can avoid many serious situations. Try to stay vigilant for the following potential hazards:

• Overgrown vegetation: Tall trees and bushes can easily hide traffic lights, stop signs, and approaching cross-traffic. By slowing down, you can often avoid a collision.
• Lack of stop signs or traffic signals: Unfortunately, busy intersections are not always equipped with signs and signals that can save lives. Make sure you are prepared to stop, even if no sign tells you to do so.
• Loose gravel: Cars driving on a loose gravel surface take longer to stop. Whether you are driving on a dirt road, or over a road under construction, be aware of your reduced stopping distance. Increase the distance between your car and vehicles in front of you, and approach intersections with extra caution.
• Poor lighting: Your headlights alone do not reveal all roadway dangers. When driving in a poorly lit road at night, it makes good sense to decrease your speed to allow you greater control if you should need to make a sudden stop if a vehicle or pedestrian suddenly appears in front of your car.

Seeking compensation from the government

Anyone injured as the result of an accident caused by improper roadway maintenance needs legal assistance from a law firm with extensive experience pursuing government claims. Government entities are generally immune from liability, and even bringing injury and wrongful death suits against the government is typically complicated and expensive. But for individuals who have been injured in the South Bay area of California, the Oakland injury attorneys at the Dolan Law Firm have significant experience in this area of law. We have helped many people injured in dangerous roadway accidents recover monetary damages from the government. Contact us today.