Although it may appear to be a safer place to pull over at times, the shoulder of the road is one of the most dangerous places for a driver. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to pull over on the road, it is critical to remain alert during your time on the shoulder. It should never be used for parking or transportation. Hitting the shoulder of the road is risky and can lead to an increased possibility of accidents that could make it more difficult for other drivers to navigate your vehicle.
If an accident occurs on the shoulder of a road, many factors can affect how liability is determined. At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, our skilled Atlanta personal injury attorneys make it their business to represent those who have been injured by the negligence of others. Our long history of successful personal injury cases has given us a wealth of knowledge and experience — which we use to get our clients the compensation they deserve.
Call us today at (470) 323-8779 or complete our online form on our website to request a free case review with one of our injury and accident attorneys.
Causes of Shoulder Of The Road Accidents
The shoulder is used to provide space for emergency stop and road maintenance operations. Although shoulder run-off accidents are not as common as standard sideswipe or head-on collisions, they can be severe and deadly. Many drivers do not take precautionary measures when pulling over on the side of the road, leading to catastrophic accidents. The most common causes of shoulder road accidents are:
- Vehicle overheating: When driving, it’s imperative to keep an eye on your car’s temperature gauge. If it goes up toward the red line, drivers pull over to ensure their engine is operational before continuing.
- Brakes fail or Flat tire: These can happen due to improper maintenance of a vehicle and when it happens, drivers have little but no choice but to pull over the shoulder.
- Unfamiliar roads: Drivers who don’t know where they’re going may find themselves on the shoulder without realizing it because they don’t know where they’re supposed to be going in the first place
- Pulling over during an emergency is another common cause of shoulder road accidents. While this may seem like a good idea at the time, it’s actually much safer to slow down gradually and then use your turn signal well in advance of any exit or lane change.
Other reasons include car accidents, dead battery, mechanical failure (such as an alternator or starter), running out of gas, driver illness or injury, distracted driving, and exhaustion or drowsiness. Any of these reasons for stopping a vehicle can be justifiable. Still, parking on the shoulder of a road is hazardous due to its increased risk of collision with other vehicles and its obstruction of the shoulder lane.
How Do I Prevent a Shoulder of The Road Accidents?
Shoulder of road accidents can be prevented by reducing driver negligence and making sure all vehicles are in good working order. Some steps that drivers can take to avoid a shoulder of the road accident include:
- Maintaining awareness at all times and avoiding distractions such as cell phones
- Inspecting tires regularly to make sure they are properly inflated
- Getting regular tune-ups and oil changes to prevent mechanical issues while driving
- Observe the speed limit and follow signs
- Drive at an appropriate speed to suit the conditions.
- Be aware of vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists and anticipate their movements
- Be aware of any blind spots when maneuvering your vehicle
- Use your mirrors so that you know what is behind you
- Look all around before emerging from a junction – across the pavement and over the brow of hills if necessary
Establishing the Liability in a Shoulder of the Road Accidents in Atlanta
Georgia has laws that dictate what drivers can and cannot do when pulling onto the shoulder of the road. Whether you are the driver who hit the other vehicle or the driver who was hit, it is crucial to understand how fault is determined in a shoulder of the road accident.
- If the other driver was driving recklessly or disregarding others on the road.
- Whether there were any mechanical failures with any vehicles involved in the accident.
- If any of the drivers were distracted while operating their vehicles.
- Whether any of the drivers were intoxicated or under the influence of drugs while driving.
- The weather conditions at the time of the accident and whether they contributed to it.
- Any hazards on or near the shoulder of the road before and at the time of the accident contributed to it.
In almost all shoulder the road accidents in Atlanta, the injured party will be able to pursue compensation from the negligent driver. For a monetary claim to take place, however, it must be proven that the driver at fault had a duty of care to the other party and breached that duty. Even if a driver properly drives on the right side of the road in their own lane, they can still be found liable for accidents involving those legally driving on road shoulders.
Speak with Experienced Shoulder of the Road Accident Attorneys in Atlanta
Many accidents happen when a driver pulls onto the shoulder of the road and remains in the lane. Failure to properly pull over can increase the likelihood of an accident occurring as oncoming traffic may mistake your vehicle for a vehicle traveling in another lane.
At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, we dedicate our practice to fighting for the rights of those injured by someone else’s negligence. We understand that you may be overwhelmed, confused, or afraid after an accident. That is why we want to help you fully understand your legal options to make the best decisions for you and your loved ones. Our attorneys are committed to seeing you through the legal process as we help you find justice and recover the compensation you need to begin recovering from your injuries.
We have successfully helped clients recover millions of dollars for their injuries and losses. Call us today at (470) 323-8779 or complete this online form and let us provide you with a free case consultation.
