Do Dangerous Road Conditions Increase the Possibility of Bicycle Accidents in Louisiana?

Louisiana roads are featured in several worrying statistical categories. In a recent study, Louisiana was found to have the second worst quality of roads in the country. Add to that fact, we are also in the ten worst states for traffic safety due to a number of troubling statistics, including our fatality rates. And studies commonly rank Louisiana among the three most dangerous states for cyclists across the country, right alongside Florida and Arizona.

Put together, dangerous traffic laws, safety issues, and hazardous road conditions absolutely play a part in influencing how frequent and deadly a traffic accident could be.

For a motorist, who may be able to drive over a pothole or other road debris with little to no consequence, they may look at the issues of hazardous road conditions as a secondary issue. However, for cyclists, dangerous road conditions are keenly felt and can lead to great suffering.

If you’ve been in a bicycle accident that was caused, at least in part, by dangerous road conditions, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney without delay. It may be possible to recover compensation for your injuries, but the road to financial recovery may be more complicated because of the dangerous road conditions that were in play. To learn more, please contact our Louisiana law offices to schedule your initial consultation today.

What Are Common Types of Hazardous Road Conditions?

Bicycling is a popular form of transportation, not least of all because of its eco-friendly status, its physical health considerations, and the relatively cheaper cost of cycling. But being a Louisiana cyclist is not without its risks. Our road conditions can be dangerous, especially in some locations. In many cases, road conditions may deteriorate because of Louisiana weather and the state’s inability to keep up with the damage done. In other cases, it is an example of laziness or poor government spending.

Common examples of hazardous road conditions include:

  • Confusing traffic signage.
  • Construction debris.
  • Cracked pavement.
  • Defective stop lights and traffic signals.
  • Fallen trees.
  • Improperly cleared bike lanes.
  • Inadequate drainage leading to flooded streets.
  • Inadequate guardrails.
  • Inadequate lighting.
  • Lack of bike lanes.
  • Loose gravel on the shoulder of the road.
  • Missing or hidden stop signs.
  • Poor roadway design.
  • Poorly marked crosswalks.
  • Potholes.
  • Road debris.
  • Sewer grates.
  • Sharp turns on narrow roads.
  • Sinkholes.
  • Standing water or ice.
  • Steep or narrow shoulders.
  • Trolley tracks.
  • Uncovered manholes.
  • Uneven surfaces.
  • Unfinished road shoulders.
  • Utility poles and signage too close to the road.
  • Wet and slippery roads.
  • And more.

Who Bears Liability for Bike Crashes in Louisiana?

In most bike accidents, the at-fault driver is the party most directly responsible for causing the accident. Usually, a successful personal injury lawsuit requires that you prove negligence or recklessness on the part of the at-fault parties. Your personal injury lawyers can assist you with this matter as you seek to hold all liable parties accountable for their part in the bike crash.

Louisiana is a comparative fault state. This means that multiple parties may hold a certain amount of fault for causing an auto accident. This even means that it is possible for the bicycle accident victim to be held partially responsible for causing the accident that resulted in their injuries. When your personal injury lawsuit goes to court, a judge will determine how much fault rests on the shoulders of each party, and the total compensation will be divided accordingly.

It is possible, even potentially likely in certain circumstances, for multiple parties to bear liability for a bike collision in Louisiana. For example, while the negligent driver may be responsible for your accident injuries, so too might a local government municipality be responsible if dangerous road conditions led to the accident. Additionally, commercial trucking companies, rideshare companies, delivery app companies, vehicle manufacturers, and other parties may potentially be held liable in your bicycle accident case, depending upon the facts surrounding your personal injury claim.

How Do Dangerous Weather Conditions Influence Driver Accountability in Bicycle Crashes?

Louisiana is a state that is not unfamiliar with bad weather conditions. Flooded streets, strong winds, downed power lines, and so on are all common sights on Louisiana roads year in and year out. When accidents happen, at least in part, because of dangerous weather challenges, who is to blame? Was the driver operating their motor vehicle in a negligent manner? Or were the weather conditions too unpredictable to assign blame to any individual involved in the traffic accident?

While dangerous weather is a naturally occurring event, motorists still owe a certain duty of care to each other on Louisiana roads. Failure to uphold that duty of care can be considered driver negligence. Discuss your bicycle accident case in more detail with our personal injury attorneys today.

Can Bicyclists File a Personal Injury Lawsuit Against Cities for Dangerous Road Hazards?

Inclement weather plays a large role in the condition of Louisiana’s roads. However, neglect is also a factor. Many of our streets and roadways are maintained by city, state, and federal government agencies. These government entities are entrusted to make inspections and repairs in a timely manner for the safety of their people.

Many government entities, including local municipalities, are immune to being sued for financial damages. Because of this, it can be difficult to recover compensation in a dangerous road condition bicycle accident case. Difficult does not mean impossible, however.

In order to recover compensation from a government entity because of personal or property damage caused by hazardous road conditions, it is necessary to prove that these conditions were a direct cause of your injuries and that the responsible government agency was negligent in its duties of maintaining the road or warning motorists and cyclists of the dangers of using the road.

Contact our law firm to discuss your personal injury claim in more detail.

Schedule a Free Case Review with an Experienced Bike Accident Lawyer Today

The law firm of Babcock Injury Lawyers has extensive experience representing all manner of personal injury cases across the state of Louisiana. While many personal injury cases have an easily identifiable party to blame, some cases have several at-fault parties, and among them may be government entities.

The statute of limitations for your personal injury case may be impacted by the involvement of government entities. Contact our law firm immediately to discuss your personal injury case. With enough time to prepare, we feel confident that we can help you seek compensation for your injuries and other financial losses.

Schedule a free consultation today by contacting us at (225) 240-4053.