During the intense winter months in Rhode Island, many plows will create high snowbanks while clearing away roads, side streets and parking lots. Business owners, property owners and others in charge of the premises In Warwick, Cranston and Providence have a legal responsibility to remove accumulated snow on their premises at entryways and in their parking lots to ensure a safe area is available to motorists, pedestrians and visitors. The state, county, city or town also share legal responsibilities to ensure the public areas, public sidewalks and roadways are clear of dangerous amounts of accumulated snow and ice. Sadly, there are always a number of obstructed view motor vehicle collisions and pedestrian mishaps in RI on a year to year basis.
While many car accidents in RI are unavoidable, most are not. Typically, auto collisions in Providence are the fault of one or more drivers, especially when accumulated snow, ice, snow piles and slippery surfaces are involved. Other times, the Pawtucket, Central Fall or Newport municipality is at fault because the road was not properly maintained immediately after a snowfall.
Serious Pedestrian Problems caused by obstructed view car wrecks
After heavy snowfalls, drivers and pedestrians often face massive snowbanks along the sides of city roads, mall parking lots and intersections. These areas can be especially dangerous for pedestrians when the snow pile obstructs the view of drivers moving through the area. Even if the automobile driver, suv or pickup truck has a clear view to see other motorists on the roadway, it may be impossible to see a pedestrian who is obstructed by a large pile of snow.
Often times, high snowbanks at intersecting roadways make it nearly impossible to make a turn due to the blind spot it creates. In some scenarios, it is nearly impossible to determine if other cars are in the area or have the right of away because the driver must slowly move into the intersection in an effort to view any oncoming traffic. The dangerous situation can easily cause a serious RI car accident or East Providence trucking crash with injuries.
Any injury that occurs as a direct result of snow being piled too high can bring liability against the property owner, municipality, county or state responsible for street maintenance. However, these types of cases are difficult to litigate because the victim must prove that the action or inaction of those responsible created a dangerous condition. Because of that, victims will often hire a reputable Rhode Island personal injury attorney or car accident lawyer in RI who specializes in premises liability accident negligence cases.
Accidents Caused by Other Motorists in Rhode Island
If you find yourself driving cautiously and safely on slippery surfaces around obstructing snow piles and another motor vehicle or auto hits you, you are likely entitled to receive financial compensation to cover your medical expenses and property damage. This is especially true if the other motorist was driving recklessly for the current weather conditions or if the roadways were icy or if their view was obstructed. Any failure to keep their vehicle under control likely places them in a liable position to cover your damages.
However, the insurance company holding the other driver’s policy will likely attempt to offer you a minimal settlement to close the case. In many incidences, the amount they offer is much less than is deserved for the type of damages and injuries you suffer. Because of that, it is advisable to hire a skilled RI personal injury attorney who specializes in premises liability accident claims for compensation.
“Common road conditions that contribute to car accidents:
- Confusing, damaged or missing signs
- Roads not salted or plowed in winter weather
- Blind curves and poorly banked roads
- Lack of traffic signals or poorly placed signals
- Improperly graded curves and uneven shoulders
- Poor landscaping and vision obstructions
- Overly bright lights or lack of nighttime lighting
- Lack of appropriate road markings
- Inappropriate road materials
- Low bridges or incorrect overhead bridge markings
- Broken guardrails” Injury Claim Coach, “Empowering injured victims”, “Accidents Caused by Poor Road Quality or Hazardous Conditions” Injury Claim coach
Hiring a Providence Premises Liability Lawyer with experience in obstructed view car accident
If you have suffered injuries while involved in a vehicle accident or vehicular wreck due to an obstructing snow pile, you may be entitled to receive financial compensation from those at fault for your damages. A personal injury attorney in Providence working on your behalf can file a claim or lawsuit in providence Superior Court to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Your Providence car crash attorney will provide a free consultation to discuss your case and provide numerous legal options on how to proceed to ensure your rights remain protected. These obstructed view motor vehicle crash cases are handled through a contingency fee agreement, meaning that you receive legal representation without paying the law firm an upfront fee.
Crash Factors in Intersection-Related Crashes: An On-Scene Perspective “Crashes often occur at intersections because these are the locations where two or more roads cross each other and activities such as turning left, crossing over, and turning right have the potential for conflicts resulting in crashes. Based on the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and National Automotive Sampling SystemGeneral Estimates System (NASS-GES) data, about 40 percent of the estimated 5,811,000 crashes that occurred in the United States in 20081 were intersection-related crashes.” NRD DOT HS 811 366 September 2010 US Department of Transportation, National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA)
