Road Hazards

A road hazard can be defined as any kind of condition on the road that can cause a potential risk of injury or death. Like anything else, it is easier for drivers to determine whether or not something is a road hazard during the daytime.

High-risk road hazards leave little time for reaction and can cause major damage upon impact. Low-risk road hazards are the opposite. A driver who weaves across two lanes of traffic and cuts you off is a high-risk road hazard. A small animal crossing the road is may be considered a low-risk road hazard, depending on how the driver reacts to the situation.

What to Watch For on the Road

A few potential road hazards to look out for while driving include:

• Construction/Work Zones: These areas can pose a serious threat due to the unpredictable road conditions such as narrow lanes, detours, and bumpy or uneven surfaces. There is also the presence of workers and work-related vehicles which themselves become hazards. It is a good idea to slow down at these points.
• Foreign Objects: These items can be either on the road or off the road. If a barrel has fallen off a flatbed truck or a big bag on the side of the road takes lift and drifts into traffic, they both are foreign object road hazards. These items can decrease your field of vision, cause one or more collisions with other vehicles, become projectile objects, or get caught under your vehicle and cause damage.
• Vehicles with Limited Vision: 18-wheelers, delivery trucks, rental trucks, some vans and trucks, and cars loaded with materials all fall under this category. Remember, if you cannot see them they cannot see you. It is crucial to stay visible to other drivers whenever possible.
• Pedestrians: Children, construction workers, store shoppers, bicyclists, and distracted people can all potentially become road hazards. If you can prevent an accident, regardless of who is at fault, it is imperative that you do so.

Contact Us

If you or someone you know has been the victim of injury due to a road hazard, contact the Madison personal injury lawyers of Habush Habush & Rottier S.C. ® at 800-242-2874.