Have you ever noticed that certain intersections or stretches of roadway seem to be the sites of many accidents? For example, Highway 12 in Starkville is considered one of the most dangerous roads in North Mississippi. Unfortunately, not every dangerous intersection or stretch of road is redesigned or improved as soon as the increased risk of accidents in an area is apparent. Fortunately, Highway 12 in Starkville will soon undergo some changes that are likely to make it a much safer place to drive.
The Mississippi Department of Transportation plans to replace parts of the long two-way turn lane with raised, landscaped medians. Raised medians provide additional safety for pedestrians, and they also provide drivers with contrasting scenery that requires that they pay attention in order to know where to make their turns. The planned improvements to Highway 12 also include installing better traffic signals and reworking certain driveways. It is estimated that work on the Highway 12 project could begin in 2017.
Highway 12 is not the only dangerous road in Mississippi. There are other places throughout the state where, for any one of a number of reasons, an increased number of accidents occur. Some of these accident “hot spots” may be the sites of numerous accidents because of roadway defects. Roadway defects are not often discussed as a cause of motor vehicle crashes, but they actually do cause many accidents throughout our nation every year.
There are a variety of types of unsafe road conditions which can cause motor vehicle accidents, including design flaws, construction defects, and maintenance issues like potholes, cracks, and eroded shoulders. For example, Mississippi has many miles of roadways which require constant care and maintenance. While it is true that road crews work hard to keep up with the repairs, there are often more areas that need repair or maintenance at any given time than can be attended to promptly. Some roadway defects that could be considered design flaws under modern engineering standards were considered safe when the roads were designed many years ago. Redesigning roadways and doing the work that is needed to make them safer takes a great deal of time and money, so it is a continuous process.
When motorists encounter roadway defects, there is a risk that an accident may occur. Poorly designed on and off ramps, busy intersections, confusing signs, improper road drainage, potholes, cracked pavement, and inadequate lighting are just a few of the roadway defects that have been shown to cause accidents. Additionally, roads that are under construction are some of the most hazardous places to drive. Work zones are constantly being rearranged as road repair projects proceed towards completion. Lane closures, detours, and other changes can make traveling on a road one day a completely different experience than it was the day before.
Giddens Law Firm, P.A.: Help for Mississippi Accident Victims
When a road defect is fully or partially to blame for an accident, the state and local government entities that are responsible for maintaining the road could possibly be held liable for the victims’ injuries. Pursuing a claim against a governmental entity can be daunting and time consuming, unless you have a Mississippi automobile accident attorney as your ally. The Mississippi Automobile Accident Attorneys of the Giddens Law Firm, P.A. are here to help you. Please call our office today, at (601) 355-2022, to learn more.