Macon Fatal Accident Lawyer

How Roadway Design Contributes to Catastrophic Outcomes in Macon

Car accidents can forever change people’s lives in an instant. That is true not only for the people involved in crashes, but also the families and friends of those who are injured or killed.

At the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, our Macon fatal accident lawyers help people and families whose lives have been upended by auto collisions. We are experienced attorneys who have dedicated our careers to guiding people through the aftermath of catastrophic or deadly accidents.

Our lawyers know that there is no amount of money that can ever replace a loved one. Monetary compensation also will not allow you to go back in time and stop a crash from happening. But the sudden loss of a family member often creates new and serious financial stress for people already dealing with an emotionally fraught situation.

That is why we work aggressively to ensure that people and families get the maximum  compensation available in fatal accident cases. Our lawyers are also committed to making certain that people and entities responsible for deadly accidents are held fully accountable.

If you have lost a loved one in a car accident, you are not alone. Our Macon fatal accident lawyers are just a phone call away. Call us today at 478-845-6464 to speak with an attorney about your rights and options.

How Deadly Car Accidents Happen

Georgia is home to one of the highest rates of fatal car accidents across the country.

Some 1,500 fatal crashes occur statewide each year, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation. About half of those crashes involve drivers between the ages of 15 and 24, the data show.

Fatal crashes frequently occur because of a combination of factors. Some of the most common that our Macon fatal accident lawyers see include:

• Speeding: Speed dramatically increases the chance that a crash will be fatal. Cars traveling at higher speeds need more time to stop and make air bags and seat belts less effective because of the force of the impact when collisions happen.
• Drunk or drugged driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or certain medications significantly affects judgment, reaction time and coordination.
• Driver fatigue: Drivers who get behind the wheel while tired or drowsy have similar problems as those driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
• Driver distraction: Fiddling with cell phones and dashboards takes a driver’s focus away from where it should be, which is on the road.
• Weather: Bad weather such as rain, snow or fog does not cause accidents on its own, but it can amplify existing roadway hazards and reduce reaction time.
• Seat belts: About half of all people killed in auto accidents across the U.S. every year are not wearing seat belts, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

These factors not only cause crashes to happen, but also can make collisions more severe when they do occur. Some of the deadliest types of crashes include T-bone and head-on collisions, as well as anything that happens at high-speed. These accidents are more likely than others to result in serious brain, spinal cord and internal injuries that can lead to death.

Crashes involving large vehicles – trucks, sport utility vehicles or commercial vehicles – are more likely to be fatal due to size and weight differences. The force involved in these collisions is greater than in other crashes. The smaller vehicle typically absorbs more of that force and transfers it to drivers and passengers inside the vehicles, increasing their risk for catastrophic or fatal injuries.

Larger vehicles also pose a greater threat to people traveling by two feet. The faster that these vehicles are traveling when they collide with pedestrians, the more likely pedestrians are to be killed.

The Effect of Poor Roadway Design and Maintenance

Human error is often to blame when accidents happen, but it is not the only factor. Poor road design and maintenance can contribute to fatal crashes by creating dangerous conditions that drivers cannot easily anticipate or avoid.

Modern roadways are not supposed to be neutral spaces. Transportation engineers design highways, roads and streets with the goal of guiding driver behavior and reducing the risk of crashes. Properly designed roads give drivers clear visual cues about speed and direction and adequate time to react to hazards. They also separate traffic in ways meant to cut down on collisions, accounting for likely human errors behind the wheel.

Intersections

Intersections are among the most dangerous places on the road. When they are poorly designed, it is a recipe for disaster.

Some of the most common intersection design flaws limit drivers’ visibility, whether it is because of signs, buildings, overhangs, construction, trees and vegetation, poor lighting or curves. Even when visibility is good, drivers can quickly become confused about who has the right of way if lane markings are unclear. That is not to mention improper signal timing that may push drivers to make risky decisions.

Lane Design

Lane design is another common problem that can have fatal consequences. The width and layout of lanes may seem like minor details, but they strongly influence driver behavior and crash outcomes.

Sudden lane drops, poorly marked merges and confusing transitions tend to force drivers to make split-second decisions. Even attentive drivers may not have enough time to react safely, particularly in heavy traffic. This increases the risk of sideswipes and chain reaction crashes involving multiple vehicles.

Signage and Markings

Road signs and pavement markings are essential communication tools that give drivers a crucial heads up about everything from curves and intersections to speed limit changes and road construction.

Signs and markings that are unclear, poorly placed or simply missing prevent drivers from getting information they need to safely operate their vehicles. This creates confusion that can cause drivers to hesitate, brake suddenly or make unpredictable lane changes.

Improper Maintenance

Road design and road maintenance go hand in hand. Even a well-designed road can become dangerous if it is not properly maintained.

Some of the most common maintenance-related hazards include:

• Potholes and uneven pavement
• Cracked or crumbling shoulders
• Standing water due to poor drainage
• Construction and other roadway debris

These conditions can cause drivers to lose control, swerve into other lanes or collide with objects they do not expect to see on the road.

Safety Threats for Pedestrians and Cyclists

Many roadways are designed primarily for motor vehicles, rather than people traveling by foot or on bicycles. When vehicles and vulnerable road users are forced into conflict, the results are often catastrophic.

Even those that regularly see foot and cycle traffic often lack proper sidewalks and bike lanes and have crosswalks that are poorly marked or placed too far apart. This can nudge pedestrians and cyclists directly into traffic with cars, trucks, buses and other vehicles.

Lighting, or lack thereof, is routinely at least in part to blame when pedestrians and bicycle riders are killed in traffic accidents. Pedestrian fatalities are up by 80% over the last two decades, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. The overwhelming majority of the accidents happen overnight and during early morning hours when there is little natural light and visibility is low.

Poor lighting and shoddy sidewalks and crosswalks are an especially deadly combination. People walking or biking on the sides of poorly lit roads during low-visibility hours sadly are sitting ducks, even for drivers who are alert behind the wheel and traveling within speed limits.

The risk is similar for people on the sides of roads whose vehicles have broken down, run out of gas or experienced a tire blowout. Many drivers and passengers are injured or killed after being struck on road shoulders in Georgia and across the country each year.

Suing for Wrongful Death

When a person is killed in a traffic or other accident in Georgia, state law gives certain family members the right to take action by pursuing a claim for wrongful death.

The money damages typically available in wrongful death cases is designed to compensate family members for the loss of the support of their loved ones. It includes compensation for:

• Lost wages and future earnings
• Medical and funeral expenses
• Loss of companionship and emotional support

To get that compensation, family members have to file a civil suit for wrongful death. This is completely separate from any criminal prosecution that may happen to anyone responsible for a fatal accident.

State law limits who can sue for wrongful death to the deceased person’s spouse, children and parents (if no spouse or children).

Our Macon fatal accident lawyers have significant experience in wrongful death cases. We can help you understand your rights and determine if you have a claim.

Merritt & Merritt Law Firm Helps People in Wrongful Death Cases

At Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, our Macon fatal accident lawyers are dedicated to helping people and families whose lives have been forever changed by the loss of loved ones. We fight diligently to protect and defend our clients rights, from the first consultation through final resolution.

Our goal is to help you move forward by getting the full compensation available and ensuring that negligent drivers are made accountable. Call our team at 478-845-6464 for a free, no-risk consultation.