Causes of Accidents on Bridges

Most cities and even smaller towns have bridges and overpasses to help motorists and pedestrians safely cross bodies of water or other roadways. Although bridges are carefully designed to sustain demanding loads of weight each day, defects and structural issues may still exist or develop over time. Unfortunately, accidents on bridges can be much more dangerous than accidents on other areas of the roadway.

Adverse Driving Conditions on Bridges

Accidents on bridges may be caused by driver error or by structural defects in the bridge itself, including:

• Icy or wet conditions. Bridges are especially hazardous during cold weather because of their tendency to form ice patches. If other drivers do not operate their vehicles with extreme caution during adverse weather conditions, they run the risk of causing serious accidents.

• Defects in the sidewall or barricades. Barriers along the side of the bridge exist to protect motorists from driving off the side of the bridge in the event of an accident. However, if these barriers are not constructed or maintained properly, drivers are at an increased risk of serious accidents.

• Structural integrity of the bridge. If a bridge is poorly constructed, the security of the entire structure may be in danger. Beams or sections of concrete may crack or shift to become unstable, or cables may break or come loose if weight is not distributed properly.

Contact Us

If you or a loved one has been involved in a bridge accident, you may be able to hold the person or party at fault accountable under the law. To learn more about your legal rights and options, contact an Iowa personal injury lawyer from LaMarca & Landry, P.C. by calling 877-327-2600.