Georgia Bridge Collapse Accidents
Engineering or architectural negligence can be the main reason for many bridge and roadway failures. It's not often apparent that a bridge is going to fail before it does, but when it fails it usually collapses.
Many have lost their lives when a bridge that they were driving over, or even walking over, collapsed from beneath them.
Bridges and roadways are exposed to the elements and constant traffic, which can create stress. These structures should be maintained on a regular basis and be subject to timely inspections. This responsibility usually belongs to state and city governments. Unfortunately, due to budgetary constraints and lack of manpower, many of these structures do not receive proper or sufficient maintenance.
Whether they are old and worn out or whether they are structurally flawed, the dangers that defective bridges and roadways can create are numerous. Many victims have been in their cars traversing bridges when they have collapsed. In these situations, there is neither much time nor many options for escape. Many times the vehicle will fall into the water and the occupants drown. When a bridge partially collapses, vehicles can roll over or be thrown from the road causing severe injuries and even death.
Bridge accidents are not limited to just vehicular bridges. In Atlanta, Georgia, back in December of 2008, one person was killed and eighteen others were injured when a pedestrian bridge at the Atlanta Botanical Garden collapsed while it was still under construction.
The walkway was 45 foot tall and 600 feet long and workers were pouring concrete on it the morning of the collapse. The public was there for an event that morning, and many people heard the screams of the victims. Sixteen people were taken to the hospital, and 6 were critically injured. Two of them had brain injuries, and others had spinal and liver injuries.
Roadways are also prone to problems and failure when not engineered correctly or maintained. The structural integrity of a roadway can be compromised by something as small as a pothole. Potholes can start out small but when not repaired can grow larger and the area around it weaker. Uneven pavement from subtle sinking of a roadway can create hazards for vehicles that do not expect a change in grade. Roads that are not constructed to the right grade will not drain correctly and can cause water to pool thereby creating a hazard for drivers.
These are just some examples of how poor integrity of bridges and roadways can lead to accidents for drivers and pedestrians. When a bridge or a roadway malfunctions and collapses or fails, persons on or around that structure can be severely injured. It is possible for those individuals to hold certain parties responsible. Those parties might be the engineers, the architects and/or local governments. Our firm can investigate the incident and determine who might be held responsible, so that you can seek justice and receive the compensation you deserve.
The Georgia personal injury attorneys of Montlick and Associates are available to assist clients throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.