If you’re like most people, driving at night can be an enjoyable and cathartic activity. You don’t have to worry about sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic or hearing constant honking, as there are significantly fewer cars on the road. As such, you can roll your windows down, turn up the tunes, and cruise! However, this enjoyment may only last so long if you are involved in an accident due to a lack of street lighting. Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon issue, so understanding your rights in this matter is critical. The following blog explores what you should know about your rights, including who can face liability for the damages you’ve sustained. In addition, you’ll learn the importance of working with a Broward County auto accident lawyer to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
What Are the Dangers of Inadequate Street Lighting?
Unforutnatley, one of the biggest dangers when driving at night is unlit roads. While this may not seem like a big deal, as your car has headlights, these only extend to the area primarily in front of your car, leaving the road ahead shrouded in darkness. As such, any potential hazards that lie on the road may be unnoticed until you are too close to avoid the danger.
Common hazards that may be worsened by a lack of adequate street lighting include, but are by no means limited to, animals crossing the road, pedestrians, disabled vehicles, potholes, debris on the road, downed wires, flooded areas, and downed branches.
You may also find that many drivers on unlit roads utilize their high beams. While this can be beneficial to improve your visibility, it can also pose a risk to approaching drivers. Unfortunately, the angle at which most high beams are set can cause temporary blindness to those approaching, thus increasing the risk of an accident.
Who Can Face Liability for Damages in Florida?
In general, when lights are not properly maintained, the municipality responsible for ensuring the lights are working can face liability. For example, if a stretch of road lined by heavy woods has defective lights and you sustain an injury, the town, county, or state, depending on who is responsible for that section, can face liability for the damages you have endured as a result.
It’s important to understand, however, that third parties may also face liability. For example, if another driver was speeding or failed to turn their lights on, and they collide with you, they may also share responsibility in the collision. As such, the court would need to determine how much both the party who failed to maintain the lights and the negligent driver were responsible for the collision.
As you can see, navigating a lawsuit in which you were injured due to insufficient lighting on a dark road can be incredibly difficult. That is why it’s in your best interest to connect with an experienced attorney with the Finizio Law Group as soon as possible. Our team understands how overwhelming these matters can be to navigate, which is why we will do everything in our power to help you fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact us today to learn more about these difficult matters.
